I know it's a month beyond when I said the next chapter would be posted, and I'm sorry. The holiday season just took over for both PoetLaurie and me (as well as my travels with my family). We have been working on the fic here and there, as we've had the time, but it's a big job to get something written and posted, especially when chapters are as long as ours and we're trying to pay careful attention to the details. Also, with my anxiety, it's honestly rather daunting to have such a big task looming over me, especially with the nature of the internet these days, and the fear that people will be ugly if it's not "perfect." I do this simply for the love of these characters and their world, not because I'm looking to become a professional author, so the pressure can get to be a lot.

Since there are only a few chapters left, and to make this a little less overwhelming, we've decided to break the next chapter up into two parts, instead of keeping it as one of our typically very long chapters. The first half was more complete, and easier to finish up, so that's what I'm posting here. The second half will be up when it's ready - might be next month, but it might be March, too, since my family and I are going to Disney World in February. I'll get it posted as soon as possible.

Don't forget to visit the Jessie's Journey Pinterest board (at username yodelincowgirl) for this month's pins!

Toy Story still doesn't belong to us. If it did, we'd already know about plans for more adventures with the toys in the future - it's sad now that Toy Story 4 is over, and the Disney+ programs are winding down with nothing new on the horizon (fingers crossed for more Forky). The 2010s spoiled us with so much Toy Story! Anyway, enjoy, and be sure to fave and follow so you don't miss out on how this fic is going to wrap up!

Chapter 27

Buzz trudged heavily across the yard, lacking the usual athletic spring to his step. His hair, which most of the time was impeccably groomed, hung in his eyes, and two days' worth of stubble shadowed his chin. Inside the barn, he walked over to where the hay was stored and picked up a stable pail, neglecting to fill it before shuffling over to the waiting horses.

"Works better if you put some hay in there," Woody smirked, as he came around the corner and caught sight of both the empty bucket in Buzz's hand and the unfilled hay racks in Astrónomo and Buttercup's stalls.

"What? Oh," Buzz sighed, setting down the pail and leaning against the stall. "I'm so tired, I don't even know which end is up."

"Not so easy is it? This parenting thing," his brother-in-law chuckled. "I take it you're not getting much sleep?"

"We're not. Now that Mamá has gone home, it's so much harder to balance everything. Jessie's trying to get him on a schedule, but… when do they start sleeping through the night?"

"Depends. Penny, it was two weeks. Bea, two months. And Andy still has his ups and downs." Woody gave his friend a good-natured slap on the shoulder. "It'll get better, I promise. You'll learn how to manage, like we did. Or, you could always invite your mother to move in permanently," he teased.

"Don't tempt me," laughed Buzz.

It was a week later when a beleaguered Buzz and Jessie were taking turns walking Memo back and forth across their parlor. The wailing, overtired infant was fed and clean, but nothing would settle him down enough to fall asleep. His face grew red, his eyes squinting shut and his mouth forming a wide oval with each cry, and little pink fists clenched and flailed in frustration.

"What're we gonna do?" Jessie lamented, as she bounced gently with her son against her shoulder. "Should we go ask Bo?"

"No, we don't need to upset their day, at least not yet. I could telephone Dr. Blythe, and ask him for advice."

"How're ya gonna even hear him on the other end, with all this screamin'?" She hugged the baby closer. "C'mon, bud, it's okay, Mama's here... please stop cryin', or I'm gonna start myself." Jessie sighed. "Oh, if I could only just ride away for a few minutes'a calm… wait!" her eyes brightened as inspiration struck her.

"What? What's wrong?" Buzz jumped up from where he'd been sitting on the sofa, waiting for his turn to walk with his fussy son.

"Hold him a minute, will ya? I'll be right back. I've got an idea!" Jessie passed off Memo to her husband and disappeared upstairs, only to return moments later with the new rebozo her mother-in-law had given her, tied around her shoulders. "I'll take him… that's it…" she carefully tucked the infant in the fabric sling, and once he was secure, grabbed Buzz's hand. "Come with me."

Buzz looked at his wife, puzzled, while she led him out the back door. "Are we taking him for a walk? Walking has done nothing so far…" he pointed out, as they crossed the backyard, heading in the direction of the barn.

"Nope. You'll see." Jessie entered the barn with Buzz at her side, walked up to Buttercup's stall, and folded back the edge of the rebozo as she spoke softly to the horse. "Hey fella, I've got someone for ya to meet. Shhh," she soothed her son, whose whimpers had started to lessen as he tried to focus his newborn eyes on this strange creature in front of him. "This is Memo. He's a part of the fam'ly now, and we hafta take good care'a him." Buttercup lowered his head gently towards Jessie and the infant, and made a low, soft, nickering sound. "That's a good boy. Ya wanna take us both for a lil' ride?"

Buzz's brow furrowed. "That could be dangerous, Jessie. What if Buttercup gets spooked, and throws you both? Or rears back his head and hits Memo?"

"It'll be fine, Buzz." Jessie smiled as the horse gently nuzzled her shoulder. "See, Buttercup already likes him. 'Sides, the motion might soothe him to sleep. You can even hold the reins, and just walk us in a circle around the backyard, if it makes ya feel better. But I reckon anythin's worth a shot at this point. Can ya tack up for me, please?"

Warily, Buzz obliged, and in a few minutes he was helping Jessie into the saddle. "Are you sure you're both safe up there?" he fretted.

"How many times have I beat ya in races around the ranch?" she grinned down at her husband. "I'm plenty comfortable on horseback. Now, take the reins, and take us for a walk, will ya?"

Buzz cautiously led Buttercup outside, and the horse remained calm as he carried Jessie and Memo in a few short laps. The light rocking motion created by the horse's steps, along with the slow, rhythmic plodding of his hooves, served the intended purpose. Before long, Jessie let out a "psst" and, beaming, nodded her head in the direction of her rebozo, where Memo was snuggled down against his mother's chest, fast asleep.

"Told ya it would work," she said in a loud whisper, after Buzz had slowed Buttercup to a stop and stepped over to her side. "Now the trick's gonna be gettin' down and gettin' this lil' fella to stay asleep. We can't stay like this all day," she giggled.

It took a bit of effort for Jessie to dismount without jostling her son awake, and when she was back on the ground she bounced lightly to help adjust him to the change in motion. While she continued to pace across the yard, Buzz returned Buttercup to his stall, praising the horse for being so gentle, before returning to join his family.

"I'm glad Memo's asleep, but we're not doing this every time he's fussy," remarked Buzz, as he ambled back toward the house with Jessie. "That made me a nervous wreck."

Jessie cocked her head at her husband. "Ya never minded when I took Penny or Bea for rides."

"It's different when it's your own, I guess," he shrugged. "So, do we dare go back inside, now that he's quiet?"

"I'm kinda scared to quit movin'. Ya know as soon as we lay him down, he's gonna wake up and start cryin' again. And he needs a nap, or he'll be a bear at dinner."

"We could take a walk through the grove." Buzz suggested. "It's been a while. That is, if you're up for it."

"Sure. I'm awful tired of bein' in the house so much. And since Bo's cookin' tonight, we have some time. Thank goodness," she added with a laugh.

The couple strolled together in the sun-drenched spring afternoon, the leaves of the orange trees casting dappled shadows along their path as they enjoyed a quiet moment together.

Buzz glanced over at his wife and smiled. "This is the first time Memo's been in the grove, isn't it?"

"I reckon so," Jessie concurred thoughtfully. "It's a shame he ain't awake to see it. D'ya remember which one is his tree?" she smirked at her husband.

"I'll never forget," he chuckled.

"Someday we'll be chasin' him all 'round here," she kissed the top of Memo's silken head, which peeked out from the folds of the rebozo. "But I ain't in a hurry for that. When he's not fussin', he's the sweetest lil' thing."

Spring on the ranch soon turned to golden summer, and Jessie was savoring the perfect Southern California weather on her porch swing, rocking Memo while Buzz mowed the grass in the front yard. The baby's bright blue eyes followed every movement of his mother's face, and he favored her with gummy grins as she sang and talked to him in a soft, lilting voice. The tiny laughter and coos that bubbled up from her son filled Jessie's heart in a way she hadn't known was possible a mere three months earlier.

"Good afternoon, sir. Is there something I can help you with?"

Buzz's voice floated back to her, and she looked over to see a man walking down their lane, his hat in his hand. She stood, cradling Memo against her protectively as she studied the stranger. Tall and thin with neat gray hair and a short beard, he had a friendly bearing, and there was something that she felt was almost familiar about his gait.

"Good afternoon," the man replied, "is this the Roundup Ranch?"

The epiphany hit Jessie like a hammer as soon as she heard him speak. "Pa?" The man turned at the sound of her voice, and in an instant she was hurrying in his direction. "PA! Woody!" she shouted back towards her brother's house as she crossed the yard, "Woody, get out here!" Jessie reached Buzz and Andrew quickly, and smiled in disbelief. "Pa, it is you! What in tarnation're ya doin' here? You're the last person I woulda expected to come walkin'…" her eyes widened as she realized what his presence might mean. She hugged Memo closer as she braved a glance behind her father, her breath caught in her throat.

"Your mother's not here, if that's what you're worried about. Nor will she be. In fact, she's probably sold the house and moved in with her sister by now."

Jessie's brow dipped in confusion. "What? Whaddya-"

Meanwhile, Woody had appeared on his front porch, curious to see what exactly his sister was so worked up about, followed closely by Bo and the kids. "Jessie? What is it? What's –" he caught sight of Andrew and his jaw dropped.

Bo shifted Andy in her arms. "Honey? Who is that?"

"Bo!" he turned excitedly to his wife, "It's my father!" He swept up Bea and chased after Penny, who was already off the porch, and in moments the entire family was together. "Well, isn't this a surprise!" Buster joined in the happy occasion, barking and bouncing and circling around everyone's legs.

Andrew was all smiles at his warm reception. "And who is this lovely little lady?" he stooped down to Penny's level.

The little girl smiled shyly, "I'm Penny Pride."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Penny Pride. I'm your grandfather." Penny beamed, instantly charmed by the older man's kind countenance.

Woody introduced Bo, Bea, and Andy; and Jessie followed suit introducing Buzz and baby Memo. "You said Momma was probably at Aunt Molly's. What didja mean?" she asked.

"I divorced her," Andrew said simply.

Buzz immediately reached over and took his son, so Jessie didn't drop him in her shock; but it was Bo who broke the group's stunned silence. "Why don't we go inside? I just made some lemonade."

Once everyone was seated in the parlor, Andrew told them his story. "I don't think it's any secret that your mother and I were never truly happy. I did love her when I asked for her hand, at least I thought I did. Turns out who I loved was only the mask she wore until we were married. She told me later that her parents felt I was her last chance, and forced her to accept my proposal. But even so, I didn't want to just give up, so I kept trying. And then, when you two came along, I couldn't just abandon you, so…" he shrugged. "By the time you both were grown, I'd become almost numb to her negativity. It wasn't until she came back from Penny's birth that I knew I needed to make a change. She said the most unkind things, especially about you and your family, I'm sorry to say," he nodded to Buzz. "She just couldn't stomach anyone giving Jessie the acceptance she had always withheld, I suppose. She also disparaged this place, but it sounded like paradise to me; and I was so glad to hear that you were all happy. After she left the second time, for this little fella's birth," he tousled Memo's fine red hair, sitting beside him on Jessie's lap, "I set to work, getting my affairs in order. I sold the store and got rid of any personal belongings I couldn't bring with me. As soon as she came home, I handed her the papers. She got the house, and I left her enough to live comfortably for a while - although I reckon she'll go live with Molly in her new mansion on Vandeventer Place - I'll never forget that name, since all she could ever do was throw it up in my face. She can have her money and status, since that's all she's ever really wanted; but I was done with her bitterness and hatred. After all the years she deprived me of a relationship with my own children - and grandchildren - coming to see you was the first thing I wanted to do."

While he had been recounting the tale, Penny sidled over next to her grandfather. She tugged on his shirt sleeve and looked up at him with wide blue eyes. Once she had his attention, she spoke with the honesty of a child. "Gramma Pride is mean."

Andrew laughed heartily, and scooped his granddaughter up onto his lap. "Yes she is, sweetheart, yes she is."

Once the family had reined in their mirth, brought on by Penny's innocent bluntness, Woody looked at his father in wonder. "Wait, If you left three months ago, why did it take you so long to get here?"

"I decided to travel a bit, see the Grand Cañon in Arizona, and some other sights along the way. Plus, I wasn't sure what kind of welcome I would find here." He turned to Jessie, his brown eyes welling up, "I owe you an apology, Jessie. I should have stood up to her and come to your wedding. I'm your father, and it was my duty… no, my privilege to give you away, and I failed you." He swallowed the lump in his throat. "I hope you can forgive me."

"Oh, Pa, of course! None'a that matters now that you're here. I'm so glad you've come. I've missed ya - we both have."

"I'm so pleased to see the lives you've made here, you especially, Jessie. I was never happier than the day you turned down that Percival fellow. I'm very proud of you for having the strength to stand up for yourself and not make the same mistake your mother and I did. I just regret it took me so long to realize all the despicable things she was doing behind my back."

"Like her plan to send me to Aunt Molly's and marry me off?"

"Exactly! I got home from work late that evening, to find that you weren't there. Your mother and I argued, but it was no use, you were halfway to St. Louis by that point. And by the time I could have intervened, and brought you home, you had already left. Then there was her trip here this past spring. She got so angry when Woody's letter came - and angry with me that I already knew about the baby - but I forbade her to come and cause you any upset. She acted as if she was relenting, and going to her sister's for a while instead… but when I telephoned St. Louis to pass along a message from Mrs. Pye about donations for the ladies' bazaar, the butler informed me she had already left for California. That just added fuel to my fire."

"Of all the lyin', underhanded, good for nothin'... " Jessie clenched her fist and shook it at the air.

Buzz reached out and placed a calming hand on his wife's arm. "Well, we don't have to worry about her meddling any longer." He turned to his father-in-law. "Now that you're here, you will stay, won't you?"

"I'd be delighted, if you'll all have me. I'm already checked in at the Casa Loma, but I plan to find someplace to rent as soon as I can."

Bo shook her head, "I will not hear of you staying in a hotel, not when your family is here. We have the room, and this is your home, too, for as long as you like."

Woody nodded. "Bo's right. You and I can take the wagon to town to get your things."

Jessie jumped to her feet. "This calls for a celebration. I wish I had time to make tamales, but I can make enchiladas while ya get settled. Just you wait, Pa, you'll love 'em!"

Buzz and Jessie returned home with Memo so she could get started on dinner preparations; and Woody and his father went out to the barn to hitch Bullseye to the wagon and head to town for his trunk. Bo, meanwhile, put her children down for an afternoon nap and set to work readying the front bedroom for her father-in-law. She rolled her sewing machine into the master bedroom, carried out her baskets of fabric and patterns, then unfolded the mantel bed that Emily had been so dissatisfied with. After making it up with clean sheets, she opened the window and shade to let in fresh air as she dusted and swept. When she was finished, and was hearing the first stirrings of her children, she stood back, satisfied that she'd made the room a serviceable retreat.

The Pride men arrived home shortly thereafter, and carried Andrew's trunk upstairs to his new accommodations. And when the family gathered in the Pride dining room later that evening for dinner, it was a joyful scene as Jessie and Woody both were eager to fill their father in on their experiences since they'd seen him last, in far more detail than a letter could provide. Jessie shared tales of her Harvey Girl days, and the outlaws that had caused such excitement for all of them in sleepy Barstow. Woody, in turn, spun yarns about his years as a lawman, and Andrew listened with rapt attention to both his children's stories of the thrilling and truly western lives they'd led since they left Missouri. At a lull in the conversation, he reached for his third serving of enchiladas.

"These are delicious, Jessie! Do you know how wonderful it is to eat food with flavor?" he laughed.

"I'm glad ya like 'em," she grinned proudly. "Wait'll ya have tamales… and some of Estrellita's cookin'. You'll meet her and Zechariah soon, we'll make sure of that. She'll be so happy you're here - oh, I hafta tell ya the story later of her givin' Momma what for, the night Memo was born."

"Did she now? I think I'm fond of Buzz's parents already," he winked.

Jessie's face lit up, not doubting for a moment that her father would get along well with her in-laws. "How's your new room?"

"Much more like home than a hotel would be. I have no complaints."

"It'll be better once we get a bedside table, and dresser, and something more comfortable than my sewing chair," Bo interjected. "I'm afraid all our spare furniture was put to use in the children's rooms."

Jessie giggled, and her father looked at her, curious at her reaction. "It's just that Bo wouldn't rearrange anythin' when Momma was here, and she was mighty perturbed by that."

"Well, her I didn't want to stay," Bo laughed.

"You've come at a very busy time for the grove," Buzz joined the conversation. "Our Valencia harvest starts next week, and we can use all the help we can get for the picking and loading of the crates. I hope you don't mind if I put you to work."

"I don't mind one bit. After years of being cooped up inside in a store, nothing sounds better than rolling up my sleeves and being out in the fresh air and sunshine."

"Wait'll you see your daughter running the packing house," Bo chimed in. "I think you'll be quite proud."

Jessie huffed modestly. "That just comes easy from workin' in the store."

"No, you excel at it, florecita," Buzz was quick to praise.

"Speaking of your business experience, Pa, I might be picking your brain for ideas for the dairy," Woody said. "And I've been wanting to plant some oats and barley for the cows, so that's gonna be a big job, too."

"Looks like I'll be earning my keep," Andrew chuckled.

"Only if you want to," Woody quickly added. "You don't have to work to stay here with us."

"I'm just joking, son," his eyes twinkled with happiness. "I want to be a part of your lives here - every part of your lives. Your welcome has warmed my heart."

Woody smiled. "Buzz and I will give you a tour of the property tomorrow, and introduce you to our ranch foreman, Slink. But tonight's for catching up."

"And peach ice cream!" exclaimed Jessie. "Buzz made it special for the occasion."

The next day, Buzz and Woody took Andrew on a full tour of the ranch. After visiting the dairy operations and getting acquainted with Slink, the three men headed out to the farthest reaches of the grove and pasture land.

Andrew marveled at the expansiveness of his children's homestead. "This is quite an establishment you have here; I had no idea the scope of the property. Do you have plans to expand any further? You surely have the space."

Buzz stared thoughtfully out at the neatly-planted rows of the grove. "I think Jessie and I are comfortable with our acreage, at least for now. We'll see if we change our minds in the future."

"I wouldn't mind enlarging the dairy at some point," Woody commented, glancing over toward the barn. "I'd just have to bring on more full-time help if I did."

"If your family keeps growing at the same rate, you can staff the dairy single-handedly," his father teased. "Three kids in three years; you've been quite prolific, son."

Woody shrugged, a faint blush rising in his cheeks. "Yeah, well."

"That's why I had a telephone installed," Buzz joined in with a smirk, "because Woody left the job of summoning the doctor to me," he chuckled. "I wasn't making that frantic ride into town more than once."

"You would have gotten one anyway. You and your confounded gadgets," Woody deadpanned. "Besides, who returned the favor when it was your turn? And in the middle of the night no less. How good was your telephone then?"

"Now, now, boys," Andrew laughed heartily, and slapped his son good-naturedly on the back.

Andrew had been on the ranch for nearly a month, and it felt to everyone as if he had always been there. As Jessie sat on her front step with Memo in her lap, watching her father play with Penny and Bea in the yard, Woody walked up to her. He followed her gaze and smiled, then sat down next to his sister. "It's almost like he's a new man, huh?"

She nodded, "It is. When he showed up, I didn't recognize him at first; and it wasn't just the beard. He seemed... lighter somehow. I reckon we never got to see him truly happy."

"Not any wonder. I tell ya, Jessie, having him here has been wonderful. He's really taken to this place."

She turned to her brother, "That reminds me; Buzz 'n I have been talkin'. I know Pa said he'd find a place in town, but we have that corner of land back by the foothills that's not bein' used, and ain't much good for plantin'. It's just right for a little cottage, don'tcha think? Then he could have his own place, but still be here on the ranch, with us."

"That's a great idea, Jess! I'll talk to Bo, but I'm sure she'll go along with it."

The next evening, the whole family convened for dinner at the Lightyears', and gathered in the parlor after dinner was done. Noticing that there was enough summer sunlight filtering through the lace curtained-windows to capture some photos of Memo and Jessie, Buzz became preoccupied with his camera and getting the perfect angle.

"Buzz, we're just sittin' on the sofa," Jessie groaned. "How many other photos d'ya have of us like this?"

"Well, considering that your son never sits still, not many that are any good," he said with a smirk, glancing up at her as he framed the shot. "Can you try to get him to hold his feet still?"

"My son?" Jessie looked down at the baby on her lap, who was reclined comfortably against her, his little feet just kicking away. "When has your son ever been still?" she retorted playfully. "Those feet never stop movin', an' that ain't likely to change for a photo. You can take one'a Andy, he's awful quiet over there with his Daddy."

"Hey, don't drag me into this!" Woody interrupted.

Buzz sighed. "Can you just try? Please?"

As the couple struggled to capture a picture of their wiggly son, much to the rest of the room's amusement, Bo picked up the newspaper in the rack next to the chair where she was sitting. As she scanned the pages, her eye caught the headline she had been searching for.

"It looks like the newsboys in New York City had some success in their strike," she read through the article, noting significant points aloud. "The price wasn't lowered, but now they can sell back their unsold papers at the end of the day. That's good, I suppose. Those poor boys - and girls, too, most likely - it's a shame they have to work. They should be in school learning, instead of on the streets."

"They're getting an education in hard work and responsibility, I suppose," replied Woody, "even though their situation isn't ideal."

Bo folded the paper and returned it to where she had found it. "Maybe I need to bring up the plight of working children at my next club meeting. Surely something could be done to ease their lives."

Their photography session having concluded, Jessie rested a hand on Buzz's arm as he placed his camera back in its case. The two spoke in low whispers, then Buzz rose and excused himself to return moments later with a book in hand. He walked over and handed it to his father-in-law with a broad smile.

"What's this about?" Andrew looked up, surprised.

"We have plenty of acreage," explained Woody, "and we would love for you to build a permanent home here, on the ranch. There's an ideal plot out by the foothills and stream - it'd be private and peaceful for you. Buzz got that planbook from his builder today - same one who built this house. I saw some really nice little one-bedroom cottages in there, and if we get started right away, something small could be done by winter."

Andrew flipped through the first few pages. "Several of these would definitely be within my budget, and it would be nice to have a place of my own. Not that I don't appreciate your hospitality; quite the contrary, I'm happy being surrounded by my family - happier than I've been in quite some time. But are you certain it won't take away from land you need for the grove or dairy?"

"Absolutely certain!" Jessie exclaimed. "We won't be usin' that corner of the property for the grove. And Woody's got more'n enough pasture land. One acre for a house won't hurt."

Woody nodded. "It actually helps us, Pa, because you can be another pair of eyes, keeping a lookout on a part of the ranch that's been unoccupied. Between us up here, you back there, and Slink above the barn, we'll be pretty well covered."

"We all want ya here, Pa," Jessie pleaded earnestly. "And we'll chip in whatever help we can to get the place ready for ya. Please say you'll stay for keeps!"

Eager, hopeful eyes stared at Andrew from around the room, and he grinned. "Then it's settled. How can I say no? But I might need some advice from my granddaughters on the perfect house." Penny and Bea scrambled to sit on his lap, and he held the borrowed book safely from their grasp as he turned the pages. "Which one looks good for Grampa to live in here on the ranch?"

"That one!" Penny squealed, pointing to the first house in the collection, a turreted gingerbread confection with a grand porch that wrapped around three of its four sides.

Andrew chuckled. "That's bigger than both this house and yours combined, sweet pea. Let's keep looking for less of a castle and more of a cottage." He continued to survey the plans and illustrations with the two girls, and stopped when he reached design number six. "Hold on, let Grampa look a little more closely at this one." It was a quaint little one-story structure, with a gabled front; an entry foyer off a small porch; a parlor, dining room, and kitchen; and even a bathroom. "This one has potential."

Jessie hopped up from her seat, peering over her father's shoulder as she balanced Memo on her hip. "It's awful cute, but where's the bedroom?"

"Well, it says the dining room can also be used as a living room, and since I don't need a dining room, I could make the parlor my bedroom. It can be closed off, and it would look out over the ranch property quite nicely. Only problem is the front porch is rather small, and what's the use of living in California if you don't have a decent porch to spend some time outside?"

"The builder can make it bigger for you; that's no trouble," offered Buzz. "He was very accommodating when we were building our house."

"I betcha that porch could be stretched all across the front," agreed Jessie.

A couple more pages turned, and then Andrew flipped back to the one he liked best. "Yes, if we expand the porch, this one I think will do perfectly. The rest are all too big for one old man to live in by himself." Woody handed him a slip of paper to mark the page, and he closed the planbook. "Buzz, can you telephone your builder in the morning?"

"I can drive you into town to talk to him in person, if you'd like," he answered, taking the book from his father-in-law. "It's August already, and I'm sure he'd want to start as soon as possible to get it built by winter."

"Yes, that would be fine," Andrew nodded. "Well, then," he wrapped his arms around his granddaughters, who were still seated on his lap, hugging them tight. "It appears as if your Grampa is becoming a permanent Californian!"

Author's Note: Yes, I know that it can be considered unsafe for someone to take a baby on a horse. But people did things differently in the past, before everything in the world became a safety concern. I am not endorsing anyone try what Jessie does with Memo at the beginning of the chapter, nor have I done it myself, so please don't comment and tell me how wrong it is.

Historical Notes: Lawn mowers existed in the 19th century - they were manually-powered and had rotary blades, but still worked quite well (you can actually still buy similar models). Divorces did happen in the 19th century, even if they weren't as commonplace as they are now. Vandeventer Place was a fashionable neighborhood in St. Louis in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Cañon was the 19th century spelling used for the Grand Canyon, so I wrote it like that just because I like that little bit of history. Casa Loma was a hotel built on the outskirts of Redlands in 1896; it was quite grand, and being so new, most likely would have been recommended to Andrew upon his arrival in town as a nice place to stay. The 1899 Newsboy Strike in NYC - which was the basis of the movie and Broadway musical "Newsies" - was a real event. Just like in the movie, they organized and went up against Hearst and Pulitzer for their unfair practices, and came out of the strike with some success. The house plan book mentioned is the same "Barber's Cottage Souvenir" book Buzz and Jessie's house came from, and the cottage's description is from a real design in that publication.