Grandma B Tells Her Friend to ""Fess Up!"

 Grandma Lu had been over to her friend's home to make sure that she had a hot meal to eat. She and her elderly friend had a lovely chat and then it was time for her friend's nap. She was a firm believer that sleep was a healer and that is what she wished for her friend. As she was driving back to her own home she thought about that picture and silver dollar that was in the old spittoon in her office/closet. "I should probably through those things away. I have no idea why I keep them. K.R. was always the black sheep of the family. He's been in jail since I was just a young girl. Uncle Rex raised him because Mom and Dad just couldn't handle him. He was always trying to get rich quick and sometimes it backfired on him and he would land in county jail even when he was just a teenager. Uncle Rex insisted that he go to law school. K.R. hated it, but did as he was told. The whole time he lived in Springfield he was conning people out of their money. The last I heard was what I included in last year's series. Poor Allie. K.R. told her that her Uncle Bill had left her a ranch. She believed him! Well, he did leave her a junk yard Jeep and a tear drop trailer that was on it's last legs. She found a letter in the glove compartment that said there was two thousand dollars for her  and a key to the main house located just outside of Master City, Texas. She was next to homeless so she headed for Texas on a wish and a prayer.

Grandma Lu walked into her office/closet and smiled. "Oh that B. She can really clean. I just hope that she hadn't seen that picture. It kind of looks like Fran in the old days, so maybe she didn't think a thing of it if she did see it. She could hear the phone ringing. When she looked she saw that the caller ID said Marlee's Grandma. "Sorry, B. I just can't deal with this today. I'm just going to sit here in front of the computer and decide whether to send Marlee and her family back home or leave them there. The decision I make will either end this series or it will continue for quite some time. I really like writing about enchanted forests and handsome prince charming's and beautiful princess's, but I like writing about more grownup stories too. Goodness sakes, just what am I going to do? she said to herself.

"Well, you can tell me who this picture is and why you have it and a silver dollar in the bottom of a spittoon! Are you keeping secrets, old friend? Marlee thought it was Fran, but I knew better. The writing on the back is poor, but I read K.R. and Master City on the back. Is K.R. real? Fess up, girl. Who is the real K.R.?"

B Finds An Unexplained Picture And A Silver Dollar

 Grandma B was worried about her old friend. When she had gone over to her home the other day she had actually fallen asleep at the table while she and Marlee had been discussing how the story Grandma Lu was writing should go. "She's just doing too much. I told her I would help her clean to give her a break. I'll call over there to see if this is a good time. Marlee is anxious to get started." Grandma Lu's husband answered the phone. He told her that he was getting better, but would be leaving for physical therapy soon. She was welcome to organize his wife's office/closet. "Now it's a real mess in there; just warning you!" She laughed and said, "Oh, I know. I was in there the other day. I'll come over in a few minutes if that's okay with you." He assured her that it was. Grandma B and Marlee gathered up their cleaning supplies and walked down the street to help their friend. When they walked into the small cluttered room they both just shook their heads and wondered just where to start.

"Grandma B I know there is a window in here, but I can barely see. Do you know where the light switch is?" Her grandma flipped the switch that was by the door. "There now we can see. Okay, this is going to take some time to organize. She has clothes, her hats, Christmas, Halloween, and spring all mixed together. Here is her computer. Oh look, she has your picture and some other pictures on her little desk. She sure does love children, doesn't she?" Marlee grinned, and said, "Yes, she does, but it doesn't look like she likes to clean." B said, "She has had a busy holiday season. Her husband hurt his hip plus she's been caring for an ill friend. Let's get this done and then we can go to my house and bake her some cookies. She has a sweet tooth and loves the cookies that we make her."

While Grandma B was putting all the Christmas things in totes and putting Grandma Lu's hats all in one tote she heard Marlee laughing. "What did you find, Marlee?" Marlee said, "I found a picture of Grandma Lu's husband. It's all yukky and standing by a horse. They don't have a horse do they? Looks like there is writing on the back. Here, can you see what it says?"

B turned the picture over and read the old scrawling on the back. "No, this couldn't be. Grandma Lu's husband could not be related to the character in the Double D Ranch series. He was a rascal and ended up in jail. Surely not."  She looked over at Marlee and said, "Where did you find this, Marlee?" Marlee said, "Well, when I was moving things to make room for this old pot that had a Christmas tree in it the tree fell out and so did that old picture. Who is that? It's hard to see. This was in the bottom of it too. Looks like a silver coin of some kind. It's not a quarter. What is it, B"

B looked over where Marlee was pointing. The pot was an antique spittoon that had been subbing for a Christmas tree stand. B grinned and said, "I think Grandma Lu has a secret. Let's put the picture back in the pot as you call it and then we will find a box for this little Christmas tree. Put that coin in the bottom of it too. It's probably a souvenir. If we hurry we can get this all done and still have time for baking. If Grandma Lu comes home early enough this afternoon maybe she won't be so tired and we can have cookies with her. How does that sound?" Marlee agreed and soon they had Grandma Lu's closet all organized and looking great.

Later that afternoon Grandma Lu came home and found her husband snoozing in his chair. "Wake up my dear, and tell me all about your day. How did Physical Therapy go? It's helping, but making you sore. Well, just keep doing your exercises and soon we can go on our walks again. They were? Marlee came with B? They what? You have got to be kidding. She quickly walked into her office and couldn't believe her eyes. Her office/closet was clean as a whistle. "Oh my! What a good friend that girl is." Then she saw the old copper spittoon sitting by the window. Bonnie had polished it and it just gleamed. It no longer had her little Christmas tree in it. "Oh no. Oh no no no. Oh dear. She quickly ran over and tipped the spittoon over. There in the bottom was the old picture and the silver dollar. "Thank goodness they didn't see this. I believe I'll put a stocking cap in this and cover you up. There is no need for the skeleton in my closet to show up. I probably should just throw this old picture away, but it gave me inspiration for last year's stories. Sorry, dear brother, but I will keep your secret, you jail bird you." She shook her head; blew a kiss towards the old picture and went to answer the phone. It was B...

B Whispered Happy New Year To Her Elderly Friend

 Marlee and her Grandma B were sitting in B's kitchen talking like they often did. The subject of Grandma Lu came up. "B, is there something wrong with Grandma Lu? She never comes over anymore and you haven't talked about her for a long time. Plus she hasn't written a story for almost a month! Is she sick?" "No, Grandma Lu isn't sick, but she has been really busy. Her husband hurt his back and a friend of hers has been needing help. She's been having company for Christmas and so has her friend. There has been doctor appointments that she has been giving rides to and the poor thing is about worn to a nubbin." "Marlee asked, "What is a nubbin?" Her Grandma B laughed and said, "Something that is almost worn out. An ear of corn that is really small is referred to as a nubbin. So is a pencil that has been used, sharpened, used and sharpened so many times it is really short. People call that a nubbin. Anyway I think it's probably time I stick my nose into her business and help her out. I'll give her a call and tell her I'm taking her some fresh baked cookies. That will cheer her up then I'll help her put away Christmas. I noticed the other day her tree was still up. She's usually the first one on the block to put her tree away. Why don't you go out to play then we will go over to see her." Marlee asked if she could go to Grandma Lu's house and visit for awhile while B was getting the cookies ready. Her grandma said, "Sure, go ahead, just be careful crossing the street and be sure to knock before you go in."

When Marlee got to Grandma Lu's house no one answered the door. She knew she was home because the car was there. She opened the door and walked into the living room. There was Grandma Lu's husband sound asleep in her chair. He was still in his pajamas! 

Then she walked into the kitchen and said, "Grandma Lu are you okay? Grandma Lu!"

Marlee still didn't hear anything. Then she grinned and thought, "I know where she is. She's in her office writing a story. She's okay. I just know she is."

She quickly walked into the room where Grandma Lu had written so many stories about her and her sister and many other children over the years. There she was on her hands and knees pulling out boxes and talking to herself. "Grandma Lu! What a mess this room is! What are you doing? Where is your computer? I can't even see the floor! Oh, Grandma Lu, you have dolls with broken legs in here with a turkey sitting on top of them! Why do you have your Christmas tree in that copper pot and there are rolls of Christmas paper sticking out of the closet door and all your hats are coming out of a suitcase. Why is there a Halloween skeleton on this old table? I'm going to go get my Grandma B. I think you need help 'cause it smells bad in here too."

About that time Grandma B said, "Girl, you are so right. Come on old friend. Off the floor and into the kitchen. Let's have some cookies and a cup of coffee and then we will tackle your store room or office. Why don't you ever ask anyone for help? Come on!"

Over a cup of coffee Grandma Lu caught her breath and explained that she had been so busy helping her friends and her husband she had not had time for writing, cooking or for that matter cleaning. The Christmas decorations and tree just had had to wait for last. She did say that her husband was at long last getting better, but was still in some pain and was not able to help her like he used to. 

Marlee said, "Do you think you will be able to write anymore stories?" 

Grandma Lu grinned at her and patted her hand. "Of course, I will, but writing stories is my hobby so I'm afraid my stories are on hold for a little bit. Oh, B, the lights are still on on our little tree. They are run off of batteriees. Do you think you could turn them off for me? See there I just asked for some help." They all laughed a little and drank their drinks and ate B's delicious cookiees.

Marlee said, "That's okay. I can wait, but remember you left us in Texas because Mom bought a ranch by accident at an auction. I think you should bring us home when you start writing again." Marlee's Grandma B grinned and said, "Oh, I thought I was going to Texas to help you solve the mystery of the old old book that your friend also Marlee had picked out at the library. I don't know about having you come back to Missouri yet, because your dad thinks that there is still silver in that old mine on the ranch. He wants to stay." Grandma B and Marlee continued to argue and discuss the story line of how Grandma Lu should finish the story. When Marlee looked over at Grandma Lu to plead her case of coming back home she was so surprised. Grandma Lu had fallen fast asleep right there at the table. Grandma B said, "That does it. Lu, come on. Let's get you down for a nap. Marlee and I will put your office back together for you. That's our New Years gift to you. Now you rest."

She walked her elderly friend to her bedroom. Covered her up with her favorite throw and whispered, "Happy New Year, old friend. Happy New Year."

Mylee Has Questions About Santa And His Elves

 Mylee had so many questions about Santa Claus. She knew that he lived at the North Pole, but where exactly was that North Pole? Then there were elves. She had always heard that Santa needed help making toys and gifts for good little boys and girls, but how many did he need? Did he need ten elves or a hundred? She had looked at a globe and the world was really big. Then she had heard about one of the elves that sat on a shelf. Was he lazy? Was he naughty? Why would Santa want a lazy naughty elf to help him make gifts for little boys and girls? She just had so many questions. One day she decided to ask her grandma about this. She had heard her mom and her grandma talking one day about the elf on the shelf, but it seemed like to her he was all over the place. One day he was in the refrigerator getting into their food. Then one morning she discovered that he had slept by her bed all night! She had found him on the Christmas tree and even in the bathtub floating in hot chocolate and marshmallows. He had left a terrible mess for her mama to clean up. She knew he was naughty, but in spite of herself she laughed when she saw him in the tub. This elf just did not sound or act like the kind of elf that Santa would want working with him.

One day Mylee went to her grandma's house while her mom was at work. "Nana, I have so many questions about Santa and his elves. Do you have time to explain it to me? I really don't understand why Santa would want a naughty elf at the North Pole? Where is that elf now? Did he run away from the North Pole? Oh no! Nana, is he homeless? We might have to keep him."

Mylee's grandma said, "You know what? I think I heard that there is a book about Santa's Elf Mates that might explain some of your questions. Some questions we never do find the answers to, but we can use our imaginations to make up our own answers. Our imaginations let us change things in our mind and make us smile. Right now I can imagine what you look like with your shoes on and a pair of freshly washed hands," she laughed. Mylee made a silly face but quickly went and washed her hands and put her shoes on. She was going to find the answer to all of her questions at the library. She just knew it.

When they walked in there were several grownups and children in the library. Some were reading books, and in one room there was a lady reading a story to some children. Mylee's grandma had explained that they needed to be very quiet in the library. She took her Nana's hand and walked up to the desk where the librarian was working. She listened while her grandma asked her some questions. She quietly spoke and pointed to some shelves not far from her desk. There was a Christmas tree all decorated with lights and decorations. The shelves of Santa and elf books were nearby. Mylee's grandma walked quietly up and down the shelves. She reached up and found a book. She quietly leafed through it and said. "Mylee, some of your questions are answered in this book. You might not be able to read all the words, but I will help you. There is a little chair by the tree. Go sit there and I will be right back with a chair so that we can look at the book together."

                                              &&&&&

 Marlee was so excited to have her mom read the new book to her, but something wasn't right. Her mom looked funny as she opened up the book. "What's wrong, Mommie? Don't you like the book that I picked out at the library?"

Her mom looked at her and said, "I don't think this is the same book that you picked out, Marlee. This book should never had been on a shelf at the library, Honey. It's a one of a kind book written by a queen in a faraway country hundreds of years ago. See the inscription on the inside of the book, Queen Harleigh 1782  Dedicated to all of those that have the courage to dream and do. This book should actually be in a museum. I wonder how in the world it ever got to Texas and in a little library like ours. See how brittle the pages are, Marlee? Books this old should never be touched because of the oil in our skin. We need to return this book immediately and see where on earth it came from. It seems like we have a mystery on our hands, Marlee. 

Marlee was a little interested, but would rather have kept the book. She loved unicorns and dreamed of being a princess with her own castle and her very own unicorn someday. "Yes, someday I will own a unicorn farm. I might even let my little brother touch one if he's good. Okay, Mom. I'm ready to go back to the library, but let's pick out a book I don't have to give back for awhile, okay?"

 But her little brother said, "Mom, I don't feel so good. I need to go to bed. Sorry, Marlee."   

And sick he was, so the old old book was put in a safe place until it could be returned to the library or it's original owner.

        

Life Is One Big Adventure Filled With Many Little Ones

 She was so very lonely. She had no brothers or sisters and no friends at all. Her mother was the queen and was always too busy with national affairs to spend much time with her. She spent much of her time daydreaming of being a princess or a queen in a magic kingdom all of her own. She would have parties and lots of friends to keep her company. She smiled as she picked up her favorite book. "Yes, I would have unicorns and rainbows to keep me company as well. It would be a magical place. There would be no lonely children in her kingdom. There would be flowers and kittens and beautiful lakes and of course, swans that gave her friends rides to the top of the rainbows that appeared through her window every morning. Oh and the castle it would be pink and sit high on a hill. There would be beautiful brooks of shimmering water that would make tinkling music that would make her smile. Now where was I? Oh yes, this page must have been where I fell asleep. Mother says I waste my time reading about things that aren't real. Are not unicorns real? I think that they probably were at one time, now there are very few of them. Yes, right here it says that they need warm weather and sunny skies. Yes, my castle will always have warm weather. They only have one horn on their head and it is full of magical powder. I wonder how that works..."

                                                             &&&&&

She really had a problem. Whatever was she going to be when she grew up? People were asking her all the time! "I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up! I would love to be a princess and ride unicorns and climb to the top of a rainbow, but I really like to dress up and dance and look beautiful. But then I have really thought about being a farmer and raising chickens because I think chickens are the very best animals in the world. Oh, dear. I wonder when I have to make up my mind? I guess I'll ask Mom. I'm sure she knows what age I need to be before I have to make up my mind."

Her mom picked her up from school that day and Marlee saw her chance to ask her question. "Mom, how old do I have to be to make up my mind what I want to be when I grow up? Old people keep asking me and I don't know yet."

Her mom smiled and said, "Oh you have lots of time to choose, Marlee. You need to get older and enjoy being young. You love to dance now, but maybe when you are older you would like to do something else. No worries, just enjoy what you like to do now like painting and cooking. Let's go pick up your little brother, okay? How would you like to stop at the library on the way home? Maybe you can find a book that you would like."

Marlee loved going to the library. There was a section of books just for children her age. Her little brother found a book and so did she. It was a book about unicorns. It was really old and hard to read, but it had wonderful pictures in it of a little girl living high on a mountain in a castle that was pink. She couldn't wait for her mom to read it to her.

                                                       &&&&&&

Marlee's mom and dad were having a really serious conversation outside the camper. "I really want to go home. I think Dad wants to stay in Texas. Mom wants to go home too." She could hear the voices outside and thought about her Grandma B. "I think I will call her. She needs to come to Texas and see if she can't fix things. Besides that I miss her and the mini farm. I miss my friends too. I wonder if maybe that girl I saw at the grocery store would come to visit us too. I can't believe her name is Marlee too. That's fun. I need to tell B about her. We have the same name, but we are really different. I wonder what she likes to do? There's that spider! Come here you are going outside!" When she opened the door to let the spider out she heard her dad say, "We are going to stay here for awhile. I need to check out that silver mine. It could mean that our kids and their kids would never have to want for anything in their lives. I just have to do this. Please understand."

Since Marlee loved adventures like her dad she decided that she would ask him if he would take her to go see the silver mine. She loved time with her dad too. Yes, that was a good plan. She would wait to call B. Yes tomorrow she and her dad would have an exciting adventure, she just knew it. Marlee smiled as she thought of her old friend, Grandma Lu. She always said "That life is just one big adventure filled with all kinds of little ones. Have all the adventures that you can, my girl. Have as many as you can and take your friends with you because adventures need to be shared."

"Yes, tomorrow, Dad and I will have an adventure. Whit and Mom can have an adventure while we are gone. "Let's get ready for bed, Whit. Tomorrow should be a fun day."

They Found Old Pictures And A Moving Wall!

 Marlee was getting tired of being cooped up in the camper. Yes they had gone to the ranch and visited with the horses and the other animals, but she was getting tired of doing the same old things. Her mom and dad had talked about the ranch having a silver mine on it and maybe being rich someday. What did that mean; being rich someday. Were they going home or not? She missed her Grandma B in Missouri. Her other grandma, Lollie, had come to visit, but she had gone back home. She needed somebody to play with other than her little sister, Whitlee. She suddenly had an idea. "Mom, can we Facetime, B? I miss her. I miss Willow too and Stashia, and the mini farm. I think I'm getting what they call sick of not being home. No that's not right." Her mom chuckled and said, "Homesick, Marlee. That sounds about right. I'm a little homesick myself. We can Facetime B maybe tonight. I thought maybe today we would go over to the main house and do a little exploring. The other couple said that they don't want it. They said as soon as they pay us off they will probably tear down the big house and build another new one. The thing is, your dad and I are not sure if we want to sell yet. He's in town now. He is at the courthouse checking on the  mine that that old book of yours talked about. If it still has silver in it we might move to Texas. We just have to do a lot of digging and see first before we make any decisions. Okay?"

Marlee looked at the picture of her and Willow that was on her mom's phone. "I sure do miss them. Willow is getting so big."

After breakfast that morning Marlee, Whitlee, and their mom went over to the big house to explore. It was almost empty. The furniture had sold at the auction so actually there was little to see. Marlee didn't like the big old house. It smelled funny and she could see weeds growing over the windows. They were upstairs when she heard Whitlee yelling for them to come see what she had found. They saw that there was a wall that moved. It actually moved all by itself! There were old dolls and books and stuff in there. "I'm not going in there. There's all kinds of spiders and cobwebs on stuff. Yuk!" shivered Marlee. By this time Marlee's mom walked into the deserted room. "Marlee, come here. Look at this picture. Wasn't there a picture like this in that old book that you bought?" She dusted it off on her pants and said, "Yes, I'm sure this is the same man riding a horse. It was some kind of horse show in Kansas City. Let's take this picture back to the camper with us. Maybe there is something on the back of it that can tell us who this is. Interesting room, that's for sure. Eww! What's that running around in here? Oh my gosh, I think there's rats in this house. Come on girls, let's get back to the camper. We might have a mystery here. Then how about a picnic? Sound fun? No, you can't have a doll, Whit." Even though it was a hot day in Texas, she felt herself shiver. She shook her head as she walked down the stairs. "I do love spooky stuff in movies and books, but in a real house, not so much," she thought.

  When they got back to the camper Marlee asked if she could take the old picture out of the old metal frame. Her mother said that she would do it because the glass in the frame was broken. I'm going to have to be very careful not to cut myself on this old glass."

Marlee's mom found that she had company when she was carefully picking out the broken glass. A spider scurried across her knuckles on it's way to a safer place to live. "Oh! Did you see where that spider went to? Girls! Did you see that spider? Oh well, I'll soon find it I'm sure. She needs to be outside."

Marlee said, "So how do you know it was a girl spider, Mom?"

About that time Marlee's dad came into the camper grinning. "Yes, Mom. How do you know it was a girl spider? I'm curious myself." About that time the girls ran and grabbed him around the legs and begged for him to go outside with them. "We are going to have a picnic, Dad. Mom said."

He looked over to see what his wife was doing. "Where did you get that old frame? In the attic at the main house? Can I see it a minute?" He took it over to the window and rubbed it with his thumb. The sun glinted off the frame and his smile widened when he looked at his wife. "Well, this just about sums it up, my dear. I'm thinking that this frame is silver, I mean real silver probably mined right here on this very ranch. The man at the courthouse affirmed that there is indeed a silver mine on this property, but that it is closed off because it probably was mined out and is a danger to people that might wander in. He gave me a map and instructions on how to find it, but warned me not to go inside. He said the timbers that keep the mine from collapsing are so old that a person could get buried alive in there. He said he remembered the couple that owned it a long time ago. He said his name was Edward and hers was Virginia, but they are long gone." Again his wife shivered and said, "So let's go home as soon as we can, okay? I'm not liking it here anymore. Too many unanswered questions, spiders and rats. I'm ready to pack."

"Did Mom tell you that the big house has walls that move? Did she tell you that there was a silver clock up there too? I bet there are ghosts up there in that old icky room. I bet there are!" Marlee started chasing her sister outside making scary gestures and howling noises soon to be followed by their dad who was laughing and teasing their mom. "I guess this ranch is kinda a fun place, but I really would like to go home," Marlee thought.                       

Strangers In The Night

She loved the rain, but something didn't seem right about this storm. "I sure hope Mother Nature isn't upset about something. That sky doesn't look good at all. Oh, man this rain is crazy. It's coming down in sheets. I might as well turn the lights out and go downstairs to the safe room. First I'll turn on the radio and see if there are any warnings out for this area."

The drenched man came tearing through the door and yelled, "Do you have any rooms for rent? My friend and I are stranded out here. She blew a tire on her truck. We both have horses to care for. This is just a mess, I'm telling you. So do you  have a couple of rooms?"

"Yes, I do have some rooms. You need to get your friend in here and I'll will take you to the safe room. I have to notify the rest of the folks. The electricity might go out soon if this keeps up. Go! Don't worry about paying me yet. You need to get your friend now!"

With that she went door to door waking people up and telling them to get dressed, grab their important papers and handbags and follow her to the safe room. She didn't have time to think about the man at this point, but the fact he said they had horses bothered her. Oh how she loved her horses. "I don't have time for wool gathering now. I have to make sure these folks are safe."

About that time the lights started to flicker. The room looked a pinkish gray from the neon lights that were giving it their all to light up the parking lot. Soon they too gave up and she was in the dark except for her phone. She urged all of her guests to follow her. She told them to keep calm and follow the hallway with their hands if possible. She felt a rush of wind and stomping of feet. She knew it was the last couple to come in. "Come on quick. Follow me. There is a tornado headed our way. Come quick!"

She led her customers quickly but safely to the underground room that had been used by many travelers over the years. There were some cots and even a crib for little ones if needed. There were lanterns and bottles of water. There was a hand-crank weather radio if the phones went out or if God forbid the cell service went out.

The room was shadowy with lantern light, but almost welcoming to the strangers. They started introducing themselves to each other. When it was Maddison's turn she looked at the man she once was engaged to be married to, took a deep breath and said, "My name is Maddison. I'm on my way to the Double D Ranch. I'm hoping to buy it if the price is right." 

"Over my dead body you are buying that ranch. I'm on my way there, I'll have you know. That ranch is mine no matter how much the old man wants for it."

Virginia thought she would be sick to her stomach. Who were these people and why did they want to buy her and Edward's ranch? Surely he wasn't going to sell his dream. They had made a good living on that ranch. The only reason she finally left was that he was never home. He was always at the mine trying to get more and more money. She wondered if he sometimes forgot that he was ever married. She shook her head and wondered how many years it had been since she had been "home." 

Virginia's thoughts immediately returned the eminent danger of the storm and her responsibility to her customer's safety. She saw in the corner a young mother singing softly to her baby girl to comfort her.

Against the wall was a young mother of two. She had gotten her two little ones to sleep, but was pacing and looking at her phone. "I can't get service down here. Do you have cell service down here? she asked Virginia. "Yes, I normally do. I'm worried something has happened to the tower. We will all have to be patient. I have a weather radio that we can listen to to find out what's happening out there. Just remember you all are safe down here. This room has protected many folks over the years."

Virginia thought about the man she had loved and married and wondered if he was safe from this wicked storm. "I think I will text him to see if he's alright. He probably won't answer me though. I'll just let it be. It's been so many years now. Yes, it's better to let it be."

Edward woke to the smoke alarm screaming. He sat up in his chair and wondered for a minute where he was. He couldn't see across the room. It was raining in his living room. Over the high pitched noise of the smoke alarm he could hear hail hitting the roof and breaking the upstairs windows. He needed to get out and see to the horses. But first he had to get his legs to work. He couldn't feel his legs for some reason. "Virginia, I love you and I always will. Save the ranch."

The next morning the county search and rescue team made a thorough search of the house then it's bunkhouse and barns. There was no sign of the owner or any of the ranch hands. The ranch was deserted.

Love Is Not Gifts And 'Maybe' Is A Very Long Word

 He had a beautiful home and a warm fire. He had a ranch that was bought and paid for. He had memories of what he considered a happy life and a few pictures. He haphazardly looked through an old photo album that his wife had left behind. "She had asked me for very little and that's exactly what I gave her. She wanted to travel, I wanted to make money and get rich. She wanted to go fishing and I told her we needed to stay on the ranch and take care of the horses. She told me one day that she had always dreamed of riding a motorcycle and seeing the country. I told her she was nuts; you could get killed on one of those things. After months of telling me that's all she wanted for Christmas I bought her one. We even had our picture taken on it and she had New Years cards made. She sent them out wishing everyone a happy New Year. He looked up on the wall and frowned when he saw her happy face. "A motorcycle wasn't really what she wanted. I guess she didn't want all the money and jewelry I gave her either. She wanted my attention and my company. I gave her an empty chair and half eaten meals because the mine and the ranch was more important to me than she was."

"I just didn't realize how rich I was with her as my wife. The mine wasn't my wealth, it was her love and her companionship. Now since she has left I am the poorest of the poor. I want nothing to do with this ranch anymore. I haven't listed it with a realtor yet, but I've let it be known that I'm done ranching."

The older man paid no attention to the weather on his television. There was a tornado warning out for his area. He had left a cigar burning on the coffee table that went unnoticed as his eyes burned with unshed tears. He had finally fallen asleep after many nights of pacing the floor at night and watching for her car coming down the driveway during the long and lonely days.

                                                            &&&&&

Through the torrential rain and the bitter words that were screamed at each other in competition with the raging wind, Maddison and the man she loved to hate settled her horse and changed her tire. Her spare was worn and not capable of getting her far. There was no choice but to stay the night in the nearest motel.

She followed the dratted man slowly and ever so carefully until she saw his blinkers flash and his truck and trailer turn off the interstate. "Oh goodie. That looks like bed bug city. I can't believe he intends for me to stay in that horrible place. I'd rather stay in my truck. I will not do it!" However, she did pull into the parking lot and watched his stooped back fight the rain and walk through the office door. "Well, good for him. He can get eaten up for all I care." She was so cold and wet and for that matter she was starving! She hadn't eaten anything, but a candy bar for hours. "If he was half a man he would buy me  a can of soda, or some chips. But he's so selfish all he thinks about is himself. A skunk is always blank and white. They never ever change their colors. That's what he is; a skunk for sure."

                                                             &&&&&&

He was relieved to hear the clerk behind the desk tell him that there were two rooms left in his motel. He paid for them and turned around and looked out the window. The rain was coming down in sheets. It was all he could do to make out Maddie's truck and trailer. She would always be Maddie to him. She had been the love of his life, but chose his path of training and showing horses instead of being her husband. "I just wasn't ready to settle down, but she was. We each had our own dreams and paths to follow. Oh well, maybe we can be friends. This mishap might give us a chance to catch up on each other's lives. Maybe is a very long word sometimes, especially in Maddie's book." He shook his head and went to the door and waved at her to come in. Nothing. "Oh boy, that's Maddie for you. She'd rather stay out there with a tornado coming than come inside with me. Stubborn stubborn woman.! If she even thinks that I will go out there and force her to come inside she has another think coming!" With that he opened the door and ran out to Maddie's truck to do just that.

Maddie saw his hand on her window, but couldn't believe that he would brave the storm to come and get her. "No, go away. I'm staying out here. I'm not going to get eaten up with bed bugs or what else could be living in that place. No!"

Just then she felt the truck move and rock to one side.  Her door jerked open and she felt herself being dragged through the storm into safety. He really was her love even after all these years of being a jerk.

Marlee Wonders If Her Picture Will Be In Grandma Lu's Stories

 Marlee was looking at the pictures on her I Pad that Grandma Lu had put in the stories she had written. She would smile, frown, and sometimes laugh as she scrolled through the many adventures. Grandma Lu was nice, but she didn't get to see her very often any more. She was a big girl now and was in school. Grandma Lu, Joann, and Grandma B used to go out for lunch and have a good time, but like B told her; 'Things change as we get older.' Today she didn't have school. There was some kind of teacher meeting she thought.

Grandma Lu still wrote stories, but she wasn't in them all the time, just sometimes. Lately she was in pictures wearing her prairie dress. She loved that dress and so did Whitlee. Hers was pink and Whitlee's was yellow. She had worn that dress several times in the last couple of years. B told her that the latest story was in Texas. Supposedly she and her family had gone to Texas on vacation and her mom had accidently bought a horse ranch. "That would be fun. I like horses. Mom used to have a horse. I've seen pictures of me on it when I was a baby."

She heard Grandma B talking on the phone. Soon her grandma came in and said, "How would you like to go over to Grandma Lu's house? She asked if we could help her clean out some cupboards that she can't reach. It's hard for her to stoop over nowadays." Marlee grinned and said, "Sure!"

When they got to Grandma Lu's house she got a great big hug. It had been a long long time since they had seen each other. She and B got busy and grabbed up some cleaning rags and went to work on those bottom cupboards. It seemed like fun working along side her grandma, but out of the corner of her eye she saw Grandma Lu out on her porch cleaning. "Is it alright if I go see what Grandma Lu is doing? Maybe she needs my help out on the porch too." Grandma B grinned and said, "Sure. Go see if you can help. I'll be done here in a minute then I'll come out there too."

Well, it was about fifteen minutes and B was finished. She decided she'd better see what Marlee was up to. This is what she saw when she followed the sounds of giggles and laughter. Marlee and Grandma Lu were playing shuffleboard!

"Hmm, did you really need help cleaning cupboards, old friend, or did you just want a little company today? she grinned. That looks like fun, Marlee!"

After a little more shuffleboard they all had pizza and had a grand time. On the way home Marlee said, "That was so much fun! I wonder if Grandma Lu will put my picture in the stories playing shuffleboard." Grandma B said, "I wouldn't be a bit surprised, Marlee. Not a bit."

The house seemed awfully quiet after B and Marlee left. She mentioned it to her husband and said, "Yeah, they really livened the place up, didn't they? What's for supper?"

What do you mean? You just ate pizza! I'm going to go write for awhile. We'll figure out something for supper, but not quite yet. You go watch your tv. I'll be around in a bit."

"After their visit it's kind of hard to remember where I was at in the story. Oh yes, Madison had a blowout on her front tire and the weather was terrible. She was on her way to The Double D Ranch to see if it was still up for sale. It was in the '60s. Someone had stopped to help her. Someone she hadn't seen for many years and had hoped to never see again. Okay, I'd better see what I can do for those two. They both want the same thing; the ranch. Is it possible for them both to live their dream? You need to work at it sometimes, that's for sure. I definitely think that these two need a lot of work. Mercy, they are stubborn; the two of them! Let's see what I can do."

If It Wasn't For Bad Luck She Wouldn't Have Any Luck

 As Madison was driving she noticed some black clouds in the south. "I'm sure my luck will be that I'll be headed into a storm. I have my personal black cloud that follows me around just for the fun of it. I've got to quit thinking like that. I'm off to Texas to start a new life. I'm just hoping that the old man that used to own the Double D hasn't sold it yet."

She looked in the rear view mirror to check on the horse trailer. Cooter, and her love, her only love at the moment seemed to settle into the trip quite easily. That made her smile when she remembered the last time she had ridden him. What she really wanted to do was barrel racing. When she saw youngsters at the shows she always had this feeling that she would be a good teacher. "Yes, if I get the Double D that will be a large part of my life. I'd love to see the smiles and the sparkling eyes of the kids when they show their stuff; stuff that I can teach them."

Sure enough with each mile she drove the sky got darker. "Well, this is just great. I suppose I'd better find a place to stay the night. I'm not anxious to drive through a wicked looking storm today." She started looking for motels that were close to the highway and had large parking lots. Large drops started to splat on her windshield. "Come on, people. I have to find a place. I'm not looking forward to this at all!" About that time her truck veered to the right and at the same time she heard a loud bang. "No! I just blew a tire. How could this happen to me at the same time it's raining cats and dogs."

The sky had suddenly turned an odd shade of green and black with a wind that made her heavy truck seem like a child's toy. "Surely, there isn't going to be a tornado. No, no, no." She edged her truck and trailer over to the side of the road. Noticing that there was barely enough room to let traffic by her. "Cooter is going crazy back there. I've got to get out there and reassure him he is safe. I have to be good at this and make him believe me. This is going to take some doing." About that time a crack of thunder was so loud it made her ears ring. She noticed that it was getting colder too. Soon the hail hit her truck with a vengeance. She could hear Cooter in the trailer. He was scared to death. She could see the size of the hail stones were getting bigger and bigger. They were getting as big as golf balls so she couldn't get out of the truck yet. Just as her windshield cracked with the biggest hail stone she'd ever seen she could see a hand banging on the window and a black shadow.

                                                            &&&&&

He saw the truck and trailer swerve and then pull over to the side of the road. "Pretty fancy driving there, fella. You picked a terrible time to have a blowout though. I'm really glad I threw an oil skin coat in the truck. You just never know what the weather is going to be like in Texas. As he got out of his truck he ducked his head and ran ahead and knocked on the driver's window. "Hey, can I help you out? It looks like your horse is in trouble back there." 

His words were lost in the raging wind and rain, but when he saw the driver turn to look at him his thoughts were lost as well. "No. I can't do this. Not again." He turned to leave.  She could just sit in the rain, but of course, he turned back. "Madison! Come on! Get back to my truck. Let's check on your horse first. I'll help you change your tire as soon as the storm lets up. Yes! No, now come on! You are just being stubborn like always. Here, get under my coat. Let's go! My horse is none too happy either. Let's move it, girl."

                                                                         &&&&&

"I'm going to look at that old book that Marlee bought at the auction. She seems like she's fascinated with it." Marlee's mom walked over to the chair by the lamp to look over the "treasure" that Marlee had bought at the auction. "I wish I had only spent two dollars at the auction. Oh well, it will soon be over and we can go back home. I'm getting tired of four of us living in this camper.  Let's see now. Oh wait a minute. This old picture looks a little like Marlee did when she was little. No wonder she loves this book.

 Who is this? It looks a little like the little girl at the cafe. Hmm. I wonder if this isn't an ancestry book of some sort. I think I will try to make out some of the entries. The writing is so faded with age it's hard to read."

"No way! This says that there is a silver mine on this property! Come look at this! We might be rich! And there's that little girl again sitting by what looks like an old mine! This is weird!"

As her husband walked over to look at the book he said, "Something just dropped out of that book. What is this?"

Two Hearts Broken; Two Hearts To Be Reunited

 Juliette had won enough awards to help him build up his savings account over the years. She was stubborn for sure, but she was made of strong stuff. She was not only beautiful, but produced a set of twins which was rare. He felt like the time was right to buy his own place. Dude ranches were becoming a popular vacation spot for rich people. He wondered if the Double D ranch was still in business. "I believe I'll take a little trip to Texas and see if the old man wants to sell. He was hurting for money the last time I was there. He sold Juliette to me for a song. Hopefully he will sell the ranch to me as well. I'd take Juliette with me. I can see it now. A Dude Ranch with music, trail rides, good food. If he sells it cheap enough I could buy some good horses. Yes, that's just what I'll do. I'll be raking in the dough and make a name for myself. I won't have to work hard like my brother does. Crazy guy. He's still working as hard as any ranch hand and for what? A dollar or two a day. Says he likes the wide open spaces and the stars in the sky. Stars in the sky. Stars don't pad your bank account, little brother. I have a feeling that yours needs a lot of padding. I'm not liking what I hear about your gambling either. Guess I'll get to packing. Maybe I can help my brother and myself in one trip." With those happy thoughts he walked out to the barn to tell his stubborn but beautiful horse the news. "Hey, filly. You and I are going to Texas to start a new life. Hopefully we can leave tomorrow."

Juliette listened to his plans for her and a new home. She shook her head and snorted. Then backed away and looked out the open barn door. "Hey, what's with you? I thought that you would love to show your stuff to those Texans. You have done a great job in Missouri. Come on. Let's go. You know you were born in Texas. That's where I first saw you and knew that you and I would be friends." He laughed and said, "Well, not at first we weren't You bucked me more times that I can count. Anyway we can start a whole new life and maybe you can find a handsome stallion that suits your fancy. What do you say? Huh?"

He smiled when she walked back and made a soft vibrating sound from her throat. He loved her sweet nickering. "Oh, now it sounds better, does it? You are something else. I'm going in the house and make some calls. If everything goes alright we will be on the road by noon tomorrow."

When he got in the house he got out his suitcase and went to put his scrapbook on the bottom. He had been saving her ribbons and programs for years. The last one he had put in the book was kind of loose. Then they all fell out.  He grinned when he saw it. "That was the day, girl. That was the day." He put his pocket watch in the bottom and shook his head. "No sad thoughts today. I thought I was going to marry that girl, but it just didn't work out." He saw the other programs and thought, "It's okay. We need to get a new start. I guess I'd better make that call first just to make sure this is not just a pipe dream."

                                                                     &&&&&

Madison had cried enough tears to float a boat; probably a battle ship. Her smile was tight and almost hurt her face as she finished her packing. It had been a few years, but the hurt never seemed to go away completely. She had been so young when she first met him. He was handsome and cocky and knew where he was going; to the top. That's what he always told her; to the top. Well, ducky, you made it to the top without me. Your filly meant more to you than I ever did. Once I realized that I should have parted ways, but no. I thought I could change you. I knew better and so did my mom. She tried to tell me about you. Funny thing about it, when I finally broke up with you, you didn't understand why."

 She finished packing her last suitcase. She was headed for Texas. There was a ranch there called the Double D. that she had heard was up for sale. She had done well for herself in the arena on several levels. It was time for her to settle down and do something with her life that would make other folks happy. Dude ranches were becoming the thing that drew people from the east; rich people. Even the political big wigs were going to them. "Aww look at this. Oh my gosh I was so little. That must have been  my very first pony. Teddy. She smiled as she read the writing on the back of the old photo. Maddie's first pony, Teddie. 27" Maddie 18 months old. Wow,  He was only twenty-seven inches tall. We were about the same size. I think I can remember him when I was older. We were best buddies." She turned the photo over in her hands and thought, " I was a cute little thing wasn't I?" 

She looked on her night stand and stared at the young man that broke her heart. "Okay, woman, enough is enough." She picked up the picture and put it in a drawer. "Another day, duckie. Not another day if I have my way about it."

As she sat in her bedroom chair she remembered the horses and the fun. She hoped that someday she could bring joy to another little girl just like she had had growing up. Yes, she needed to buy that ranch if at all possible. As she sat in her chair her memories took her to a place they always did when she allowed them to. She once again was a young girl on a farm with a horse to show and dreams to make come true and they did for the most part; except for him...

The Dust Bowl Years

 The heat and dirt seemed to not only seep through the cracks in the old house, but in her eyes, nose and in her hair. Sometimes it would get in her mouth. She had taken old dish towels and soaked them in dishwater then wrung them out with her chapped hands. She wearily tugged them into the corners or her windows where calk used to keep out the weather. The damp towels helped to keep the dust out, but some always seemed to get in. She couldn't afford to buy new calk. She couldn't afford anything. The job of keeping the fine dirt out of her house was never ending. Only in her dreams at night did she remember the green grass and flowers that bloomed in the spring. Flowers. When was the last time she had seen the red, yellow and orange zinnias that she would plant every year? It seemed forever. "I wish just for a minute that I could walk outside and draw a breath of fresh air. I've heard tell of folks getting dust pneumonia from this dirt. I sure don't need that." She had taken a short break that morning even though it was already hot to see if there was any water at all left in the creek. Not to her surprise she had seen that the leaves lay in the creek bottom; brown crisps of nature's folly. Soon they would be ready to fly with the next gust of wind. "I wonder if I will live to see my boys grown. I wonder if this will ever end. They call it the Dust Bowl. I call it the Devil's work. Preacher says not to think or say things like that, but what am I to think? My love died trying to work this land. He dug a well only to have it dry up. I don't think I can go on much longer. When she got back to the house she picked up her old journal that she had written in since she was a child and simply wrote, "Not much longer. I am sick of heart and soul and body. I worry about my boys."

The Double D was in trouble. The heat and the dust was hard on the horses. The hands had to keep them in the barn to keep the flying dirt out of their eyes and nostrils. Feed for the horses was scarce. The owner was thinking of selling out. "How am I going to keep these animals fed? Yes the mine is full of silver, but I need water to mine it. I still have some water in my wells. I had the foresight to dig them deep, but only God knows how long this drought will last. For now, I think I will sell that filly. She looks like she's going to be a good horse for someone that wants to work with her. She's a little stubborn and not worth my time.

                                                                       &&&&&&&&&&

His mother had been gone for several years now. He and his brother had sold the little farm after she had died. Thousands of people died during those terrible years and over two million folks were homeless. Wheat, oats, and corn crops were cut in half because of the lack of rain. The brothers had different ways of thinking. One was a cattle man and had made a life for himself working his way up to foreman on a cattle ranch next to the Double D Dude Ranch. He was saving for his own ranch. J smiled when he remembered his brother when he was a boy. I worked for the Double D long enough to save enough money to buy the filly from the old man. In those days I felt like I had made it big time. I was eighteen and on my own. I had a horse, a little house and a two stall barn that I rented for thirty dollars a month. Life was good.

 I was determined not to end up like Ma and Pa did. They worked their fingers to the bone and for what? Nothing, that's what. Not me. Horses can be your living or your worst best friend.  Oh how I remember that little filly I bought. She threw me every time she got a chance. I even named her Juliet after a pretty young gal that turned me down every time I asked her to the movies. She was stubborn, willful, but beautiful. She was my ticket. My ticket to a way of life that was nothing like the way I grew up. I'll never forget going to the American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri. I think I was about twenty or a little older. It might have cost me a couple of bucks to enter. but my beautiful American Saddlebred won ribbon after ribbon and several awards.

  Marlee smiled in her sleep as she dreamed of the boy that was at the fair. It was a really big fair. There were horses and cattle and lots of good food to eat.    He looked like he was a little bit older than she was, but he was wearing a cowboy hat and looked like to her he was having a birthday party. She smiled at him and he smiled back. Then he waved for her to come over and have a piece of cake. 

Marlee's mom and dad checked on Marlee before they went to bed. Marlee's dad whispered, "I wonder what she is smiling about? She's probably planning her next adventure or her next prank on Whitlee. "I would like to take a look at that book of hers. It might be interesting reading. She does love those old pictures."                                       

She said, "You can't make a livin' dreamin'"

 Times were hard, but the young boy couldn't help but dream his dreams. The Great Depression seemed to make everyone he knew poor and somehow mad at the world. But he wasn't thinking about money or people. He was thinking about a horse. Someday he would own a horse. He knew if he worked hard enough he would, he just knew it. His mom had gotten him and his brother each a new shirt. They were cautioned to keep them clean because the money she spent on them would be the last until she could find another job doing laundry or cleaning another house. If she was lucky enough to find another job she'd have to add it to the already long list of chores she had signed on to do for the townsfolks. She was a single mom with two boys that seemed like were always hungry. She ignored her own belly growling and set to fixing a meal of potatoes and tomatoes. That was all that was left in the cellar. When she had canned and preserved all the vegetables from her tiny garden that she could she knew that the years' long drought had left her with little to feed her boys. She looked out her kitchen window and saw them sitting on the fence. "Dreamin' their dreams again. Lands, I don't understand them. They are so much like their father was and his father. Dreamers! You can't make a livin' dreamin'. It takes work and lots of it. How can I make them boys understand. A hungry belly should do it, but I can't take away their only pleasure; food. What little I got, I'll give 'em. I do so love those boys, dreamers or not."

"What ya thinkin' about Jay? Ma said we shouldn't be dreamin' about stuff. She said no good would come of it. 'member? I know you want a horse, but you know doggone well there isn't hardly enough food for the three of us let alone a horse. You and me gonna have to help ma with the food. I'm gonna see if the neighbor will hire me on to work with his cattle. Me and cattle seem to get along good. Come on let's cut some wood for ma. Maybe we could even wash up after supper. She's lookin' kind of tired lately."

                                                                          &&&&&

After supper Marlee went to her room to look at the old book that seemed to always make her happy. She couldn't understand it, but looking at the old pictures made her smile. When she picked it up she saw some things drop onto the floor. She picked them up and saw that one was a red ribbon. "Hmm, this looks like a prize ribbon I've seen at fairs and carnivals. I wonder who got this. What is this? It looks like some kind of an old paper. I can't wait until I can read good. I'm going to have to ask mom or dad to read this to me. Wait. This is a really big acorn. Weird. Who would save an acorn? I don't think it would have been in the book. I wonder where it came from."

When Marlee picked it up she saw tiny little sprinkles of lights and could smell the smell of animals and smoke and cooking meat. She felt herself grinning and she felt so very happy. She almost felt like a queen or a princess. She laid down on her bed and looked through her precious book. Soon Marlee was dreaming that she was at some kind of  fair.  A Royal fair with horses and cattle and really good barbeque like her daddy makes. She couldn't wait to see the horses. She needed to go see the horses! She knew that there was a boy waiting for her. It's in the book. I know it's in the book," she thought as she closed her eyes and joined the crowd at the American Royal in Kansas City in 1932.