Page 10 of The Ranger

Grandma giggled. “I bet I made your mother forget something, didn’t I?”

“The sugar.” Maida gave her a playful smirk. “Grandma Sadie is having me pick some up.”

“I thought so. But you know Irene and me when we get to talking. We were telling your grandma all about the new cookbook Shona MacDonald gave to me. It has all sorts of nice recipes in it. I wrote down a few for your Aunt Belle.”

“Yes, I know, we had one last night. It was delicious.”

Grandma beamed. “I’m so glad. Now come in and I’ll fetch us some tea. I was just about to have some.”

Maida walked into the parlor and sat while Grandma disappeared into the kitchen. “Is Doc home?”

“He’s out back. He’ll be in shortly.”

She sat and waited. She’d always liked the Wallers’ home. It was small, with only two bedrooms, a kitchen, parlor, and dining room. There was also a patient room beyond the kitchen, and Doc Drake added a bathroom with real plumbing off that.

It wasn’t long before Grandma returned with a tea tray loaded with cups, saucers, teapot, and cream and sugar.

Maida got to her feet. “Let me take that for you Grandma.”

“No need… oh, well, maybe you should.”

Grandma hunched her shoulders and coughed. It sounded fake. Maida eyed her then took the tray. She swore the woman was trying to act old, even though she was.

Maida shook the thought off and put the tray on a low table in front of the sofa. She filled two cups and handed one to Grandma, who sat in her rocking chair by the fireplace.

“Thank you, child. Now what shall we talk about?”

Maida shrugged as she took her tea and sat on the sofa. “Have you heard from anyone lately? The Weavers maybe?”

Grandma sat back in her chair and rocked a few times. “Can’t say that I have. Neither has Irene, and you know she and Mary Weaver are as thick as thieves.”

Maida smiled. The Weavers owned a huge farm in Washington along with a huge family. Some of her uncles had married Weavers over the years, and it was one of the reasons Mama and Grandma considered sending her there to find a husband.

She heard a door open and close. “That must be Doc.”

Grandma nodded her agreement. “The tea’s ready!”

“Coming, Grandma, you sweet thing you!”

Maida smiled. Doc and Grandma Waller might be old, but the last couple of years one would think they’d fallen in love all over again. Everyone in town thought it was cute, and often smiled at the elderly couple whenever they were out and about.

Doc entered the parlor, running a hand through his wispy white hair. “Maida! What a pleasant surprise. What brings you to town?”

“Sugar,” she and Grandma said at once.

Doc wagged a finger at Grandma. “Didn’t I say you were going to make Sadie forget something?” He turned to Maida. “Your grandmother’s memory isn’t what it used to be.”

Maida smiled and tried not to think about it. She loved her grandma with all her heart, and wished she could live forever.

“So, Maida,” Doc said. “How are things on the ranch?”

She set her cup in its saucer. “Fine.” She sighed and hoped it didn’t sound too dramatic.

“But?” Doc prompted.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m eighteen now, and my mother and grandmother are acting funny.”

“Oh, that,” Grandma said. “You can’t blame them, child. You’ll have suitors soon enough.”