After having an early supper at the hotel, Desiree stood outside the saloon to think. She was very curious about what Jacy and Jimmy were planning for the saloon. She thought they should at least tell their employees about the plan, but neither one had come forward yet to explain. She was standing outside the saloon watching the building across the street, the bordello. She really hated that place. It had come and taken away their business.

That girl named Elena was a presumptuous obnoxious little brat. She had watched her several times at square dancing. She would hang all over Luke. How could someone want to take someone else's husband? There are lots of eligible men in town, lots of nice ones and cute ones, too. It just didn't seem right to her.

Desiree left the post and sat down on the bench in front of the saloon. She watched the activity on the street, little as it was. Most of the people were just drifters stopping by the bordello to have some fun. She wrinkled her nose as another fella went into the bordello.

Switching from the bordello to looking down the street to where the saloon was, a movement to the right caught her eye and she focussed fully on it. It was Melissa. She was coming home from school. Melissa was a good friend. A couple of times she had seen Melissa talking with Charity and Elena though. She didn't think it wise for little Melissa to get involved with those two, but she was afraid to say anything to Melissa about it. She didn't want to loose Melissa as a friend.

Melissa unsaddled Braids, said hello to Justin and then walked down the street to her home. She saw Desiree sitting in front of the saloon. She waved to her, and Desiree waved back. Melissa felt a little guilty about not spending some time with Desiree, but she was busier with being the teacher instead of just a student. She would have to try and make some time to go riding with Desiree and to check on her progress of horsemanship.

Desiree smiled as she watched Melissa enter her home. Then she saw another rider coming into town. It was Caller Bob. He rode up in front of the saloon and tied Crossfire to the post. "Howdy Desiree," he said.

Desiree stood up as Caller Bob joined her. "Good evening, mayor."

"How have you been?" Caller Bob asked.

"Not bad, things could be better," she said as her gaze broke away to stare at the bordello again.

Caller Bob knew they were having problems getting clientele for the saloon. He was hoping that Jacy's idea would work. In fact that's why he was in town. "I have something for you Desiree."

"Really, what would that be?" She inquired with curiosity because no one had ever gave her anything at least not without having some sort of condition attached to it.

Caller Bob handed her a gift card. Desiree's eyes grew wide as she read it. She laughed out loud until Ivy came on the scene to see what was so funny. "Desiree, what is so funny?" Desiree handed Ivy the gift card.

Ivy couldn't believe her eyes. "Is this for real?" Both girls looked to Caller Bob for an answer.

"It's for real. Here's one for you, Ivy." Caller Bob handed her a gift card.

Desiree looked over Ivy's shoulder as she read the gift card. They both started laughing. "This should be good." Ivy stated after her fits of laughter calmed down.

"So this is what Jacy was up to." Desiree said.

"Are you going to do it?" Ivy asked Desiree.

"Of course, I can't wait to see him sing." Desiree started giggling again.