"Today, I just woke up, feeling pretty nice. It feels like it's gonna be a very good day."

"Marshall!!! Mail for you!!"

"? I wonder who it's from. Hmmm, it reads: "Barbara, come to my ranch 5 miles north out of town. - V"

"Well, I'll be......this person knows my name. I'll have to ride out there and see what this is about. Take over for me, okay, Dan?"

"Sure thing, Jetstream."

"As I rode through the outside of town, I tried to think of who might have sent that letter."

Jetstream finally arrived on the mysterious ranch, eager to go inside.

"Knock knock".

"Yes, you must be Barbara, I presume? Come in."

"My name is Victoria Montalban. These are my three sons, my oldest son, McCord, my middle son, Lou, and my youngest son, Major."

(All): "Nice to meet you."

"Miss Victoria, if you were the one who sent me that letter, how did you know my na-....wait a minute. There is something familiar about this house but I can't place what."

"Well, that's because the last time you were here, you were very little. You see, you.....are my daughter."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"Your daughter? But what happened to all of you? I hardly remember any of you."

"This house was once a normal house. It's changed a bit since the five of us were in it last, but it has the same memories from all of us. That's likely where your familiarity is. You see, when you were five years old, we had severe financial trouble. Since the boys were older, me and the boys did whatever we could to keep you safe. So when things got worse, I had our great friend, Chief Blue Spirit look after you until we were suitable to take care of you. We decided you needed a proper upbringing. One we couldn't provide. I'm sorry, Barbara. I thought that once we were able to provide a better home for you, we would come back for you."

"I think I understand a little bit more, now. I remember spending a lot of time around the Indian people. Then I left them when I turned 17 years old. Before I became the Marshall of Millennium City, I worked many different jobs before settling there."

"I don't blame any of you in the least. I wanna thank you all instead for wanting the best for me."

"Quite some time after we turned you over to the Indians, the boys and I were doing everything in our power to amass a better home for you. It took a long time, years, but by finding every bit of work we could, and saving up the money we all made, we were able enough to clean ourselves up a bit, and found ourselves doing a little better. Barbara, we know it's probably too late to ask you to come back with us, but won't you please consider it?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Victoria, I wouldn't be able to."

"I see. You've become a strong young lady. I'm glad you're doing well, Barbara."

"From what it looks like, it looks that Chief Blue Spirit did a fantastic job."

"Thank you all."

"I realised I must've learned a lot from the Indian people. I probably wouldn't be a good Marshall if it wasn't for the skills and compassion I learned from them. So it all turned out right."

"It's very good knowing that I had two families. The Indians and this family. Barbara Montalban. That's my name. I will wear that name proudly until the end of my life."

"That's right, my daughter. You will always be Barbara Montalban, of the Montalban family."

"You know, it was really nice getting to meet my birth family. I'm very happy I came out here today. I have to get back to Millennium City, but I'll always remember all of you, as I do plan to come see you again."

"Wait, Barbara. I want to give you this. It's a necklace I was given by your father after you were born."

"What happened to him, Miss Victoria?"

"He died shortly after you were born. Even though he only saw you for a short time, he really loved you."

"He must've been a great man, wasn't he?"

"Yes, he was. He stood for honor and fought for what he believed in, but most importantly, he loved all of you. Well, I guess you'd better be getting back to Millennium City, Barbara. But always know that we all love you. Always have, always will. You're always welcome to come back whenever you like."

"I know, Mama. I love you all too."

(All): "So long."

"Good bye, everyone."

As Barbara rides back in town, she feels a new awareness about herself.

(Thinking to herself): "Just this morning, I didn't have the slightest idea what the letter was about. It turned out to be a huge blessing. I remembered more about myself and met a great family. MY family."