For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance) (87 page)

Mibs says:
Well, Vannie is old enough to see what I have to give up to do it, and she really thinks I should consider it.

Luke says:
That girl is wise beyond her years sometimes.

Mibs says:
It just makes me even more determined to stay right where I am.

Luke says:
So you’ve made a definite decision? There’s no doubt at all?

Mibs says:
No doubt. I made myself really look at how my life would be. I forced myself to imagine epidemics of flu, possible rebellion, years of fighting Geraldine Stuart, but when I imagined them gone, it felt horrible to be all alone. I missed them. Not seeing Vannie grow into the amazing woman I know she’ll be, not being the first one to see Ian climb a tree, not
having that daily lesson in how
Cari and Lorna are identical opposites… it broke my heart.

Mibs says:
I just saw myself sitting there as an old maid and it was
horrible!

Luke says:
I see.

Aggie says:
What do you see? I thought you supported me keeping things the way they are.

Luke says:
It sounds as though you’ve decided that I am not something you plan to have in your future. I think I need to go, Mibs.

Mibs says:
That’s not what I meant at all!

Luke says:
Aggie, you spoke of being alone
--
being an old maid.

Mibs says:
Well, that’s my reality today. You seem hurt.

Luke says:
Well, truthfully, I was. I thought we’d agreed that us was a when, not an if. It hurt to be cut from the when.

Luke says:
Ok, so I was a little over sensitive. And, let’s face it, this messenger thing doesn’t convey emotion all that adequately.

Mibs says:
I’ll say!

Luke says:
And what is that supposed to mean?

Mibs says:
Well, just that some things cannot be said over the messenger or in a room full of people.

Luke says:
I’ll agree to that. With this thing, I never get to watch your face so I can see what you are going to say.

Mibs says:
Ok, on that note, I’m going to bed. Tina insists that
we start packing for mom’s next
week. Why a whole week in advance, I don’t know, but she seems to think it’ll take a week to get us all packed.

Luke says:
Did she decide to go up with you after all?

Mibs says:
Nope. She’s staying here and having Thanksgiving with Murphy and William. I think William has another single deputy that he’s bringing along, but I don’t think Murphy is too thrilled. She seems to realize that William has developed an interest in Tina.

Luke says:
Oh, I feel for her.

Mibs says:
Me too, but why do you?

Luke says:
I know what it’s like to watch someone you care for deeply appear to be caught up in someone else.

Mibs says:
You do know that while I might have been blind to your feelings for me, I was never interested in William. Right?

Luke says:
Well, I do now, but at the time, it was extremely difficult to watch. Ellene must be hurting.

Mibs says:
I’m sorry. I never wanted to hurt anyone.

Luke says:
I’d say you’ve turned out to be worth the wait.

Mibs says
: I hope so. I know you have.

Luke says
: Have what?

Mibs says:
Been worth the wait.

Luke says:
What wait?

Mibs says:
If you are that dense, then it’s your problem.

Luke says:
Do you have something you’re trying to tell me? *grins*

Mibs says:
Not on this thing. Goodnight, Lucas. I’ll see you next week.

Luke says:
Goodnight, Gracie.

The End

Preheat oven to 325°

Ingredients

4 cups-
flour

2 ½ -
teaspoons baking powder

½ -
teaspoon ground ginger

2-
teaspoons ground cinnamon

1-
teaspoon salt

- - - - - - *- - - - - -

2 ½ - cups brown sugar

4-
large eggs (room temperature)

2- teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup vegetable oil (light olive is perfect)

2- cups canned pureed pumpkin (1
15 or 16 oz can)

- - - - - - *- - - - - -

2- cups
butterscotch chips

1 ½ - cups of pecans or walnuts as preferred/available.

Prepare cookie sheets by layering with parchment paper.

Mix together:

First set of ingredients in a bowl, stirring well or sifting.
In a larger bowl, mix eggs and sugar until creamy, then add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
Mix butterscotch chips and nuts gently into batter.
Stir in dry ingredients until just moistened (as you would in making muffins).
With an ice cream or cookie scoop, place mounds of dough on the cookie sheets approximately two inches apart
and bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Makes approximately three dozen cookies.
Serve with mulled cider for a great fall treat.

In the hubbub of wedding preparations, Christmas celebrations, and a house full of lively children, Aggie is feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated. Add to that two puppies who are growing faster than she can replace chewed shoes and fix dug fences, it seems like things just can’t get any worse. Then, as she should be enjoying the most exciting time of her life, she’s faced with her worst nightmare.

The Series began with
Ready or Not

Fresh out of college, Aggie Milliken thinks she's prepared for anything life can throw her way. Think again, Aggie! After the abrupt loss of her sister and brother-in-law, Aggie is stunned to find herself the sole guardian of their eight lively children. If learning basic parenting skills wasn't complicated enough, she must also battle the children's half-crazed grandmother, survive a massive remodeling project, and navigate the waters of new friendships-alone. With an unlimited P-mail account and enough hymns to keep her spirits bolstered, she tackles one catastrophe after another. It seems like nothing Aggie does is right, but ready or not, here she comes!