For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance)

by Havig, Chautona

  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

  Winnie’s Pumpkin Butterscotch Cookies

  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.

  Here We Come

  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!