Treasure in the Desert 8

Treasures in the Desert 8

The next morning they went into town to the market place and saw a feast of colors. There were many things to purchase.

Dora said in amazement: it is a "Multicolor party". There were beautiful handcrafted jars, hats and white blouses embroidered with colorful designs.

In the municipal market they all enjoyed a rich "bishop" taco, a typical dish of this place,with the "special" preparation that including pine nuts,raisins, and almonds with a sweeter taste. Then they all went to buy rebozos from the artisans of Tenancingo who do a great job!

Pedro took them down an alley and opened a old shabby looking wooden gate. Inside was not at all shabby. There was a beautifully manicured lawn. Gorgeous trees and flowers. Fountains and statues and a wide path leading up to an enormous home three stories high.

The dogs came out barking at first but when they saw Pedro they came wagging their tails.

“Pedro, welcome you and guests”. Said an older gentleman slowly walking down the path.

“Senior Carlos my friend. I brought some people from the United States to see you”. Responded Pedro.

The whole crew were introduced.

Senior Carlos invited them up to the house to meet his wife Lucille. They chatted for a while then Lucille called the maid to bring drinks and little pastries.

Dora explained how she had tripped over the satchel in the desert and found the letter. She even produced the letter saying her original thought was to give it to the rightful owner and the rest of the contents of the satchel but she searched and could find nothing.

“Then I met Bela and her friends and we all put our heads together and we found you”. Replied Dora.

“Dr Bird Craine would have loved to hear this story”. laughed Senior Carlos.

“I don't understand why you call him by that name”. Said Dora.

Senior Carlos told the crew the night Dr Jess was in the desert hunting for his satchel. There were some Mexican bandits out there whooping it up and drinking. When they saw him they started firing shots. He ducked behind a watering trough but they continued to shoot at him.There were cowhands out there checking on their range cattle and one of the bullets almost winged one of them. They went after the bandits and Dr Jess found his bag and finally caught up with MaMa and I. We made it back here to this property.

Dr Jess said he had another bag in the desert with this letter you just showed me. The bag he brought that night had five million dollars American. He bought this property and had this house built. The bottom story was designed as a small hospital and the middle floor was set up with treatment rooms and beds. He lived on the top floor and treated the poor for free.

My wife and I came to live with him. I was caretaker and she was cook. He did not want anyone to find him for some reason or other...he never told me the reason. I told him he was a Bird Brain because he was always losing things so that is how he got that nickname.

In his later years he found out that his wife and her two children and the man that fathered them were killed in a plane crash. He told me whoever found that satchel in the desert was welcome to keep it and the two million dollars as he had no relatives at all living.

When he passed away my wife and I were given this home and his monies. Dora told him what she had found in the satchel.

“Well my dear lady you had better go back home and open those other packages. You will be in for a great surprise”. Said Carlos.

When the friends returned home they went to Dora's home and she opened the packages and there was the two million cash.

“What are you going to do with this cash”? Asked Bela.

“I am going to take it to my safe deposit box and use it for emergency cash”. Said Dora

Everyone looked at her as though she were a bit balmy. She explained my parents were quite wealthy and when they died I was the soul survivor and as you see I am a bit frugal and I do not have a paying job but I am quite well off.

I see that the “Old Folks Home”as Bela calls it is up for sale at a great price so I will purchase it with a bit of moderations.

“moderations”? Asked Will.

“Yes I will have a small house built on the property for myself and a large tall fence made of wrought iron all around so that people that wander will be secure but also free to go about the grounds in safety.

I will be able to live near you all and we will go on trips once a year. I do love you very much. You are all my friends.

The End.

©Julia A Knaake