JUNE 27, 1860

Two weeks after climbing aboard the Deveraux Stagecoach, Josie stepped down into the street of Dreamville. She looked around the quaint little town and as she did, she thought it hasn�t changed one bit. It still looks just like it did only with several more businesses added. There wasn�t any hootin� and hollerin� cowboys riding through town, and that was a good sign.

Javier was sweeping out the store onto the boardwalk and then into the street when he happened to notice Dev driving the stagecoach into town. When he saw Josie step down from the stagecoach, he was totally taken back by surprise. Thrilled to see his cousin, he started to walk towards her, but abruptly stopped because he just remembered that Cody was running the store while his pa was still a Pony Express rider. He quickly threw the broom aside and ran into the store.

Javier told Cody as much as he could about his cousin, and how she probably wouldn�t like his pa riding for the Pony Express. And how she might convinced her pa to go back to New Mexico. Cody told Javier that he would help by going to get Simon while Javier stalled her. Cody went out the back door, went to the livery, saddled Prankster and rode out to the Pony Express station. With any luck Simon would be there.

Javier went back outside to meet and greet his cousin. He kept her outside talking about this and that, mainly the bordello, for as long as he could, but it just wasn't quite long enough. Josie was tired and hungry, and she wanted to go to the guestroom and put her luggage away. Javier had helped her carry her two bags over to the store while she held tight to her purse and her little bag of necessities.

Finally Javier led her inside the store and up to her room. He told her that Simon was out and would be back soon. He didn't look directly at her when saying it. It was the truth, just not the whole truth.

After placing her luggage in her room and following Javier back downstairs, she asked, "When will your pa be back?"

"He should be here anytime. He just wanted to go riding for a little while." It wasn't the whole truth but it still was the truth.

"I'm starving. Why don't you leave a note for your pa, and we'll go get some supper, and if he gets back in time, he can join us?" Josie inquired.

"That sounds like a good idea." Javier went back inside and wrote a note for his pa. Him and Josie then went to the Silver Spoon for supper.

When Simon and Cody arrived at the store and discovered where Josie and Javier were, Simon decided not to join them. Instead him and Cody discussed what they could do about the situation. Cody suggested telling Josie what was going on, but Simon wasn't sure that was wise. Josie might not like it and insist that Simon return to New Mexico. Cody wasn't ready to return to the station yet, and besides no one had paid their fines, so he came up with a plan.

They decided to switch back to their own sleeping quarters and try to work around Josie. They decided that Cody would come to work in the morning and Simon would work in the store, too, until it was time for him to head out to the station because his next run wasn't until early afternoon. They only had one problem. He wouldn't be back in town until the next day, so Javier and Cody would have to pretend that Simon had went to bed before Josie could say goodnight to him.

"Don't worry Simon, Javier and I can run interference for ya when you're not here." Cody said again to set Simon's mind at ease.

"I just hate deceiving her." Simon leaned against the counter. He wasn't sure he liked Cody's plan or not. What if Josie found out and got really mad. She could make life for him here unbearable, so that he would pack up and go back to New Mexico. Before he could say anything else, Javier and Josie entered the store.

"There you are. I was beginning to think that you were avoiding me." Josie grinned and walked up to her uncle and gave him a hug. Simon hugged her back with a frown on his face that only Cody and Javier could see.

"I've just be busy. That's all Josie." Simon said as he pulled back from his beautiful niece. "Did you have a nice trip here?" He asked to change the subject.

"Oh let me tell you about my horrendous ride here." Josie started ranted and raving about her trip, and Simon took her arm and started leading her out of the room and into their little parlor. "Where are we going?"

"I think we should tell me privately." Josie nodded her head and continued with her story.

As their voices droned off, Cody filled Javier in on their plan. Javier was all for it. He thought it would be fun to try and keep Josie from knowing that Simon was a Pony Express rider.

***********

Dev had supper at the hotel with Sheriff Teaspoon that evening. It had been a while since they had did anything together. The last time they were together was at the Easter picnic. Dev had missed Teaspoon. They had a lot of catching up to do, and they spent most of the evening talking about Dev's travels. Dev also gave him a picturesque view of the new resident in town, Josie. Dev and Josie had become friends, and she had told Josie all about Dreamville.

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