The Auction: Part 3

 Paisley waved goodbye to Marlee and went to go find her mom. She could see her. She had walked over to the barn. She looked back and saw Marlee walk over to the food truck. "I wonder if Mom would let me invite Marlee to our house this afternoon. I really liked her. Maybe Marlee's mom and dad would come and visit too and it would be so much fun. I have some friends, but Marlee is just my age and she could be my new friend. She said she loves school and likes to read books and write just like I do. I wish she lived closer. She's a long ways from home. They are on vacation. I love to go on vacations. I want her to come to my house. I have books that she might like and we can play school together."

"I liked that old picture book that she found in that box. I wonder if Mom has any old pictures somewhere. I'll have to ask her."

Marlee's dad had called their lawyer. He said that they were bound to the sale of the ranch unless the other couple could come up with the money that Marlee's mom had bid. The lawyer told him that they could form a partnership and they could own part of the ranch for the difference of the two ladies' bid if the first couple didn't have enough money to match his wife's bid.  Marlee's dad and mom told the auctioneer they had to have a few minutes to think about this. "You know, it would give us a place to come for vacations. Marlee could learn how to ride a horse. I had a horse, but I sold it when we moved to town. Hmm, what do you think? It's a lot of money, but actually when you think about it it would be a good investment for us. Can we swing it? Oh my gosh, we could make this place an  Airbnb and make a fortune!  I can just see it now. We could plant geraniums around that porch and you could put a porch swing up. Oh think about it, honey. It's great idea."

"We would have to go to a title company and pay some closing fees; and of course, that would cost money. They would have to do a title search, but first we need to talk to that other couple and see what they think. If they don't want to do it we'll figure something else out. Okay let's tell them our idea," said Marlee's mom. "I see Marlee over at the food truck. I told her to stay at the trailer, but it's been a long time. I'm sure she is hungry and thirsty. Let's get this over with."

After discussing their proposition their idea of an Airbnb was shot down immediately. "I think we could make a lot of money doing this and you could eventually buy us out if you wanted to. My husband and I are just trying to help you out. I know I bid on it, but I didn't mean to!"

"Barrel racing? We know nothing about that. This place isn't set up for that. That will take money, probably a lot of money. Do you have horses for that? We know nothing whatsoever about rodeos. Really? You go to them all the time? That's how you have saved so much money? Well, we need to think about this. I have to get my little girl. I'll be right back. I promised her we would go swimming at a nice motel with a big pool. This place doesn't even have a pool. How did they ever make it a Dude Ranch without a pool? Marlee! I'm over here!"

Harleigh was watching the auction from the tree that she had climbed every year since her mom and her camped on the old campground on this ranch. "Allie was so nice to us and let us camp here and even let me work on this place. I learned a lot about a lot of things out here. I cleaned up poop which they had a nice words for, 'mucking the stalls'. It was still poop. She laughed. Wow that's been about twenty years ago or more. We probably won't ever see this place again. Mom is over there with the crowd looking at the things that are for sale. I'm looking at a bigger picture. A big part of my past is out there. I know I'm still fairly young. At least I'm still young enough to climb a tree, but plenty old enough to know when something just isn't right. I'm just getting this weird feeling that something bad is about to happen. I'd better go find Mom and tell her it's time to go back to the hotel. I don't want her in the middle of a mess." Just as she was going to climb down from her perch on her favorite old tree she looked down and saw an older woman crawling around towards a car and a box of junk. "I knew something was up. What is she doing?" she wondered as she watched the woman drop something in the box and disappear into the crowded parking lot. 

She waited until she could no longer see the woman and walked over to the box to see what that woman had put in it when suddenly a little girl yelled, "Hey! That's my box. You can't have it. I paid two dollars for it. It's mine."

The Next Generation: The Auction Part 2

 The sweat was running into his eyes and his head was aching. He'd been an auctioneer for over twenty years and he needed some time off. That's why he'd hired an assistant. She seemed like she was doing okay. She had sold the ranch and there wasn't much left to get rid of. The commission they would make on the sale would sure help out his finances even though he had to share the money. Maybe when he got home his wife would have dinner ready for a change. Maybe just maybe she would smile when he walked in the door. That's a lot of maybes for one day. She wanted to move to Illinois. Today that idea didn't seem half bad. It was probably a lot cooler up there. The kids were getting old enough that they wouldn't care. One was in college and the other in a trade school. He wanted to be an auctioneer. "I should have talked him out of that, but that's what he wanted to do." The little girls were still hanging around the trailer full of junk. One was talking to him.

"What do you want, little girl? I'm a busy man. You want to buy this box?  So do you have money?Well, do you have a number?  You have to have a number. Yeah, I guess you can use your mom's number. What is it? #32? Okay, what will you pay for this box?" Marlee said, "I have four dollars, but I don't want to spend it all. I'll give you two dollars." The auctioneer started his chant but quickly noticed that he no longer had a crowd of people around the trailer. They were all walking towards the barn. "What is going on? Yes you can have that box. Now go find your mom, but don't forget to pay the clerk over there at the trailer. Now scat!"

As he quickly walked towards the barn he began to get worried. What was happening? There were two ladies crying and two men shaking their heads at his assistant and using really loud voices, in fact they were yelling at her!

 "Alright, alright. Now what's this all about? You bid on the ranch, but you didn't mean to? Quit your crying and tell me what exactly happened."

"I'll tell you what happened she over bid me and now we can't buy the ranch of our dreams. We've been scrimping and saving for years. Why did you have to ruin everything?"

After pulling his assistant aside she explained that she thought that the woman that waved her number at her wanted to get in on the bidding of the ranch.

 "Wait a minute! I don't want this ranch. We are on vacation and that's all there is to it!" 

"Well, let us have it for our bid then. We want this ranch. Please!"

The auctioneers head felt like it was splitting in two. The people on vacation were in trouble. There was over a million dollars in back taxes due on the ranch. They had bid, accidentally or not $1, 853, 782. They were liable for that money. If they didn't pay it it would go on their credit as a black mark and then the ranch would have to go back up for sale again at a later date because the taxes were accumulating as they spoke. He tried to explain to both couples that accident or not, #32 was the owner of the ranch.

"Can we buy the ranch from them for what we bid?" the young woman sobbed. "No. I told you that they now own it. You would have to make up the difference to buy it. Then you could own it." The young woman cried so hard she could hardly breathe and the other couple stood holding each other; both of which were in shock. They knew nothing about ranching. They certainly didn't want their credit to go bad. What could they do?

                                                                 *****

 He arrived at the flea market with the bag of jewels in his pocket. Now to find the woman that he knew would give him below market value and make a fortune for the jewelry, but it would still give him a good chunk of change. That money would buy him a home and maybe even a better car. He would be set and his brother would be in Florida without the jewels. He laughed to himself again while he was browsing the open air market. "Serves him right. His brother was the Golden Boy and he was the black sheep of the family. Now the table was turned. "Ha! There's her booth. I recognize some of her jewelry that she uses for a front. Wait, there's a man sitting there. Well, I'll just ask for her. Maybe she's on a break. Hope she's not in jail again. She needs to be more careful who she buys and sells to."

Marlee and one of the girls that had been standing beside her were looking at the things in the box that she had just bought. "Mom's been gone for awhile. I don't think I can carry this big box by myself. Another girl said, "I will help you. Soon there were three girls helping Marlee carry the big box to her parent's car. "Thank you so much for helping me. Do you want to help me look in the box to see if I bought anything really valuable? My mom told me that sometimes there are treasures in boxes at auctions." They all agreed to sit down and carefully take things out of the box to see if there was a treasure somewhere at the bottom.

After quite some time the girls said they couldn't see anything valuable in the box. They told Marlee they had to go find their parents or grandparents. They told her how sorry they were that she had spent her two dollars for junk and were on their way.

Marlee waved good-bye to them wishing they would stay and be friends. She had lots of friends at home and missed them.  She decided to open up a really old book. A picture fell out on the ground. She picked it up and said, "Wow! This picture looks kinda like me. I've never been to Texas before so I guess it's just an old old picture of a little girl that looks a little like me. I'll have to show mom if she ever gets back here. I'm getting thirsty. I'll look for her by the food truck. I'm glad I didn't spend all of my money on that box of stuff. I'm ready to go back on the road to do something fun. Maybe get a hotel and go swimming. Yes, that's a really good idea." 

The Auction: Part One

 The auctioneer looked over the crowd. There were a lot of people here today. He was glad that his partner was here to help. She was fresh out of auctioneer school, but she's good. Maybe they could get this over with in one day. The heat was almost unbearable. It was over a hundred degrees and going to be hotter by the minute. His partner headed over to the barn. The ranch had been scheduled to be sold first, but for some reason there were a lot of people with bidding numbers that had headed over towards the barn. "Interesting. This tells me I'm going to make some money today. My commission will certainly help pay the bills. Business has been slow lately." He went over to the tables of smaller things and announced on the speaker that anyone that was interested in the ranch and the livestock including horses would be starting at the same time as the household items. He looked over the heads of all the people and saw a little girl causing a commotion over at the barn. "What is she crying about? I don't need this. I've got to get this sale going. The girl wanted a horse. "Well, get her a horse for Pete's sakes. He watched for a minute then was relieved to see his partner had in fact gotten a good price for the horse plus the girl's parents had gotten it for her.  " Win, win so let's go."

 His heart started to beat a little faster as the bidding progressed. Things were selling at a good rate. It was not quite noon and the ranch had already sold and the larger household items and furniture had sold as well. He was down to the tables of little stuff. "Man I want to get out of here. I'm so hot. I've had a good day so will let this junk go cheap," he thought. He looked over the crowd and  frowned; little kids, girls at that. Just what I didn't need today." He looked down at the trailer loaded with boxes of junk. He sighed and thought. Let's get this over with. He held up a silver frame. It was old, but he had no idea how much it was worth so  he started his auctioneer chant. "I'm bid a dollar, now two. I'm bid two. I hear three? I hear three? No? Sold to the lady for two dollars." Marlee said, "Mom! You won. Now get me this box of stuff. It's got some books in it I want. Please?" Her mom said, "We'll see, Marlee. It depends on how much it goes for. Other people might want the same box you know. Plus we are on vacation and don't have room in the car for very much. I'll be back soon. Be a good girl and stay right here, okay? Right now I see your dad waving at me to go over to the barn. I wonder what he wants. 

 As she started walking towards the barn she waved at her husband wondering why he wanted her. "Hey! Here I am over here!" As she neared the barn she heard the auctioneer say, "Sold to the lady holding number 32." She thought she was going to be sick. What had she done? She ran over to her husband and said, "What just happened?" Her husband said, "I think you just bought a ranch."

Steff's eyes were misty as she watched her mom and dad's things sell. Some things sold for more than she'd hoped, but many things sold for less. She felt a wave of loneliness wash over her as she saw some of her mother's things being sold. She wondered who the people were and where they lived. She heard the auctioneer announce that the ranch had sold. "There it is, girl. You are officially relieved of your duties in Texas. Soon you will be on your way back to your husband and family." For some reason she didn't smile or dance a jig like she had thought she would. She felt a little sad. "I never liked living here, why am I feeling this way?" She looked up and couldn't believe her eyes. There was her daughter!

Her face felt strange. She realized that she had not smiled in a very long time. She was so glad to see her! "What are you doing here? I love you! How did you get here? Where are the kids? Why did you come all this way?" The more she talked the more she smiled and the more her tears started carrying some of that Texas dirt and hurt along with them. "It's almost over, honey. The ranch sold a little while ago. They are on the last leg of some of the trailers of little stuff. I'll be ready to go back first thing in the morning. Why did you come today of all days?"

Tony watched as his brother stood in line waiting to get on his flight to Florida. "Should be interesting when he finds out he no longer has a bag of jewelry to sell once he gets down there. I know a woman that buys and sells jewelry. With the money I make I'm going to have a fancy house on the beach somewhere. By bro' see ya, not!" He chuckled to himself all the way down the highway.

Hopes And Dreams Of The Future And Musings Of The Past

 He said they were partners. He said they'd be rich beyond all imagination. He said they were in this together. But he had not told him the truth. He was gone! "I just knew he wasn't telling me the truth. I just knew it. I laid awake all night listening to him packing. He never said a word to me. I opened my eyes just a tiny bit and could see him in the shadows. He was taking a tent! Where did he get a tent? Then I saw him packing clothes. They were all dark clothes. What was he doing? Where was he going? I couldn't help it, but I fell asleep for just a minute or two. When I woke up he was gone! I've got to find him." He quickly got dressed. He dressed in his 70's tie dye shirt and head band that now was in fashion again. He wanted to stand out in a crowd, but he wore shades so no one would recognize him, but his brother. He wanted him to see that he was on his trail. He's going to the Double D Ranch. I just know it. That's all he's talked about for months ever since that old uncle of theirs told them about how K.R. stashed jewelry in the main house. K.R. tried to find it years ago but it was gone. "Yup, brother, I'm on my way. You will split the money with me. I'll find you!"

"Just as I thought. There's his tent. Wait. Here he comes. What's that he's carrying? Yuk, it looks like he's got poop all over him. Maybe he didn't find the jewels after all. No he's putting a little bag in his duffel bag. Now he's walking away. What is he doing?" He waited for awhile and then quietly dodged in between bushes and trees. He found the bag in the corner of the tent. He quickly dug into his brother's bag and there it was. "He found them! Well, little brother. They are mine now. See ya!" And he was gone, but he heard a rustling noise and quickly hid from sight behind a log. Sure enough. His brother was taking down the tent and loading up his gear into his junky old car. "Where are you going?" He chuckled quietly as he patted the jewels in his own pocket. "I think I'll follow you to see how far you get before you find out you no longer are a rich man." 

Stef looked out the upstairs window. The house yard was filled with cars, pickups, and horse trailers. People were milling around the flat bed trailers filled with boxes, dishes, and furniture. The ancient washer and dryer were sitting there looking like they might only bring a buck or two if she was lucky. They had rusted over the years and her mother would never replace them. She saw the old Jeep that her mother had long ago retired. She could never sell it. Some cow hand over the years had parked it on a rock for a joke. It had never been moved. She told stories about a camper too, but she had never seen it.  She said it had been given to her many years ago by an uncle her mother had never known. Bill was his name. He had given her this ranch as well. Amazing. Things like that just don't happen; maybe in story books is all. But of course, it had happened to her mother. It always did. She lived her life like a fiction novel. Oh the stories she used to tell.

 Her eyes swept over the all too familiar land. There were no horses in the pastures. What horses were left  had all been brought up to the barnyard for easy showing and selling. The auction was going to be a big one. She wanted it done in one day, but the auctioneer said it might take two days. It all depended on the bidding and the attendance. Whomever won the bid on the ranch had to be pre-approved by a bank, so that would be settled soon. The ranch was first on the agenda, then the animals, then the household items. It would be hours before she would be able to close her eyes again. There wasn't even a cup of coffee to be had except at the food cart outside. "I guess I'd better chin up, put a smile on my face and get out there. I have to have my coffee and something to eat to get through this day."

When Marlee and her family pulled into the ranch there had to be a million cars there. "Where are we going to park? There is no room!" Her dad chuckled and said, "It's a big place, Marlee. I'll find a spot." Her mother said, "I'm excited. I heard that she has a lot of silver stuff like picture frames I'd like to buy if they don't go too high."

Marlee and her sister, Whitlee got out of the car and looked all around. There was a lot of people and cars, but they were all going towards the barn. She and her mom and sister went over to the trailers piled high with things to be sold while her dad went over to the barn to see what all was going to be sold. "Oh I was right. There are some picture frames. I wonder how high they will go. Come on girls. Let's walk around so we can see what all we might want to bid on then we will go over and get a number in case we buy something."

Marlee stopped and touched some things in a box. Her mother told her not to touch anything because it still belonged to the lady that was having the auction. If they bought a box of things, then she could go through it with her.

Sarah and J.D. had always wanted their own ranch. They had been raised in Texas and had ridden in rodeos it seemed like for all their lives. They had been saving their money and had scrimped and saved until they thought they might be able to buy the Double D. She still carried a picture in her wallet of her sister in a cowboy hat and her standing beside her that was so very old. She had always loved horses. When she grew up she met the man of her dreams who also loved horses and wanted so many of the same things she did. Hopefully their bid would be accepted and the ranch would soon be theirs.

Soon other people started walking towards the barn with numbers in their hands. "Surely there aren't a lot of people willing to bid on this ranch. It's run down and the buildings all need repaired. Oh go away. Please, people, go away. J.D. and I want this ranch. It's all we can afford and we can make it a great place again. I know we could."

Getting Ready For The Double D Auction

 "I just love going for walks with you, but we never see anything new. Do you want to go to the gas station and get a cold drink? I do. Want to? What's that sign mean? What's an auction? Is it fun? Have you ever been to an auction? What do they do there? Does it cost money to go there? How come you aren't answering me?"

Blake grinned and said, "Well, first of all you haven't given me a chance to answer any of your questions. I may have gone to an auction, but I can't remember it. Grown ups go to buy stuff cheap, but I heard Mom say that sometimes people get carried away and pay too much for stuff because it's fun to bid." So an auction is a sale. Sometimes people are moving, or have died and their stuff needs to be sold. Sometimes they just have too much stuff and want to get rid of it. There's lots of reasons for an auction. I think I heard that the auction sign we just saw was for the Double D ranch outside of town. It might take two days to sell everything out there. They have horses and other animals, farm equipment and lots of things in the house too, I imagine. It does sound kind of fun, but you need money to bid on stuff. The auctioneer starts out saying a price he thinks is fair. Everyone has a number card they got from the auctioneer clerk. If you bid on something you say, "yeah" and hold your number up so the auctioneer can see. The highest bidder wins and then he says, "Sold to number such and such." They sell lots of little stuff too. They fill up boxes with junk. I've heard of people finding valuable stuff in a box full of stuff they might only have paid a dollar for. Like a famous painting, or book. I guess we could ask Mom or Dad if they are going. Might be fun, but I sure don't want to stay all day in this heat. Let's get a cold drink. That's a good idea."

Stef was glad that she had asked a couple of the cowhands to help her with boxing up little things for the auction. This was one of the hardest things that she had ever done, but it was getting to the end. This weekend the Double D would belong to someone else. Someone other than family for the first time in generations. "They might even rename this place. The Double D has been a landmark for many years and had a good reputation for the most part. Mom told us kids about a guy named K.R. that put a black mark on everything he touched. I think Dad thought he was his father for years, but that turned out not to be true. "Okay. I think that is it. Mr. Vacuum you are going on the auction too. Whoever buys this place can bring their own. I'm ready for a hot shower and a good night's sleep. First I'll call the kids and see what they are up to. This weekend everything will be carried outside that I don't want to keep and then when everything is sold I will be on my way home. Home to my family. Boxes of  memories that I will share with them as the grandchildren get older."

It seemed like Lucky had been through every bush, every ditch ever made in Texas, now this. Poop! I have never in my life seen so much of this in my life! The guys in the joint would be laughing their heads off. I thought horses were supposed to be beautiful and clean. When I used to go to the track they sure were. Where do they get all this poop? They must feed those animals wrong. That old man, K.R., used to tell my uncle about this place. Made it sound beautiful. Made it seem like it was loaded with gold and silver. I'm gonna be rich. I can wash this stuff off of me. I just got to remember what he told me and how to get there. It was right on the border he said. Well, I'm right in the barnyard is where I am. I gotta get outta here before somebody sees me. Yuk, I stink. I gotta find some water somewhere. Besides that this place looks like it's going to fall down any minute. I wonder if I'm at the right place. No no no! Get outta here you noisy little thing. What are you anyway some kind of little mini dog or horse? Anyway take those chickens with you! Shh! You are going to wake up everybody and I'll land back in the joint. Now git! Ouch you mean chicken! You made me bleed! I oughta... Wait a minute. What are you sitting on there? It sure don't look like eggs. Don't you peck me again old hen. I see something shiny. Yeah yeah, lookie there. Well, looks like I don't have to go any further to get rich. No siree, I'm going back to the city. Looks like diamonds and gold to me. He stuck the gold and diamond cowboy boot in his teeth and bit down. It was soft. Yesirree Bob. I'm gonna git me a fancy car and maybe a vacation. I betcha these are worth a million bucks. Now hush!"

"Dad, how come we are going to an auction? It's too hot to be outside. Are you going to buy me something? I want to go swimming.. Can we stop somewhere? Dad! Mom! Whitlee is leaning on me! Make her stop! I did not pinch her!...Hard."

The Next Generation; Preface

 "This is not my fault! This is not my job! I have a brother and a sister that should be here helping me. I have three grown up children that also should be pitching in. She was their mother and grandmother, but no here I am taking time off from work to clean up after you, Mother." She walked through the house smelling familiar smells of stale cooking, but also of saddle soap that her mother left open on her dresser. She could just see her dad rubbing that stuff into his boots at night. "And furthermore, Dad, You should be here too. I'm just mad! I'm mad at you too, God. Why did you have to take him when I was so young? I suppose Mom did her best with us, but I hated this ranch. and the heat of Texas, and the cleaning up after those horses. Horses! Mother loved them. I think she loved them more than us kids. I can just see her now talking gentle to them and giving them treats. She was in that barn more than in the house. It shows for sure. Okay, okay she was old! I get that, but why am I taking all the blame for her not paying the taxes on this place? It is not my fault!  I'll be lucky if this place sells for enough over the amount of the taxes to pay all of her bills that are piled on the desk upstairs. I guess I'd better get busy and start downstairs with getting things in piles. First the auction pile, then the give away pile, the throw away pile, and the keep pile. Hopefully I can talk some of the hands that are still left to help me get this done. I've only got a few days and then it will all be over. Then I can get back to my life. " As she turned to go back downstairs she saw a picture of her husband and her taken years ago. "Well, look at that. Happier times for sure." She ran her finger over the glass in the frame trying to feel her husband's face. "I sure wish you were here. I could really use your help. I know you have to work." She angrily wiped the tears from her face and got busy. The sooner she got this over with the sooner she could take that ten hour trip back home where she belonged. Hopefully she would still have a job when she got back.

Justin had retired from congress many years ago. What he had left now was memories. So many memories. Oh he had two children; a son and a daughter and some grandchildren,. He didn't see them very often. "They have their own lives and I'm just about done with mine. It was a good ride though. Oh once I found out I had a brother; and a twin brother at that we had fun. He got married and stayed in Texas and I finally found my love and lived in D.C. as well as in Illinois. Josh died young though. I miss him still. I don't think Mom ever got over it. She lived in my guest house for years. She didn't talk much about her feelings, but I could see the sadness in her eyes." 

When Justin did get to see his grandchildren he loved to tell them stories about the Double D ranch and of course, about his life as a senator. He had one son that loved to live on the edge. He worried about him constantly. "I have no idea where he got his reckless ways. Must have been his mother," he grinned as he remembered his sweet wife. There was nothing reckless about her, but she did have a twinkle in her eyes when she was thinking of something a bit naughty. "Oh how I miss you, my dear."

Sarah walked into the feed store and found herself in quite a line of folks waiting to be helped. "I think I will just look around. I love looking at Ben's bulletin board. The sale bills are fun but J.D. hates it when I tell him there's a sale." She grinned and thought. I wish we had enough saved up to buy our own ranch. Maybe just a few more races and we will. Oh, well, look here. The Double D is going up for auction this month. Hmm, I wonder how much that place will go for. Mom worked for Allie when she was younger as an equine dentist." She tore down the sale bill, put it in her purse and went out to the truck. "J.D. might say no, but I'll never know until I show him this." She found him just where she thought he'd be. He loved horses as much as she did. She frowned when she thought of her husband's elderly father. He was nice enough guy, but he did hate that they loved barrel racing and rodeos. Oh well, it's our life. "I just can't wait to see what my hubby thinks. I sure do hope he thinks that it's a possibility at least."

While he was waiting to check in with his parole officer he rummaged through the worn and uninteresting magazines in the waiting room. "What a surprise. Got my paralegal certificate in the joint to read this outdated junk. Then they make me wait an hour to see him. Oh wait, what's this? Let me see this. I think that was the name of the place where my uncle's cell mate used to live or close by. I can't remember all the stories he used to tell. Let's see where this place is at. Yeah, I think it was called the Double D. Auction, huh? Wish I had some dough. Wait a minute. I know somebody that does. Wonder if he'd like to invest in an old worn out ranch. Should go for a song in my opinion. The thing is there used to be an old silver mine on that property if I remember right. Wonder if it's all mined out? I'd let my buddy do the investin' and I'll get the rewards. Ha! Yeah, when I'm done in here I'm gonna give him a call. I would love getting out of this stinking city and enjoy the wide open spaces, fresh air and a sucker on every street corner. I heard tell it's a regular Mayberry R.F.D. Yeah, this is for me. I'll just take a quick picture and send it to him and call him to see what he says. Ha, this is gonna be sweet."

Aaliyah's Legacy

 As she sat in front of her bedroom window she watched her daughter's grandson drive his little Jeep around the yard. "My daughter is a grandmother. I never thought I would live to be so old. Over the years I have heard so much about aging; 'it's not for sissies' is one of my favorites. Well neither was being young and almost homeless living in the city. I was beautiful then at least that's what my love always told me. Just look at that little boy. I can't even imagine what Josh would have thought of that little scamp. He would have had him digging rocks and drawing plans for new bridges by the time he was this age.  Oh how I miss my Joshua. We had such a short time together." She grinned at how they used to torment each other. "We did fight like cats and dogs, but oh how we loved each other. He didn't even call me by my name! He said it didn't suit me so he called me Allie. Soon everyone in town called me Allie. That man, he made and lived by his own rules."

As she rocked in her favorite chair her mind took her back to when her home was a grand place; a beautiful dude ranch.  She had almost lost the ranch because of being stubborn and determined to do things 'my way'. "Oh my goodness was I a stubborn one. I wouldn't listen for love nor money. Especially when Josh tried to help me. The ranch meant a whole new beginning for me right down to a Jeep and tiny camper that my Uncle Bill had left me. However it was the beginning for other folks too. How I do remember the weddings this ranch has seen. One of which she remembered well. I wonder whatever became of the sheriff and Maxine. They were married on horseback and lit outta here to find and explore the mountain tops of their dreams. Oh it was a fine wedding. Yes it was."

" Then our wedding was also here on the ranch. Then came a child and another and another. Such fun we had with those little babies. When the children were small it was such fun to teach them how to ride and take care of the horses. It's almost hard to think of them of being old now."

"I can remember Josh putting a saddle on a frame and having our babies pretend to ride a horse when they weren't hardly old enough to hang on. Oh how he did love our little ones. He was so patient, but he made them work hard too. She smiled as she thought of their oldest one. "Stubborn, just like her mother, I'm afraid. We had our hands full with that one. She's a good mom, though and now she's a grandmother. Mercy."

Josh was never really interested in the ranch. He loved his rocks and spent a lot of time in his personal cabin that he called his office. My idea of having a place of peace and quiet for troubled teens and veterans was a success, but I sure didn't get rich. In my old age I'm happy with what I did with the ranch, but I have this feeling the children won't keep it when I'm gone. I wonder what will happen to this beautiful ranch and who will buy it if they do sell it. I'm just being a silly old woman. They won't sell our ranch. No, it will go on as it always has for generation after generation. Yes, it is a privilege to love a horse and an honor to be loved by one. That is how I was taught and that is what I taught our children and they will teach their children. That is the Double D legacy."

Aaliya's eyes were getting tired. She stared at an old photograph that was sitting on her dresser. Josh had insisted that she put it on the dresser so he could always remember how beautiful she was when he was resting. She grinned as she looked at the wall where her wanted poster was. Again Josh said he wanted that old thing in the bedroom to remind her that he always did and always would want her. She was having such trouble with her eyes for some reason. In that old picture she kind of looked like her mother; she missed her. She quit trying to keep her eyes open. She could feel the hot wind on her face and see the horses grazing out on the pasture. It had been such a good life, but she was so very tired. 

As her eyes fluttered she gave the spider in the corner a smile and whispered, "Keep on working old friend, you do beautiful work that perhaps another lonely young woman may admire someday." Her fingers loosened their hold on her treasured journal. It slipped quietly to the floor not to be found until the next day.

Saying Goodbye To The Double D

 Rex made his way out to the silver mine. The mine that had ruined his marriage, his relationships with his brother and children, but had made him a very rich man. It had helped build the community where so many of his friends and now family lived. He had to make it right for Allie and Josh. It sounded like she was in financial trouble. He had planned for this sort of situation many years ago. It just seemed like a good idea to put a little something away for what some called a rainy day. Well, there was a thunderstorm happening at the Double D and he was going to put a stop to it. He smiled when he pulled up to his mine. There were yellow strips of tape as a warning for folks not to enter, but he grinned as he saw his picture still hanging there after so many years. He had Maggie's picture up there at one time. She was a beautiful little angel, now gone to Heaven where other angels lived. He wiped tears away and tore down the tape. As he walked down the dark but familiar tunnels, he touched the sweating walls and felt the cool, but stale air that he remembered so well. "I put almost a million dollars worth of rich ore in an old burlap bag just down the next curve. The way prices are going it should do her for the rest of her life and her children's lives if they spend and invest it wisely. I should have brought some light with me. It's darker than I remembered. He felt his way with his weathered hands and smiled. There was the marked timber. He couldn't see the bag, but as he felt around for it, he heard a sound that he dreaded. He had to find that bag fast before the rotted timbers collapsed. Then he heard a deafening roar and saw a tidal wave of rolling dust; then nothing.

After the sheriff arrested the crooks that had robbed Belle and her mother he also found out that they had been dumping animals of all kinds of the borders of the Double D Ranch. K.R. was behind it all. He wanted that ranch for himself to sell, not to live on. He had confiscated the bag of silver that the robbers had put in the little girl's stuffed toy and had given it to Allie with permission of the prosecuting attorney. He rubbed his forehead and thought, "I'm so done with this law enforcement job. In a little town like this I should be eating doughnuts and whistling as I make my rounds visiting with the store keepers, but instead it seems like I'm always working. I think I will talk to Maxine about moving out west after we get married. It can't be soon enough for me. It's too hot down here, and I can just see us living on a mountain somewhere. Yes, I'll go talk to her tonight. Right now I'm going to call Furry Hearts and have them try to rescue some of those little critters and find them some good homes. It's a great time to get at it while Allie is in the hospital with that bad ankle. That's just one less thing for her to deal with when she gets back home. I wonder if C.E.A.D.A.R Rescue can come out and get a couple of horses that need some care and vetting. I'll call them too."

Lill looked out the window of Justin's car and saw the Open sign on the cafe that she had worked at off and on for years. She had made some terrible mistakes in her lifetime, but Justin just had made her an offer she couldn't refuse. He wanted her to move back to Springfield and live in his guest house or in his main house. She could have her choice. She could quit being a waitress and not work or she could even work for him. He was a senator for the state of Illinois and could always use more help. He also needed some answers. She was ready to tell him most of what he wanted to know, but the story of Bill he would never know. He was the love of her life, but she had kept the twins from him. He had had no idea that he was their biological father. The guilt of that secret she would have to live with for the rest of her life. Her mother was the only other person in the world that knew and she would never tell. She sighed and smiled at her son and said, "Okay, young man. Let's see what I've been missing all these years. I sure do hope you have a cook and a housekeeper. Oh, I never asked you if you have a girlfriend? Am I going to impose on your life? Because if I am, I can live somewhere else." Justin just grinned at his mysterious mother who was showing signs of aging. "What have I missed," he thought. "I just have a feeling you haven't told me your whole story. Then there's Josh. He has no interest in Mom. She gave him away and I'm afraid he will never forgive her for that. K. R. was his adopted father. That is a lot to forgive. Maybe someday he and I can be friends again like we were in college."

"I sure love this Jeep, Justin. I love the wind in my hair. May I drive it?"

Jean and her granddaughter walked out to where the horses were being loaded. The stray and abandoned dogs and cats also were going to their new forever homes with a bright future ahead of them. "Now if only my daughter was home safe and sound. huh, Shadow? Everyone's future would be a bit brighter."

So now you're talking to yourself? I guess it's about time I was getting home to you and my baby girl."

"Mama! Take Meadow home, please!"

"Who's Meadow and where did this dog come from? Oh who cares? Give your mama a hug. So you found Shadow, Mom. We need to have a long talk, don't we? Yes, I'm fine. Let's get your bags packed and get on home. Yes, you too, Addie. Let me think about the dog."

Belle was in the back seat cuddling her favorite stuffed chicken, Henny. They had put in some soft cotton in her tummy and made her just as soft as she was before the robbers filled her with silver. "I think we had an adventure, Mom. In fact I know we did. Who has robbers and horses and chickens in their vacation? And there was even a silver mine and all kinds of stuff going on. Plus the sheriff was there arresting people. Did you hear old fashioned music coming from the barn? I think there must have been a band out there. My friends will never believe it. We had it all, didn't we? I really wouldn't mind going back next year if you think Allie will have all the cabins done and her house isn't filled with crazy people," she laughed. I do love our camper though especially when we remember to pack it with everything we need."

 Mom, look there's another chicken riding on the back of a horse! Is that a thing that we missed somehow?" Her mom laughed and said, "Let's go home, Chickie. Let's go home."

"Well, my dear there they go. I'm going to miss this crazy place, but I think we have done all we can. You know you can only do so much protecting the rest they have to learn from their mistakes. I wonder what kind of legacy these folks will leave the future generations."

" Maybe we'll get to come back and see for ourselves, dear. I think we need to get back and check the roster. If I remember right someone needs us in a small town in Missouri."

"But Allie never found the jewelry that could have saved the ranch. How can we leave now?"

"Somehow I think that's part of the plan. She really never needed that necklace and earrings, now did she? You know those packrats had such fun with those shiny jewels, it would have been a shame to take away their fun."

As the clouds raised Edward and Virginia back to the heavens Uncle Bill's ghost was not a bit happy. He could not find the jewelry that had been hidden in the secret room. "Rats, I'll bet it was rats. I'll find you, you can bet on that!"

The Old Miner Makes A Promise

When Allie heard Josh's voice she had turned too quickly and had injured her ankle. She cried out and said she thought she had broken her leg. Josh quickly picked her up and put her in the back seat of his car. Justin drove as fast as he safely could. Ally could not stop crying. "Josh, why does it seem that I'm always having bad luck? It seems like every time I turn around something happens. Just think about it. Lately somebody has been dumping animals on my ranch, the other day my bank credit card was declined and then there's you! You don't want any part of me or the ranch. And that crazy video will of Uncle Bill's. Am I going to lose the only chance I've ever had at happiness? Oh I just want to give up. Maybe I'll catch a slow boat to China or sail the seven seas. Maybe I'll just move back to Springfield and be a waitress again. Ohh, I'm so sad and besides that my leg is killing me!"

The staff at the hospital soon had her leg x-rayed and she was whisked off to surgery. She had a broken ankle, not a broken leg. However, it did need surgery. The doctor told her she would be laid up for about six or eight weeks. Crutches were her near future, not working with horses and running a Dude Ranch.

Josh had been sitting by Allie's bed until she woke up from surgery. He was so worried about her. He and Justin had come to the conclusion that she needed a lot of help not just since her injury, but all the time. A big ranch like the Double D took more than one person to run it. Justin had once again gone back to the lawyer to see what could be done to break the will. He wanted Josh and Allie to own the ranch together. He would gladly sign his share away so that the two of them could be partners. What was one year? Nothing in the grand scheme of things. He wanted a life of politics and helping others. He also wanted to get to know his mother better. She had been hiding so many secrets from him especially the fact that he had a twin brother! She probably had good reasons for separating them, but he would give her time and try not to be angry at her. He had found out that she had moved back to the small town she had lived in for many years. She told him that she was tired of running away from her problems. She was going to face up to them and get on with her life. "I wonder if Mom would like to move back to the city with me? Maybe we could get to know each other better. I have a big house. She could even move in with me if she would like to. Yeah, I think that's a great idea. I'll run that by her after I hear back from Blake."

Josh's grandfather knocked softly on Allie's door and asked, "Is it alright if I come in and see to this young lady?" Josh was surprised to see his grandfather but said, "Sure. She's going to be okay, but is going to be so grouchy. I'm going to have my hands full," he laughed.

"Oh, are you going to stay at the Double D and help out?" asked Rex. "Yes, I sure am. I have it all figured out. I can do two things as once. I am going to make one of the cabins into an office for me. I love geology and want to continue doing what I love for a living.  That way I will always be there for Allie when she needs me. Did you hear about the conditions of Bill's will?"

"Yes, I did. How in tarnation did he get that in his head anyway? I never would have given him that ranch if I'd known he was gonna do that."

"We'll never know, I guess, Grandpa, but it is what it is. We'll make a go of it. We fight like cats and dogs, but I do love her you know." His grandfather laughed and said, "The whole town knows that, boy. Pat and I go to bingo at the nursing home once a week. We've all been taking bets to see how long it was going to take you to find that very thing out." He gave his grandson a hug and said, "Well, it looks like you have finally become your own man. I'm proud of you son. Pat and I will be out to help with anything that you two need."

Allie opened her eyes and said, "Well, aren't the two of you something? You think you can just figure out my life for me without me having a say? I'm tell you what, Mr. Josh. You cannot just take over my life like I'm a child. I'll have you know..." With Josh's gentle loving kiss she was not able to finish her sentence and Rex quietly walked out the door with a grin on his face. "Yep, that boy takes after his old grandpa that's for sure. They'll make a great team. I think I'll go home and tell Pat I'm going to be gone for awhile. I have an idea that just might make those kids' lives a little easier."

The sheriff finally got the whole story out of the crooks he had arrested. K.R. was behind the whole thing. He was blackmailing them and giving them instructions from his prison cell on how to run Allie off the ranch. The sheriff had made phone calls to the prison warden and had him check the visitor log. Sure enough Allie's old neighbors had been visiting K.R. once a month. K.R. was put in solitary confinement never to have contact with those two or he would be spending many lonely years in the pokey.

But unknown to Josh and Allie things were hopping out at the Double D. Their story was not finished

Belle Makes A Discovery In The Campground

 Belle had told her mother that the old campground was a little spooky. She said she felt like she was being watched and could almost feel and hear animals in the woods. She did have a good night's rest in the camper though and woke up starving! "I'm hungry this morning, Mom. What's for breakfast?" Her mother grinned and said, "How's bacon and eggs sound? I even have some frozen waffles to toast. There's orange juice in the fridge. Why don't you pour both of us a glass while I get breakfast together. This campground isn't so bad. It is nice that we have propane and batty power to run the fridge though. Nice cold orange juice will hit the spot this morning."

Belle thought she heard something outside. "Mom, I think there is someone outside. Do you think it's the robbers? I don't think I'm  hungry anymore. Maybe we should just go home." Her mom smiled and said, "I went outside this morning before you woke up. Everything is fine out there. Of course, there will be animals in the timber. It's okay. Why don't you take a look? Breakfast will be ready in just a bit."

Belle looked around the campground, but it was no longer empty. There were animals everywhere! There were horses, dogs, cats and whatever else she wasn't about to look for. "Mom! Come here! Look at this. There are animals everywhere." Belle's mom came to the door and looked around. "Yes there are animals all around us.  It looks like these animals are hungry, Belle. I don't think they live here. I think they have been looking for food. Some of them are thin. Let me call Allie at the Dude Ranch. I think she will know what to do. Why don't you come in and get them some water. I think I have a big bucket they can take turns drinking from."

As Belle started walking back to the camper she thought she saw something familiar laying in the trees and tall grass. "What is that, I wonder?" As she walked towards the tall grass she yelled, "Mom! Henny is here! I have found Henny!"

Belle's mom came out of the camper on a run. "Where? Show me. Oh dear. She looks the worse for wear, doesn't she? Did you find your purse and sunglasses too? No. Well, let's be grateful you found your little friend. What do you mean she's lumpy? Let me see. Oh, you are right. And she's really heavy. Let's take her in the camper and see what is going on." 

When they got in the camper they put Belle's favorite stuffed animal on the table. Sure enough there was something stuffed inside. "Look there is a bag. It looks like one of those old money bags people used to take to the bank to deposit their money." Belle's mom pulled it out and poor Henny was now really skinny. "What's in the bag, Mom? Oh wow! I think that's silver. You don't suppose those robbers had stolen this and had put it in Henny's tummy, do you?"

"I don't know, my Belle, but we need to call the sheriff about this." 

While she was on the phone Allie, drove up. When she got out she saw some of the animals scurry into the woods looking for safety. "This just has to stop. Why are people doing this to me? It's almost like they want me to go back to the city." She stood there looking around this old campground thinking about her ancestors and what they did with this land. She should call the old miner. He probably could tell her stories for a week.

Justin and Josh had a long talk. Neither one of them wanted to work the ranch. Justin was only interested in politics and helping the people in his state of Illinois. Josh loved the ranch and Allie, but he didn't want ownership of the ranch. He had an idea and decided that he would talk it over with Allie to see what she thought. "Want to come out to the Double D with me and see what you're missing?" he joked. Justin said, "Sure. I'd like to see Allie on her home turf and just take a look around." About that time Josh saw the sheriff in his rear view mirror. He soon passed them. "The sheriff's in a hurry and he's got his lights and siren on. I wonder where he's off to. Oh no, he's turning into the Double D. What else can happen to Allie? Look over there! There is a group of riders and horses coming across the south pasture. What's going on? Hold on Allie we are on our way."

Lightfoot had gotten Merlin's message. It had taken some doing, but as usual his very sharp teeth had worked wonders on the rope that his human had tied him with to the trailer. They thought they were going to clean his teeth, but that wasn't happening today! He had a job to do and he was on his way!

"Quit yer screaming you big babies. This is what you get for being mean to a little girl. My partner and all his buddies are coming soon. In the meantime you just sit still and I won't bite you very hard, just a little to remind you of all the bad things you and your partner did."

Soon the sheriff, Allie, Justin and Josh saw what was happening and oh how they laughed. One little horse had two bad guys pinned with his sharp teeth. Every time they moved an inch he either would bite harder or kick them in the shins. The sheriff ran over and handcuffed the robbers just as Merlin and all the horses and their owners were arriving.  He put them in the patrol car and went to talk to Belle and her mom about the money bag. He verified that the bag was indeed full of silver. The thieves had a lot of answering to do. He took the bag as evidence and proceeded to take the culprits back to town in a very small eight by ten cell where they could cool their heels.

Sarah took one look and said, "Lightfoot, now what are you doing? I left you tied up so I could clean your teeth and here you are rounding up the bad guys. Merlin stomped his foot and shook his mane congratulating his little friend when he realized that Penny wasn't on his back. "Penny, where are you? Did you jump down? Or did you fall off. I hope you are okay." Merlin watched the humans with sad eyes. He knew that something had happened to his friend. He turned around and started walking back the way that he had come. "Penny! Where are you?"

Laura and Paul drove into the Double D house yard as the sheriff was leaving. "I wonder what's going on now? Paul be careful. Look there's a horse in the road and isn't that Allie?" Paul slowed the car to almost an idle. He stopped the car and watched as Allie was dripping water into a hen's beak. The huge golden horse was making soft noses and blowing softly through his nose as he bent down to check on his little friend. "Laura, I think that chicken is ours. Wasn't she just sitting on the fence the other day? I love the way she likes to visit with us when we have coffee on the back porch. Yes, I think that's her. I wonder how in the world she got all the way out here. Honey, she doesn't look so good. Allie, I think that's our chicken. We'll take her home. Thanks for taking such good care of her. We have no idea how she got all the way out here."

As Paul reached down to pick up the chicken Merlin started to shake his head and get in between Paul and the car. "What's wrong boy? Do you and our little hen know each other?" Merlin's front leg pawed the dirt and gave a loud whinny. "I think you are friends. Well, I'll tell you what, boy. We are going to take her home and give her lots of good food and water. She will be comfortable with us. Okay?"

Allie watched the horse respond to the man and wondered how a horse and a chicken could ever be friends, but then she grinned and thought, "I guess they can be friends if Josh and I can. But he is so maddening." About that time she heard a noise behind her. She whirled around and fell. On the way down she twisted her ankle. She screamed in pain. " Wonderful, I think I just broke my leg!" Paul gave the chicken to Laura and he and Josh picked up Allie and put her in the back of the Josh's car. They were on their way to the hospital.

Her first and only paying customers were wondering what to do now as they watched the owner of the Double D Ranch being rushed to the hospital probably with a broken leg. This was not what they expected their vacation to be like. However, it was kind of exciting though.