Ernest had thought that it was strange that John and Kitten hadn't arrived in Dreamville yet, so he had sent a letter to the ranch to see what was keeping them. Today he had his answer. John and Kitten hadn't taken the train. They were coming by horseback. He sure didn't understand that. Because it would have been faster coming by train. Oh well, he would have to wait until John got there to explain.

Numerous times he had tried to corner Jacy, but he had failed. He had found out her name from the hotel proprietor, Walter Simmons. He wanted to talk with her to see if she had a twin, but she was always eluding him one way or another. But there was another way to get information. Jacy's little sister had just recently moved into the hotel. He didn't know why, but this was a chance to get to know her better. Then maybe he could find out more about Jacy. He wouldn't ask her right out about Jacy though because he didn't want her to get suspicious and clam up.

Ernest left his room, walked down the stairs and looked into the dining room. There she was. She ate supper about the same time every night. She had only been staying at the hotel for two days, but she had a regular routine that he knew by heart. He walked over to Melissa's table and said, "Good evening, young lady. I've seen you eating here by yourself several times, and since I usually eat alone, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind if I joined you?"

Melissa was weary of strangers, more so since what had happened with Jake. She was about to say 'No' when the stranger spoke again. "Oh, I wasn't thinking. Where are my manners? I haven't properly introduced myself. I'm Ernest Overly. I'm from Wyoming. I've been in town for a little over a month now. I haven't made too many friends though. If you rather not eat with a stranger than I understand." Ernest went over to another table to sit down.

Melissa felt sorry for Ernest for she had seen him many times eating alone. So when her food came, she picked up her plate and joined him at his table. Ernest smiled as he saw her coming over. He quickly stood up and pulled out a chair for her. Melissa smiled back and sat down.

Their meals lasted longer than normal for they talked about a lot of things. Ernest realized that she was hurting enormously because of the situations she had been in the last several days. He tried to soothe some of the pain and offer her some advice. But above all else he was more of just a sounding board for her to pour out her pain to. He didn�t learn much about Jacy, but there would be time for that. He also didn�t find out if Jacy had a twin, so he was still pretty much in the dark where Jacy was concerned. However he had learned a lot about Melissa. And after supper, Ernest walked her up to her room and said goodnight.