SEPTEMBER 21, 1860
Rachel climbed aboard the buggy and sat down beside Grace. Noah slapped the horse with the reins and hollered "HIYA!" The horse took off toward Caller Bob's place.
It was another Thursday night and time for square dancing. Grace had heard the young riders at the station talking about it all week, well all except one. Cody hadn't mentioned it. In fact every time the others started discussing it and practicing the calls, as they called it, Cody would leave the room. Eventually Grace found out from Rachel that Cody had once started taking lessons but had quit because the young lady he liked had left Dreamville. She had been the main attraction for him to becoming a square dancer.
As they pulled up to the barn, Teaspoon came over and greeted them, "Good evening, ladies, Noah."
"Hi Teaspoon," Noah replied as he helped Rachel down, and Teaspoon gallantly assisted Grace to the ground.
"Thank you, Uncle Teaspoon." Grace smiled at him.
Teaspoon held out his arm and escorted Grace inside while Noah did the same for Rachel. They joined some of the other young riders as they stood waiting.
Caller Bob looked around the barn and was glad that the place was crowded. The class was doing very well and most of them seemed to enjoy it. He missed Jacy though. He knew Teaspoon was doing all that he could to find her and also to find the culprit or culprits that had stolen Gavin's horses. He knew for sure that Jacy wasn't responsible for it, but he sure wished that she had stayed in Dreamville. He would have helped her anyway he could to prove her innocence. Caller Bob put a record on his old photograph player and he said, "Square Em' Up."
"Grace, it's time to square dance. I'll see ya afterwards." Uncle Teaspoon smiled at his niece. He was glad that she had come along with Rachel. She was very shy and needed to get out among people her own age. Too bad Jacy's not here. Her and Grace could become good friends.
Teaspoon was still trying to find out who had stolen Gavin's horses. Deep down he knew that Jacy wasn't the one, but there was no other evidence to suggest otherwise, and both trails were growing colder every day, Jacy's and the thief's trail. If something didn't come forth soon then Jacy would be a WANTED lady. He had refrain from putting out a WANTED bulletin on her so far because he didn't want any low life bounty hunters after her, but it looked like he would have to put out one soon.
After the class learned a few new calls and was doing well at them, Caller Bob called a break. Teaspoon along with Noah and Rachel went over to Grace. Noah took Grace's hand and pulled her to her feet. "Come on. I'll show you a few simple moves." Thinking that Noah meant square dancing she decided it would be alright. She had been watching them at the station and here and some of the calls didn't seem to hard.
Noah pulled her out into the open. "Now do what I do." Noah moved a few feet away from her. He placed his left foot behind his right foot and to the right and then he moved his right foot to the right across from his left foot. "Vine right," he called as he did the move. Grace imitated him. "Then you pivot a fourth of a turn and your left foot goes up and down." He instructed as he did it. He continued to instruct while showing Grace the moves. "Move right foot behind left foot and to the left and then you move your left foot to the left and put it beside your right foot. Then you scoot forward moving your right foot forward, your left foot forward, your right foot forward, your left foot forward and then you bring your right foot up next to your left foot and then the process starts all over again. You vine to the left again." He did all the moves slowly without saying anything while watching Grace do likewise. They did it a couple of times slowly and then they both quicken their pace. "Grace you're doing very well."
While continuing the line dance Noah reminisced about the first time he had been taught the moves. Him and some of the other riders had been goaded by Jacy and Melissa to get up and try it. He hated being called a coward about anything, so he had broke down and learned the dance. Now he was glad that he had. While he had been square dancing he had noticed that Grace had seemed bored. He knew she was a very active young lady. Ever since she had been staying with Rachel she was always volunteering to do something for Rachel, be it a chore or an errand she was always ready to do it. Noah was glad that he could get Grace to participate in this activity. She seemed to be enjoying yourself.
Caller Bob watched as Noah taught Grace the line move that Jacy and Melissa had taught some of the class members a few months ago. After seeing Grace get the moves down pat, he put on some music and moved out on the floor to do the line dance.
Melissa hearing the music went and stood on the other side of Grace and smiled at her. As they began the routine to the music, Melissa said, "You're doing good." Grace smiled back at her. Others joined in, and afterwards Noah introduced the two girls.
Melissa chatted with Grace for a little while and then it was time to join her square again. As she did the calls automatically she thought how sweet and nice Grace was. She would have to make it a point to visit with her soon.
When class was over Noah, Rachel and Grace returned to their buggy. Teaspoon followed behind them. They arrived at the station and Teaspoon informed Grace that he wanted to talk with her. Noah put the buggy up and Rachel went on inside.
"Grace, I've noticed that you are a professional." His eyes gleamed and he had a big grin on his face. Grace's face grew puzzled. "A professional seamstress." Realization dawned on her and she smiled. "We sure could use one in town, so if you like, there's a boutique shop in town that could use a good seamstress." Grace was so overwhelmed she didn't know what to say. She smiled and then hesitantly went up to Teaspoon and gave him a hug.
So happy she stuttered the words, "Ho ... How mu ... much?" Grace asked. She wasn't sure if she had enough money to buy a shop. Now it was Uncle Teaspoon's turn to look puzzled. Seeing his look she asked again, "How much is the shop?"
"OH, oh don't worry about that. I've already bought it for you. I kind of thought you would like it. It's a late birthday present. Rachel told me that I missed your birthday. I'm sorry about that. I didn't remember when your birthday was, but I'll remember from now on."
"Oh, this is the best birthday present ever. Thank you, Uncle Teaspoon."
Uncle Teaspoon held out his arms and Grace hugged him again. "A great present for a great girl," he said as he hugged his pretty niece. As they drew apart he said, "Have Rachel bring you to town tomorrow, and I'll show you the boutique. You'll have to think of a new name for the place. Right now it still has the name Jasmine Boutique. That was the owner's name. Her and her family moved west. They were only here for about a year. I'm sure you'll be here a lot longer. Now you better go on in and get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow."
"How can I get to sleep now. I can't wait til tomorrow to see the shop." Her grin was from ear to ear as was Teaspoon's. He was very happy to see his little niece excited. It was the first time he had seen her excited since she had came here.
"Well please try." Uncle Teaspoon said as he started walking to his horse, Banter.
"I'll try but it's going to be hard." Grace said as she went to the house. "Goodnight Uncle Teaspoon." She said before entering.
"Goodnight Grace." Teaspoon replied before riding off.