JUNE 26, 1860

Blythe sighed wearily as she cleaned up the post office corner of the store. Cody turned the sign to close and smiled at her.

"Long day?" he asked, locking the door.

"You could say that," she grimaced. "I think I'm gonna go get something from the hotel and eat in my room tonight, instead of with you and Javier.

Cody nodded understandingly. "I'll see you in the morning." He headed upstairs thinking that Blythe was a very pretty lady, and that Kid had picked himself a wonderful gal. Then his thoughts turned to his gal as he helped Javier prepare dinner.

Blythe went out the back door of the store and walked to the hotel. Entering, she went to the restaurant and greeted the waitress that approached her.

"A table for one?" the waitress asked.

"Actually, I'd like to get something to take home with me if that's okay," Blythe smiled.

"Sure," the waitress replied. "What would you like?"

"Um, do you have any chicken and dumplings tonight?"

"We sure do," the waitress replied.

"Well, I'll take a serving of those, and some biscuits." The waitress went to give her order to the cook, and Blythe sat down in the hotel lobby to wait. A few minutes later, the waitress came out with her food. Blythe paid her and headed back to her room after promising to return the restaurant's dishes the next day.