Gavin was up a little earlier this morning. He had already ate and was out taking care of the horses when Rose ventured into the barn. "Pa, do you need some help?" She asked as she stretched her body trying to wake herself up.

"No Rosie girl, you just do your regular chores, and then you can go play with your friends." Gavin was in an extra cheery mood this morning because he knew he was going to sell some of these fine horses.

"Alright pa, thanks!" Rose smiled at her pa before leaving to return to the house. She passed her ma on the way inside. "Have a great day, Rose," Jasmine said as she passed her daughter on her way to the barn.

"You too, ma." Rose replied before entering the house. She had to clean the house, and then she could go meet Michael, Jesse, Jemima, and Melissa at the fishin' hole.

Upon entering the barn Jasmine said, "Thanks honey for saddling my horse." She walked up to Gavin and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"It was my pleasure, darlin'." Gavin said as he hugged his wife.

"If I get these horses sold before noon, then I'll come and have lunch with ya." Gavin gave Jasmine a sweet intimate kiss. Jasmine smiled and then left.

Jasmine mounted Lady Jewel and rode off to her boutique. When she arrived in town she saw several ladies walking here and there. She just hoped that some would come to the shop today. She hadn't much business lately, and she was bored.

Gavin was still brushing down horses when Rose came into the barn again. "Pa, Mr. Hatcher is here." He stood right behind Rose.

"Mr. Hatcher it's good to see ya again." Rose's pa came out of the stall and strode up to Mr. Hatcher and shook his hand.

"Hello Mr. McGregor. You have a lovely daughter." Mr. Hatcher stated.

"Thank you," Gavin said.

Rose blushed and started stepping backwards, "Well, I'll leave you two to your business. I still have some housework to do." Rose hurried back to the house hoping that her pa would sell a lot of horses to Mr. Hatcher.

Gavin had met Mr. Hatcher a few weeks ago. Mr. Hatcher had been out surveying the territory for new livestock. He had been lucky to come upon Gavin's homestead and find that Gavin had some good stock on hand. Gavin had told him that in a few weeks he would have his stock all broke and ready for sell.

"My wife went on into town. She wanted to look around and see your wife's shop. You can't take a lady anywhere without her havin' to look at clothes." Mr. Hatcher said it in a good-natured way, and Gavin grinned.

Gavin showed him the ten horses he had for sale. They all were in very top condition. Mr. Hatcher seemed to like them all, but he chose eight out of the ten. That's all he needed at the moment. Gavin was elated and offered to buy Mr. Hatcher lunch at the Silver Spoon. Mr. Hatcher agreed and after Gavin said goodbye to Rose, they rode into town to collect their wives and eat lunch.

After cleaning the house Rose went to the barn, saddled Copper Mist and rode out to meet her friends. She was very happy that her pa had sold most of the horses. Ever since they had moved to Dreamville her family seemed to be doing well. She loved it here and hoped that they would be here forever.

After lunch the Hatchers and Gavin rode back to the ranch. As Gavin entered the barn to get the horses for Mr. Hatcher, he was surprised to see all the stalls open. He hurriedly went to each stall and found them all empty.

"What happened? Where's the horses?" Mr. Hatcher asked.

"I don't know. I just don't know." Gavin threw up his hands and scanned the barn once more. He then got worried about Rose. So without another word he ran all the way into the house. He didn't see anything wrong, and Rose wasn't there. He ran back to the barn and noticed that her saddle and bridle were gone, and he also realized that nothing else in the barn had been touched. Just the horses had been let go. He walked out of the barn and scratched his head.

Who and why would someone have taken his horses? It must be horse thieves. Finally he apologized to Mr. Hatcher about the inconvenience. "I'm not sure what's going on here, but I'm sure as hell going to get to the bottom of it. I'm sorry Mrs. Hatcher, excuse my language, please."

"I understand, no need to apologize." Mrs. Hatcher was very sorry that Gavin had lost his horses.

"Could your daughter have put them out in the pasture to graze?" Mr. Hatcher asked.

"No, she wouldn't have done that. I'm worried about her, too. I'm going to check at the kid's favorite fishing hole and then see the sheriff."