Ike and. Buck were out for a leisurely ride. It felt good to be spending some time with Buck. Lately Buck had been spending most of his time with Caly, when he wasn�t on mail runs. Ike wondered if Buck and Caly were a couple, but he didn�t want to pry. As they were riding along Ike asked Buck what he should do now about Karen. He wasn�t sure what to do next.

Buck suggested that Ike ride over to Mustang Hill Ranch and talk to her. But Ike couldn�t think of a reason to ride over there, and Buck couldn�t see why he had to have a reason. As the two were riding along Ike noticed they were heading in the direction of Caly�s ranch.

Justin had just left town. He thought a nice ride might help to clear his head. Since he wasn�t heading to any particular place, he kept Gunfire to a walk. He hadn�t got far out of town when he heard a horse coming at a fast pace behind him. He turned around and saw Caly. Justin pulled back on Gunfire�s reins and stopped to wait for Caly to catch up.

Caly jerked back on her reins and her horse tossed his head a few inches from Justin. "Good morning, Caly." Justin smiled at her.

"Good morning, Mr. Calhoun."

"Please call me Justin.

"Alright, Mr. Justin." Caly teased him, and he smiled and shook his head. That was the first time he had felt good in weeks. "I saw you at the dance. Did you have a good time?"

"It was nice. I saw you and Buck. He�s a nice lad."

"Yes, he is." Caly blushed and dipped her head so that Justin wouldn�t see her red face. To change the subject she asked him, "Who taught you how to play the harmonica?"

"Kid and I have been practicing together." He replied.

"I didn�t know Kid could play!"

"Yeah, he can. Some of the Pony Express riders are kind of shy."

As they were coming upon Caly�s land they saw Buck and Ike, and Caly called out to them. All four of the riders talked a while, and then Justin excused himself and went off riding.

Caly learned that Ike wanted to go to Karen�s but couldn�t think of a reason. Caly had the perfect solution. "Ike, I was talking with Jacy today. She�s the newspaper owner. She wants to buy a horse, but she�s a little afraid that she won�t pick a good one. Why don�t you go to town and offer to help her pick out a good horse from Karen�s ranch. Tell her that I sent you." Ike looked skeptical. "Go on. She�d love to have some help." Buck agreed with Caly, so Ike took off for town.

Ike knocked on the door of the newspaper office, and Jacy answered. "Hello, may I help you?"

Ike started signing, but when he saw the expression on her face, he stopped. He suddenly thought, oh no I forgot that she wouldn�t understand what I�m signing. Now how could he have a conversation with her?

Jacy was shocked at first. This tall man with a bandanna on his head standing in front of her was waving his arms around like a mad man. Then she realized that he was talking to her but with his hands. She knew what sign language was, but she didn�t understand it. Sad Ike shook his head and started to leave. "Wait! Wait, please don�t go. I know you�re trying to tell me something. I know you�re signing, but I don�t know what. Can you write?" Ike nodded, so Jacy ran off and came back with a pen and a piece of paper.

After reading the note, Jacy thought it over a minute and then said, "Thank you for volunteering to help me choose a good horse. I�m glad Caly sent you. Let me get my coat and we can go."