Drucilla stood and watched the men working in her lumber mill, despite the fact that it was winter, she was still feeling warmer than she was accustomed to at this time of year. She shook her head as she wondered just how hot it was going to be in summer, and then wondered how she would cope with the heat. She was used to a far more temperate climate, not this awful weather, give her a good blizzard any day.

She turned back to the door of the mill and started to walk back toward her office when she saw him, Javier Cromwell, the young man from the Mercantile. Smiling broadly to the young man she lifted the hem of her skirt just a little so she could move more quickly towards him. She wondered what on earth he could be wanting at the lumber mill so close to closing time.

"Can I help you, Javier?" She smiled as she, finally, made it to his side

"Mrs. Bartlett," he nodded his head in greeting using her recently deceased husband�s name.

"Please," she lifted a hand with a smile, "Call me Drucilla, or Miss Dupont if you must be so formal."

"Miss Dupont," he smiled again. "You may be aware that the town is holding a Valentines dance."

"How does that involve me?" She asked with a quick smile. She knew about the dance Joshua had already asked her to attend as his partner and she had happily accepted.

"Well, all business owners in the town are donating items for use at the dance," he started to explain.

"Some are even donating items for the raffles," he finished waiting for the beautiful woman to question him some more.

"I�m not sure what I can give you, Javier," she spoke quietly. "Lumber is not really the sort of thing I can donate to somebody at a Valentines Dance," she laughed at the picture of some lucky raffle winner carrying his winnings home under one arm while trying to escort his young paramour home. Frowning she gestured for Javier to follow her into her office. Inside her office she took an envelope from amongst the stationery on her desk, and then she turned to open the small safe that was set into the office wall. Lifting several notes from the safe she slipped them into the envelope. Sealing the envelope she heated a stick of sealing wax and sealed her gift, then turned and handed it to Javier.

"I hope this will be alright Javier," she watched as he took the envelope from her hand.

"I�m Sure it will be Miss Dupont," he spoke softly in awe of her gift. "The town appreciates it very much," he started to walk towards the door, but as he was leaving he turned back around.

"Thank you again, Miss Dupont," he spoke before walking briskly from the mill to go and deliver the gift to the town council.