“Hi Jamie, it’s Helen. I know you’re still at work, but I don’t know what to do. The clouds are starting to build and Katie and Arf went off somewhere to do their exercises. I checked their usual place under that tree near the garden and they weren’t there. Oh Jamie…I’m the only one here and I don’t know what to do,” Helen said again.

“I’ll leave right now, Helen. I’ll head that way as soon as I pick Miss Bessie up at the General Store.”

“Please hurry, Jamie. Dina and Steve trusted me to take care of Katie. What if something happened to her? This storm scares me!”

“Don’t worry,” Jamie assured her. “Remember, she’s with Arf.”

***Katie and I had a great day at the river and time had gotten away from us. She threw the frisbee to me for the longest time, and I stayed close by her side as she practiced balancing. She stood without the two sticks she had been using as she learned to trust herself and did exercises to strengthen her muscles.

Later, we sat by the river and I pulled a blanket out of the back pocket of the wheelchair. While hanging on to my neck, Katie lowered herself down until she was sitting comfortably. We were ready for an afternoon snack. Katie took an apple from the basket and I found my second good bone for the day.

It wasn’t long before I sensed something in the air. The wind came up suddenly and I knew there was a bad storm brewing. I nudged Katie and gave her the signal to get back into her wheelchair. She was having so much fun watching a turtle in the water, that I had a hard time getting her attention.

I went around behind and nudged the chair closer to where she was sitting. I only took my eyes off her for a second. When I looked up, I saw her bending over the embankment. I barked, but it only startled her and she fell over the edge.

She was screaming and the choppy water was engulfing her. Katie can’t swim. She can’t help herself. I jumped into the water and tried to grab her. On the third try, I got a piece of her shirt. I had to be so careful dragging her back to safety. If her shirt tore and she got away from me, I was afraid the current would carry her off. She had her eyes closed tight.

The lightning storm was getting closer and the thunder was so loud. How would I get my Katie home safely? I was more worried and afraid than I have ever been.

Steve and Dina got home shortly after Jamie and Miss Bessie arrived. Brad was still on his mysterious trip and Mark was on his way from the bunkhouse. The wind had died down and the air heavy and hot… ominous of things to come.

Where were Katie and Arf?

“They can’t have gone that far,” Steve said. “Mark, you go look in the woods behind the house, Maybe they decided to have their picnic there. I’ll go look near the river.”

“Oh, no!”…Dina said. “It never dawned on me that they might be at the river!”

“Let’s take flashlights and walk up the road,” Jamie said to Dina. “Maybe they’re taking that way home and we’ll meet up with them.”

“My poor baby. She must be so frightened.” Dina felt like she had to do something. “Let’s go!” she said to Jaime.

“Don’t go far, girls,” Miss Bessie warned. “We don’t want to have to look for you, too!”

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

Arf and Katie finally made it to shore. Katie was exhausted. “I want to go home Arf,” she said. “My head hurts.” She was being so brave. Arf knew she was trying hard not to cry. He didn’t know if he could stand it if she did.

***I decided to take Katie to a little alcove in the embankment along the river. It was far enough away from the water to be safe and she wouldn’t be in danger of being struck by lightning.

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

It had warmed Brad’s heart to see how Barbie and Annie had taken to each other. He was waiting for the opportunity to tell his sister that he had been in touch with their brother, Tom. He wanted his family to be a family, but would his siblings ever forgive him when they discovered all he had kept from them?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After visiting with Gloria for a few minutes, Brad walked out the french doors that led to the backyard of the little cottage where Barbie and Gloria had lived for the last twenty years.

Unaware that she had a visitor, Barbie slowly walked around the little flower garden, bending down to smell each bloom as she hummed a song. She had a beautiful voice and Brad could have listened to her forever, but he knew his surprise couldn’t wait that long.

“Hello Sis,” he said. “It looks like you’re enjoying this beautiful day.

“Brad! Gloria didn’t tell me you were coming. Oh my goodness… it must be close to noon and I’m still in my bathrobe. I just haven’t been able to pull myself away from this refreshing morning breeze. Come and give your big sister a hug!”

“You’re all of five minutes older than I am, Barbie. Speaking of birthdays, I brought you an early present. Her name is Annie.”

“Annie? What a beautiful name,” Barbie said.

Upon hearing her name, and as if on cue, Annie walked over and sat down in front of Barbie who upon hearing a little whine, knelt down to give her new friend a hug. Brad was right behind Annie and watched his sister and her new friend begin what he knew would be the best thing that ever happened to either of them.

Barbie was Brad’s twin sister. Everyone thought she had died in the fire along with their parents. In truth she was close to death when Brad found her. Everyone had left the scene leaving him standing in front of the still burning house. For some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to leave. He remembered thinking how strange it was that such a terrible thing could happen during the light of day, but the stars, serene and sparkling in the sky, came out that night.

The small fire department in the town where they lived did their best to find the the three people who had died in the fire. They found two badly charred bodies and assumed the third had been burned to ashes.

As Brad, who was only sixteen, stood there in the quiet of the night, he thought he heard a sound coming from the little potting shed that stood just a few yards from the house.

He heard it again as he walked to the shed and flung the door open.

“Barbie! is that you?” He shouted. He reached for the flashlight he knew would be above the door. The stream of light searched the shed and in the corner was his sister… her body was badly burned. Wondering how she could even be alive he realized she was reaching out to him with a badly burned hand. Before he could get to her, she mercifully fell into unconsciousness.

Brad was brought back to the moment by seeing the look of excitement and happiness on his sister’s face.

“Thank you so much, Brad. I love Annie already. I wish I could see her!”

Brad had intended to take Arf with him on his trip, but after some discussion it was decided Katie needed him more. It would not do for her to get complacent with her physical therapy and Arf was a big part of keeping her on track.

The next morning while on her way to work, Jamie contemplated what she should do next. Brad was clearly unhappy with her. She supposed she had stuck her nose into his business one too many times and now he was being mysterious about being gone for a few days. Before she had reached any conclusions, she arrived at work.

It was a busy day and it wasn’t until late in the afternoon that Jamie had a chance to go say hello to Annie. Poor girl…she would always have a home at the clinic, but Jamie often questioned if that was the right thing for Annie.

She was almost to Annie’s quarters when she and Dr. Stillwell crossed paths.

“It’s been a busy day, hasn’t it, Jamie? I haven’t even had a chance to tell you abut Annie’s good fortune. She was adopted early this morning.”

Jamie felt like she had been kicked in the stomach. Of course she had always known it was a possibility that one day she would bring Arf for a play date and Annie would have found a new home. One thing was for sure…Arf was not going to take this well. Could anything else troubling happen to her today?

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

***I guess it’s a good thing that I don’t have much say in things. I need someone else to decide where I need to be. I’m glad that I didn’t have to go with Brad today. I ran out on Katie to go with Tom. I blame it on my instincts. Dogs have keen instincts at least that’s what we hope everyone believes. Well, my keen instincts tell me that Katie and I need to work hard today. I hope Grandma Helen packs us a good picnic lunch and she puts one of those good bones in there for me. I think I’ll take Katie down to the river. It’s not that far, and it’s such a pretty day.

I love the river…

Everything happened just as Arf had hoped. Grandma Helen packed what smelled like a delicious lunch with an added bonus. She threw in a brand new frisbee.

“Here, Arf,” she said. “It will strengthen Katie’s arm and shoulder muscles if she throws it to you.”

Just as the screen door shut behind them, Grandma Helen hollered. “Keep and eye on the weather. There is a chance of a lightning storm coming through here sometime this afternoon.”

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

Brad had driven for five hours before finally arriving at the beautiful little cottage. The lady who came to the door seemed excited to see him.

“Come in Brad,” she said. “Barbie is sitting out back. You know how she loves to be outside on beautiful days like this.”

“Thanks Gloria. As you can see, I have a surprise for her.”

“You must know how thrilled she is going to be. She has improved so much, Brad… both physically and mentally.”

“It’s been a long ordeal, but Barbie has finally turned the corner. I think it’s time,” Brad said.

“Maybe so…I just ask that you tread lightly, Brad. We don’t want to undo what has taken twenty years to accomplish.”

I know what happens next in Arf’s story, but I don’t have time to write it, so I’m modifying a rerun I ran across. I wrote it to go with a photograph my friend Dianna took a while back. Anyway, before I get to the story, I have to pay a few bills so I’m going to introduce you to a few of my new sponsors.

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

Have you spent thousands of dollars on new dentures, or sat there while tiny laser beams whitened your teeth to the tune of $70 or $80 dollars? Or maybe you have bought the white strips and tooth trays filled with gunk. It doesn’t take long to sink a fortune into the quest for beautiful teeth. Think about it for a minute. The only thing you need perfect teeth for is …Pictures!..you can eat soft food and pay less than $20.00 for these amazing plastic veneers and be done with it. According to the picture on the box, the transformation is absolutely stunning. These are seen on TV. What more do you need to know? (I get $.50 for every box I sell…2 million boxes, equals 1 million dollars. Now that will make me smile 🙂

Now can you think of one person that doesn’t need a Glowbowl? It’s a motion activated night-light for your toilet. It comes in four colors. I’m sure they are all beautiful, but I wouldn’t recommend red. It might cause your guests to become needlessly alarmed. I sort of like the blue color pictured on the box. As you can plainly see, this remarkable invention has been selling for $9.88 and has been reduced to $9.88. Hmm, hold off on making these fly off the shelves for a while. I need to check my portion of the Glowbowl proceeds. It says it was designed in these United States so I’m sure I’ll be able to straighten it out before you accidentally drop your sparkling white veneers in the commode and they turn blue.

I was going to tell you about the sunglasses advertised on TV, but I heard reports they make your eyes cross, so I tore up the napkin I signed. I have my reputation to protect.

Well, just like when you’re watching TV, the commercials take up most of the time. I do have a little “let’s pretend” story for you.

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

I’m going to make up a story about this old building

I remember sitting in this old school house. I could look out the last window in the back and see the changes in the seasons. Since it doubled as our country church, I spent 6 days a week here. On Saturdays I did my homework, so I was being truthful when I told everyone I was here every day of the week.

In this little building out in the middle of someone’s pasture, I learned about life everywhere else. I learned how to count as high as I would ever need to, and I learned to count my blessings.

I learned how people survived hardship and how some did not survive success. I learned the happiest people are those who truly care about others. I learned how to pray for strength, courage, and wisdom. I learned how to be humble, grateful, and compassionate.

I learned that nothing is forever, and life would be better if I learned to embrace change. I figured out that we all come from a long line of people who aren’t with us anymore, and we should be proud of our heritage.

This old building shaped my life. I wouldn’t be who I am if I hadn’t come here when it was too cold, or too hot. I learned everything from how to tie my shoes by watching my classmates, to what love is and isn’t from reading 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7.

Remember this is a “Let’s pretend” story. I kind of wish it were true. Learning and living are two different things, but so are saying and doing. I think I might have leaned something from what I just wrote.

***Well, I’m back at the ranch. It was fun helping Tom, but I don’t think I’m cut out to be a firefighting dog. Katie wasn’t too happy with me at first because they had to put off going to the place where people are sick and like to pet dogs. We still have work to do, anyway. We can’t sit on our laurels. We have to keep up with the physical therapy. Katie wants to be able to run.

Grandma Helen was sitting in her favorite rocking chair on the porch. It was a beautiful morning and the view was truly magnificent.

“May I join you, Mother? I have some tea for us and slices of your delicious banana bread.” Dina put the tray down on the little table next to Helen.

“Of course, Dina…I was just thinking about you. I hoped we might have a little time together, today. Please…sit down, dear.”

The two of them sat in silence for a few minutes and enjoyed the the peaceful morning.

I’m glad Arf is back,” Helen said. “It was nice of Tom to bring him all the way back to the ranch. I wonder what possessed that dog. He should have known we would all be worried sick about him…especially his Katie.”

“Arf isn’t like most other dogs, Mother. He’s highly sensitive to people’s needs. I guess he thought Tom needed him.”

“I suppose,” Helen said. “Do you remember that little dog you and Steph had? You named him Toto after the dog in The Wizard of OZ.”

“Yes,” Dina chuckled. “That was our favorite movie. We begged for baskets for our bikes so he could ride with us like Toto rode with Dorothy.”

“You promised you would take turns but that didn’t work out too well.”

Dina took a sip of tea and turned to her mother. She had tears in her eyes.

“I need to say something to you, Mother. I know I was wrong. I told myself that all I cared about was time with Katie. I didn’t need anyone’s forgiveness for leaving the way I did when she was a baby. I thought I was mentally prepared to accept Steve’s anger as well as yours. I thought a relationship with my daughter was a long shot, but it was all I needed. Now I want more. I love this crazy, amazing family.

“I’m your Mother, Dina. I won’t say it didn’t hurt, but after spending time with you again, I have begun to understand what you must have been going through. You were so young. You had a baby that would need a great deal of care and on top of that, you were told you had a terminal illness. You must have panicked at the thought of Steve having to take care of both of you and everything else. Did you not know that I would be there for you?”

“I wish I had told you, Mother. As it turns out…you were there for me. You did what I should have been doing, and I will be forever grateful to you for that.”

“Thank God for the miracles we’ve experienced with both you and Katie. Have you had this talk with Steve?” Helen asked.

“No. We’re both concentrating on Katie right now.”

As the, two were talking, Jamie drove up in her Jeep.

“Jamie must be here to pick up Miss Bessie,” Helen said. “She took a job at the General Store. She’ll be working with Steph…part-time of course… Steph knows that Katie and Steve don’t really need me anymore. I wonder why she didn’t ask me to help out. I guess I have fences to mend with my other daughter, too. Here comes Bessie. Now doesn’t she look ridiculous?”

Let the General Store Gossip begin!

“Good morning ladies.” Jamie took a double take when she saw Miss Bessie. “My don’t you look lovely.”

“Well, I felt it important for me to make a good first impression.”

“Don’t you think the white gloves are a little much? After all, you’ll be handling all those eggs.” Helen couldn’t resist the comment. “Oh look…here comes Brad. He’s riding the prettiest horse on this ranch. I haven’t seen him since the night Tom was here.”

“Hello ladies…where are you going all dolled up like that, Miss Bessie?”

“I’m dropping her off at the General Store on my way to the vet clinic,” Jamie said. “She’s going to be working there part-time.”

Brad looked at Jamie but didn’t offer a response. “Is Mark in the house, Miss Bessie? I need him to take care of things around here for a few days.”

“I’ll go get him for you,” Dina said.

Arf came out and sat in front of Jamie. He must have thought she needed a rose.

The morning after all of the “Will” issues were resolved, a very disappointed Miss Bessie decided at the risk of upsetting Alice, the cook, she would get breakfast started.

“I never,” she said. “Brad the same as kicked me out of the garden and his office. Now I have no idea what’s going on between Jamie and him. That’s why I snooped at that will in the first place. I wanted to know if Jamie was going to be in trouble…again. See if I ever try to help anyone out of a sticky situation…again.”

“Are you talking to anybody in particular?” Mark asked as he walked into the kitchen. “I don’t see another soul in here, but you.”

“Mark dear, sit down and let me make you a cup of coffee just the way you like it. You know, I have grown very fond of you, and you strongly resemble my late husband, Harold. It has crossed my mind that I might be your long lost mother.”

“My mother isn’t lost. Besides,” Mark added. “You never had children. What’s going on with you, Miss B.? You seem sort of melancholy this morning.”

Miss Bessie stopped scrambling eggs to bring Mark’s coffee to him.

“No one is up yet, so you don’t need to hurry yourself fixing breakfast. Why don’t you sit down and have a cup of this delicious coffee with me. I have to wait for Brad to finish inspecting the horse I’m delivering today.”

Miss B. wiped her hands on her apron and sat down across from Mark.

“I feel out of place here,” she said. “Everybody has someone to fuss over but me. Even Arf is spread so thin he doesn’t know if he’s coming or going. I miss my farm and the chickens and the cow, but it all belongs to Jamie now, and truthfully, I don’t know if I could live there by myself, again.”

“This might surprise you, Miss B., but I sort of feel the same way. I work on this ranch all day and then maybe come here for a good meal, but my home is the bunkhouse. Don’t get me wrong. I love the ranch and Brad is a super guy to work for. It’s just that some days I think I’m missing out on something. I know I am.”

Before Miss Bessie could say anything, the phone rang and she got up to answer it.

“Hi Jamie. You’re up early…Well, I’m pretty busy. There’s plenty to do around here you know, but I guess I have a minute. What can I do for you?”

When she got off the phone, Miss Bessie couldn’t wait to tell Mark about her conversation with Jamie.

“I’m desperately needed at the General Store in town. That old lady who has been there for years and years is retiring and they need someone to help out part-time. Jamie said I can work the days she goes into the vet clinic and I can ride with her. That way, I don’t have to drive. I’ll be the store’s egg head person I guess. After all, I sold eggs to that store for years. Jamie said I should try it, and if it’s too much for me, then they’ll just have to find someone else. I’m sure I’m more than capable of handling whatever comes up.”

Miss B. took off her apron and was on her way out of the kitchen, when Mark spoke up.

“Where are you going? I’m hungry now.”

“Oh, Mark. I’m sure Alice will be here momentarily.”

As Miss B. was leaving, Dina was coming in.

“Good morning, Mark. Have you seen Arf this morning? We’re getting ready to go to the hospice facility and we were planning to take him with us. I know the residents would enjoy a visit from him

“I haven’t seen Arf this morning. He’s not with Katie?”

It is rather strange, but he didn’t come to Katie’s room last night. She hasn’t seen him either.

You might give Jamie a call to see if she took him home with her. I know she’s there because she just called here and talked to Miss B. I’ll go check out his usual haunts around the ranch.”

“Thanks Mark. I’m getting worried. I’ll call Jamie now.

Arf was nowhere to be found. No one had seen him since they all had the big meeting in Brad’s office the night before. Brad and Tom had parted friends, but it had been pretty tense for a while.

***I know I was supposed to go somewhere with Katie today, but something came up last night, and I thought I could help more somewhere else. I don’t know Tom well enough to understand him, but I can sense fear in someone’s voice when I hear it. When he left the ranch, I decided to go with him. He doesn’t know it yet, but I hid under a tarp in the truck bed. I stayed here all night except for when I had to find some water and do my business. Here he comes. Wherever he’s going, I’m along for the ride. I wonder why he’s dressed so funny.

Firefighters and a stowaway dog rescue three people and two dogs as thick smoke and flames approach:

The crew was making a water drop when it was asked to rescue a stranded group. The pilot, Tom Holcome headed that way despite dwindling fuel.

Holcome’s copilot said when they reached the area he saw lots of smoke as well as some people and dogs on a mountain peak. He said the blaze was moving in the direction of the peak where the people were located and the entire area was engulfed in smoke.

With smoke darkening the sky, the pilot and his crew hunted for a landing spot. They finally found a tight and tricky place on top of a ridge and were able to land.

Fire Rescue Pilot Tom Holcome turned the controls over to his copilot and he and the stowaway dog got out to help the people and their dogs, who were terrified of the airplane. The pets had to be coaxed by the firefighting dog to get on board. Apparently they finally trusted him enough to follow his lead.

It was later reported that the fire had burned over the mountain peak almost 10 minutes after they left.

Asked about the stowaway, firefighting dog, Mr. Holcome said he had visited his brother the night before and the dog, whose name is Arf, hid in the truck bed all night. Arf showed himself when they got to the remote airport and were ready to board the plane.

“When we go on a fire and rescue mission, we have no idea if we’ll be gone hours or days,” Mr. Holcome said. “I had no other choice than to bring him with us. It turns out he was a blessing for us as well as the dogs and people he helped save. I’d say he’s pretty brave.”

What was an ordeal for my mother and me, has now become a fond memory.

It was back in the fifties when little girls had long pretty ringlets or short pixie curls.

I wanted long hair, but none of the fuss. Mom thought pink plastic curlers a must.

Once a week we went through the routine. I leaned over the sink while Mom scrubbed my head clean.

I thought I would drown. I shut my eyes tight. It was hair washing day. We were in for a fight.

“The water’s too hot! It’s burning my head.” Mom surely approached this day with dread.

She wrapped a towel around long wet hair, and sat me on books stacked high on a chair.

She picked up a comb and began to wrangle, each section of hair and each stubborn tangle.

“Ouch! that hurts!” I cried out in vain. Didn’t Mom know that I was in pain?

Then came those curlers Mom rolled up so tight. I didn’t think she put them in right.

“They have to be perfect,” I always insisted. “My curls won’t look good if not evenly twisted.”

“You look like a rag muffin most of the week,” Mom said as she continued to curl and tweak.

“You fuss and complain from beginning till end, and I tell myself never again.”

But your curls look so pretty at least for a day. The rest of the week they all fly away.

That routine belonged to us alone. When was the last time? Do I wish I had known?

There are so many things in our lives that we experience for the last time, but we don’t know it’s the last time. It’s not always a bad thing not to know. I’ll never play golf again and even though I can’t remember that last time, I don’t really care.

I do remember the last day I spent with Mom. We watched five hours of music on the public television station and Mom sang “In the Garden” to me. It was her favorite hymn. Once I was listening to my voice mail messages and there was Mom singing her song.

With this covid virus consuming our lives and now the total unrest in our country, I’m becoming aware that last times can sneak up on you and I should make good use of each minute God gives me. Who do I need to spend more time with, and how do I make that happen?

***I primed the outside of the cottage from 7 am until 5 pm. I’ll be back at it tomorrow and Kip is getting to the final stage of completing the deck.

 

 

Jamie didn’t know if it was a good idea to stay for dinner. She had no idea if Miss Bessie had been able to give Brad the Will and if she did had he read it? If he had read it, how did he feel about it? She hadn’t even read it. Maybe she should have.

“I guess the chores can wait for a couple of hours,” she said. “The days are getting longer, now, so the animals should be okay.”

“That’s wonderful,” Dina said. “I’ll go tell Alice and Helen.”

As Dina got up to leave, Jamie couldn’t help noticing how at peace she looked. She had the chance to be with and care for the daughter she hadn’t seen for six long years.

Jamie was also grateful that she had a few minutes to be alone with Miss B.

“I’ve been waiting all day to find out what happened this morning,” she said as she sat down in the chair Dina had occupied.

“Well, I gave Brad the envelope, but he didn’t open it in front of me. He left a short time later, and I haven’t seen him since.”

I’ve been on pins and needles, Miss Bessie. I’ve been alternating between wishing I had read it, and wishing you had thrown it away like you threatened to. Who knows when we’ll know what was is it.”

“I said he didn’t open it in front of me. I didn’t say I didn’t know what was in it. Brad left it lying around, so if he didn’t want others to see it, it’s his own fault,” Miss B. said as she tried to hide the smug look on her face.

“We might not have much time, Miss Bessie. Tell me what it said.

“I can’t,” she said.

“What! you have to. I have to know how much trouble I’m in for getting Tom involved.”

“I can’t because Brad just pulled up. It probably won’t be long now before we know if he’s upset with you.”

Jamie didn’t say anything more to Miss B. because Brad got out of his truck and was heading toward them.

“Hello Ladies,” Brad said as he approached them. “Jamie…what brings you down from the attic?”

“She’s staying for dinner, “Miss B. said. “Isn’t that nice?”

Miss Bessie gave no indication that she intended to leave the two of them alone, which Jamie was grateful for. She might need her support.

“Would you mind going to see how much longer it will be, Miss Bessie? I need a couple of minutes to talk with Jamie.”

“Okay,” Miss Bessie said. “But it won’t be until Lassie’s over. Arf’s favorite episode is on.” With that said, she reluctantly left.

“So what did you make of the Will?” Brad asked.

“I didn’t read it. I put it in the envelope with the note and gave it to Miss B. to give to you. I’m happy to see you don’t seem very upset by what it said.”

“I haven’t read it yet.”

“Really? Miss Bessie found it lying around somewhere and she quite innocently read it. In her defense, she wouldn’t tell me what it said.”

“Well then, can you stay for a while after dinner? I assume you haven’t done your chores yet, so I’ll see if Mark will drive over and do them. We’ll go to my office and catch up with Miss Bessie. Here comes Arf to tell us dinner is ready.”

***After dinner, I followed Jamie and Brad into his office. Katie’s mom was helping her take a bath and there is a window in Brad’s office that I like to look out of. There are always lots of squirrels in the trees. I love this house. I hope I get to live here for a long time.

“Here it is on my desk. Right where I left it.” Brad said as he picked up the Will and sat down behind his desk. “Before we read it, I think I should tell you what I did today.”

Jamie sat down in the chair on the other side of the desk.

“I was pretty sure that no matter what the will said, I wouldn’t lose the ranch. It’s a much bigger operation now. The house is three times as big as it was, and thousands of acres have been added not to mention the the set-up for the horses. Even so, I went to see my lawyer who told me that most courts won’t look at a Will that shows up more than three years after probate has been settled.”

“That’s good news,” Jamie said.

“I suppose so, but Jamie, if that Will says my grandparents intended to give the original property to my mother’s sister or Tom, then I can’t keep it. At least not the house and the original acre that came with it.”

“I can’t say that I agree with your thought process, but don’t you think we should start by reading the Will?”

***I saw a car drive-up so I barked at Brad to let him know. It was the guy who was here the other night. He wasn’t very nice to Jamie and Brad. This time he had a lady with him.

“I asked Tom and Aunt Mildred to join us. I see that they’re here. We’re going to have an old fashioned “Reading of the Will.”

“Hello Tom, Mildred. Please have a seat. Can I get you anything…coffee, tea?”

Both declined.

“I told you there was a Will, Tom,” Mildred said. “Go on…read it,” she said to Brad.

As Brad read the Will a couple of things came to light that answered some questions they all had. Brad and Tom’s grandparents had indeed left the property to their mother’s sister. Sitting there, Aunt Mildred could hardly contain her excitement.

“Hold on a minute, Mildred, Tom should be interested in what follows. Here Tom, you read it.” Brad handed the Will to his brother who looked rather surprised at what it said next.

“I says here that in order to obtain ownership, you would have to pay off the lien against the property that was held by First Cypress Bank. Apparently the bank gave your parents, our grandparents, a loan. You would’ve also had to pay the amount equal to the taxes the bank had paid until they were able to foreclose.

Aunt Mildred was beginning to look rather uncomfortable.

“It looks like you knew all about the loan, Aunt Mildred,” Tom continued. “The explanation goes on to say that the loan was to pay for my expenses including private schooling.” Tom handed the Will to Mildred, and then got up and walked over to the window.
“I don’t recall going to a private school, Aunt Mildred. Was it nice?”

***I was beginning to wish I hadn’t come in here. It was getting too dark to see squirrels and I was tired. Steve has the day off tomorrow and he’s going to take us to where Dina used to work. She wants me to see all of the sick people. Katie is coming, too. I hope these people leave soon. They don’t seem to be happy in their hearts.

“I owe you an apology, Brad,” Tom said. “Everything you said was the truth and this ranch is yours fair and square. Come on Aunt Mildred, we’ve got an hour’s drive to your place and it will take me another hour to get home. I’m on duty for the next few days, too.”

Brad stood up and handed Aunt Mildred an envelope. “I want you to have this,” He said. “It might help the pain you feel because what existed way back then slipped through your fingers. Tom, when you get back from wherever your going, I would like very much to get together. I don’t know what you do for a living or anything, and I really want to know what your life has been like.”

“Tom,” Jamie said. “I haven’t had a chance to tell Brad about your career.”

“I’m a fire rescue pilot and it sounds like the fire I’m flying to tomorrow is deadly. Now if you’ll excuse us, We’ll get going…and Brad, I’d really like to get together with you when things settle down.”

Brad nodded his head and shook Tom’s outreached hand.

“Goodbye Aunt Mildred,” Brad said. “I want you to know you are welcome here, anytime. You and Tom are all that’s left of my original family and I’d like to get to know you both better.”

Jamie was so proud of Brad, and she was so emotional, she could barely say goodbye to Tom and Mildred. Who would have believed the finding of the Will would finally prove that all the blood, sweat, and tears Brad had put into this beautiful ranch had not been in vain.

When Jamie and Arf came down from the attic, the house was quiet and all but the usual nighttime lights were off.

“Well Arf,” Jamie whispered. “It appears that everyone has retreated to their rooms for the night. They must think I went home and you’re in with Katie. She was so exhausted, she’s probably been sleeping the whole time and didn’t miss you. Just a minute, and I’ll take you to her room, in case the door is closed or something.”

“There you are.” The voice startled both Arf and Jamie. “I knew you were around here someplace, but I wasn’t about to go searching for you. It would take me a month of Sundays to look through this whole house.” Miss Bessie was standing in the hall doorway.

“Hi Miss Bessie,” Jamie said. “Arf and I were looking around up in the attic. I love to explore up there and we let time get away from us. Do you know where I can fine an envelope and sheet of writing paper? I need to leave something for Brad.”

***It was good to hang out with Jamie and Miss B., but I wanted to get up to Katie’s room in case she needed me. It had been a long day for both of us and we needed our rest. I decided I would go on up and see if I could get into her room, but I wanted to see if I could remind Miss Bessie that I hadn’t had one of the good kind of bones yet today.

Luck was with me. She had one in her hand. I took it and went upstairs.

“I’m sure we can find what you need in the office, Jamie. Let’s go see.”

Jamie was surprised that the door to Brad’s office was unlocked. She was just as surprised when Miss Bessie just walked right in. It was his private office and it somehow didn’t seem right for them to be in there. It was apparent that Miss Bessie felt right at home. She walked over to a credenza and opened one of the drawers. She took out a legal sized envelope, a pen and some paper and handed them to Jamie.

“Here,” she said. “Will this do?”

“Yes,” Jamie answered. “I just need to write a note and I’ll leave this here. Would you mind letting him know in the morning that I left something for him on his desk?”

“I’ll tell him as soon as I see him.”

Jamie waited for Miss B, to leave, but she didn’t. She sat down in a nearby chair to wait. “Is that the Will?” She asked. “I overheard someone say that the boy’s grandparents left a Will that no one had been able to find. If it were me, I would be tempted to read it. That way if there’s something in it that could cause trouble for Brad, it just might go back to being lost…or maybe it never existed. I wouldn’t do it of course, I’m just saying I would be tempting.”

Jamie sat down and wrote a note to say she and Arf had decided to look for the Will and had discovered it in an old filing cabinet hidden behind a large piece of furniture in a dark corner of the attic. When she finished writing, she put the Will and note inside the envelope and handed it to Miss Bessie.

“I was going to leave it on his desk, but it might be better if you gave it to him. It’s getting really late, and I have to put in some hours at the clinic tomorrow. Thank you so much, Miss Bessie. I’m going to take off now.”

Jamie and Miss Bessie walked out of Brad’s office, shutting the door behind them.

***The next morning, Katie and I got up early and I helped her get ready to go downstairs for breakfast.

We didn’t have to go to our spot to practice balancing, because she needs to learn how to do everyday things. I hope we still go on our picnics, though. I have fun doing things with my Katie.

After I helped her get out of her bed, she wheeled herself around and did everything she could do like wash up and comb her hair. She got the clothes she needed from her chest of drawers and wheeled over to the big vanity with the big mirror. After maneuvering around in her chair to dress, she stood. There was my Katie, standing by herself in front of the mirror with the biggest smile on her face.

“It feels so good to stand here all by myself,” she said. “My next goal is going to be to stand behind Mommy while she sits at this vanity. I’m going to brush her hair. I’ve dreamed about doing that for the longest time. I’m going to walk and stand and do all kinds of things, Arf. Do you think I’ll be able to run someday?”

***Bark, Bark, Bark, Bark, Bark, and Bark….

It was a long day at work for Jamie. Even though she hoped to hear from Brad, she didn’t expect to. What if Miss B. hadn’t given him the envelope with the Will in it. Was she secretly hoping she hadn’t? She decided to drive to the ranch after work. She couldn’t stand not knowing.

“Hi Helen,” Jamie said as she walked into the kitchen at the ranch. “Something smells good.”

“You’re just in time for dinner,” Helen said. “Alice is making BBQ ribs and I just took an apple pie from the oven.”

“Actually, I was looking for Miss Bessie. Is she around here somewhere?”

“She and Dina are out in the garden, I believe,” Helen said as she started to set the table. “Can I set a place for you?”

“Uh…I can’t stay long, today…chores you know, but thank you, anyway. I’m going to see if I can talk to Miss Bessie for a moment.”

The garden is so beautiful, Jamie thought as she walked over to where Dina and Miss B. were sitting.

Photos by Nancy Authier

“Hello Jamie,” Dina said. “Did you just get off work? You must stay for the delicious dinner Alice and Helen are preparing.”

“I can’t tell you how amazing you look, Dina. You’re glowing. Yesterday was a special day for all of us, but it really was incredible for you, wasn’t it?”

“All of our prayers were answered. God sent us Arf and he worked a miracle,” Dina answered.

Jamie looked at Miss B. who was sitting there uncharacteristically silent.

“Oh my goodness,” she finally said. “Steve is home and here comes Mark, but I wonder where Brad is. I haven’t seen him since this morning? Please stay for dinner, Jamie. It will be nice to have everyone at the table.”

It was clear that Tom was very resentful of Brad, and Jamie knew she had a hand in what was happening between the two brothers.

Brad had left the room and she stood there with Tom, not knowing what she could, or better yet should, say to him.

“Do you mind telling me what happened, Tom? I’m not totally sure I should even ask, but if I have caused any kind of confusion, I would like the opportunity to clear it up.”

“I don’t think anyone is confused, Jamie. I think Brad is leaving out some important facts about how he came to own this place.”

Jamie tried to bite her tongue, but it wasn’t going to happen. “If you think your brother fabricated anything, you’re wrong.”

“So you’ve known Brad for how long, Jamie? A few short months? And now you swallow whatever he says, hook, line, and sinker.”

“It doesn’t matter how long I’ve known him, I would bet my life that it all happened exactly as Brad said it did.”

“We’ll see,” Tom said. “I have an appointment with an attorney tomorrow. I’m anxious to learn how a bank could foreclose on a property that didn’t have a loan against it. And as far as the taxes are concerned, Aunt Mildred said my grandparents had their own attorney set up an escrow account for the purpose of keeping the taxes and insurance on the property current.”

“Now I’m confused. Why is this being researched now?” Jamie asked. “Brad has not only owned this property for years, but he has built on it and just look at all the improvements he has made.”

“My Aunt has always insisted that my grandparents willed the property to her. Unfortunately, the will has been elusive. In the absence of a will, the deceased’s assets would normally go through probate and after all debt was paid, the remaining funds would go to the closest living relative.”

Tom kept looking toward the doorway to the hall. Jamie wondered if he was hoping Brad would come back to the room.

He continued his explanation.

“I was stationed overseas when my grandparents died, within months of each other, and I had no sympathy for Aunt Mildred, anyway. It wasn’t until you told me how Brad came to buy the house and property that I decided to question Aunt Mildred further.

When a will could not be found, and Aunt Mildred discovered the house and property had been badly neglected, she backed off. She expected to get a final accounting once everything had gone through probate and was sold, but she never heard anything and assumed the attorney’s fees and payment of outstanding bills had eaten up all the assets. She was naive about the process to say the least, and did not even know the name of my grandparent’s attorney.” Tom paused for a moment. “Neither of us were aware that the property was sold to Brad. Anyway, I hope to get more information, tomorrow.”

Tom turned to leave. “Tell my brother I’ll be in touch. I’ll let myself out.”

Once again, Jamie had a dilemma. Should she tell Brad what Tom had said, or should she let them battle it out themselves? She decided that she would tell Brad…but not before she paid another visit to the attic.

Arf was lying on the floor eating dogfood from his frisbee. “What do you think, Arf? Could you help me find some more paperwork in the attic?”

***Jamie and I went up to that musty old attic again. It isn’t really my favorite place to be, although it is kind of fun to find stuff up there. Maybe there would be some frisbees or balls up in the attic.

When we got up all those stairs, Jamie showed me some scraps of paper and I got the idea she wanted me to play a game. It’s called, I find more paper and bring it to her. I looked everywhere. When it started to get dark, Jamie found a flashlight and started shining it into the corners and the drawers of the old furniture. Then, she saw a filing cabinet way over in a dark corner, behind a bed with a huge headboard.

“Maybe there is something in here that will help us,” Jamie said. She tried to pull the top drawer out and found it was locked. She tried the second and third drawer and they were locked, too. Finally, she pulled on the last drawer. It took some effort, but it opened.

“There is a folder in here, but it looks empty,” she said. She was about to shut the drawer when she almost dropped her flashlight. Arf happened to be looking where the light was briefly shining and spotted something. He let Jamie know that he saw paper taped to the back of the drawer. It turned out to be a small envelope. When Jamie opened it, she found two keys inside.

She put one of the keys in the lock of the top drawer and it came open. The only thing in there was a flat wooden box which was locked with a padlock. Thankfully, the second key opened it.

Inside the box was a manila envelope that held several folded legal sized papers.

“Bingo!” Jamie said. “Good work, Arf. Now…should we see what is in this thing, or should we go straight to Brad and give it to him?”