OCTOBER 13, 1861

Jennie looked up when she heard Brandon's voice. She leaned over the counter trying to peer into the other part of the building, but from her position she couldn’t see Brandon, so she exited the post office and went into the Cromwell Mercantile. As she spotted the brothers, She saw the look of confusion on the their faces. "You look like you could use some help?"

Brandon smiled. "Yes we could. We aren't sure what to get the Johnson girl or her young man for their wedding."

"We haven't gotten to know them well enough yet." Aaron broke in.

Jennie nodded. "Well, from what my brother tells me they could use anything for their new home once it’s built. They don't have much yet."

Both men nodded. "Thanks," Aaron said as he went in search of something among the items on display.

Brandon smiled as he talked with the young woman that he was slowly falling for, but he was unsure how to tell her how he felt about her.

Once Aaron found some items that he thought would make a nice wedding present, he showed them to Brandon and Jennie. They both agreed that the bed linens would make a great wedding present, so Aaron took it upon himself to pay Simon.

“Brandon, you ready to go?” Aaron asked.

“Oh yeah, sure,” Brandon put his hand to his hat and nodded to Jennie. “I’ll see you later?”

Jennie nodded and smiled. She watched the two men leave and then she went back into the post office and began sorting mail.