JULY 3, 1861

A few days ago Ike saw Kid having supper with the pretty girl that he had spotted in the hotel when him and Noah were having supper about a month ago. Ike hadn’t had the chance to find out who she was because ever since he had returned to Dreamville, he had to do a lot of mail runs. Jimmy wasn’t at the station any more, and Cody kept pawning off the long trips to him or any of the other riders that would take them. He understood though, Cody was going through some rough times with him and Jacy. He didn’t quite understand why they were having so much trouble because they had been very much in love. He wondered if it had anything to do with Jimmy staying with her.

Ike was sitting on the porch rocking chair while Kid was sitting on the railing practicing his harmonica. Finally, when Kid stopped for a minute, Ike signed, what happened to you and Blythe, and who is the new girl that you’ve been seeing?

“Nothing’s happened between me and Blythe. She just had to leave town for a little while. She’ll be back.” Kid silently hoped that she would. “And I’m not seeing anyone else. She’s just a friend. She works for the newspaper, and she wanted to know about the Pony Express and it’s riders. That’s all.” Kid returned to playing his harmonica.

Ike decided to saddle up his horse, Shyster, and ride into town. He wanted to meet the new girl that had secretly captured his heart. He was glad that she wasn’t Kid’s girl, because he would never go after a girl that one of his friends liked. He kicked Shyster into a trot and headed for town. On his way he passed by the mill and wondered how the mill was doing since it had a new owner? He didn’t see anyone around so he couldn’t ask, but then again he was in a hurry to get into town, so he had Shyster pick up his pace.

He arrived in Dreamville and went straight to the PEG. Unfortunately, there wasn’t anybody there. Then he decided to try the hotel next. Maybe he would get lucky and she would be in the hotel. Walter was at the front desk and he said hello when Ike entered. Ike nodded with a big smile on his face.

He looked through the doorway into the dining room but he didn’t see the pretty girl. Then he thought he wished he had asked Kid her name. Then he could have asked Walter if she was in.

Walter wondered why Ike was just standing there, so he asked, “Ike can I help you?”

Ike shook his head. How could he help him? He didn’t know the girl’s name. But now since he had come into the hotel, he had to do something, so he walked on into the dining room and sat down. When Marta saw him, she didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know sign language and usually when Ike came in, he was with one of the other riders who could tell her what Ike was saying. Relief crossed her face when Ted entered. At least he knew a little sign language.

Ted saw Marta just standing there, so he went over to speak with her. “Is something wrong?”

“Well, it’s just that the mute rider is here, and I don’t know what he says when he’s talking with his hands. Could you see what he wants?”

“Sure, why don’t you go on into the kitchen and tell Desiree that I’m here to take over and that I’ll be in there in a moment.”

Marta let out a sign of relief and then went into kitchen. Ted took Ike’s order, which seemed to be only a piece of apple pie and a glass of milk. After Ike ate and paid for his food, he decided to walk around town, maybe he would get lucky and see the girl. He checked the saloon, but he didn’t stay long in there. Besides he really didn’t think that she would be in there, but he just didn’t want to leave any stone unturned. But after an hour of walking around town with no such luck, he decided to head back to the station.

Ike was glad that the saloon wasn’t closed any more. He hated to see people out of work. He was also glad that Richard had bought the saloon. He seemed to like being a bartender.