DECEMBER 12, 1861

Driving down the road, Jedidiah listened to his sisters chatting away. They were discussing school, and how fast Adriane and Paul had learned to ride.

"It was like Paul was born to ride." Jaslyne exclaimed.

"Melissa’s a good teacher." Jacy praised her younger sibling.

“She sure is. I thought I would never learn to ride, but Melissa had patience with me, and now I can fairly well.” Jaslyne stated.

Melissa smiled. She liked receiving good compliments.

"Did you hear about the fire at the hotel, Jedidiah?" Jaslyne asked the older lad whom she hoped would be her brother in the near future.

"I haven't heard about it, but I did read it about in the PEG. If I didn't purchase the paper every day, our sisters would skin me alive." He chuckled.

"That's true," Melissa lightly punched Tally on the shoulder.

Though each and ever one of them tried to draw Jewel into the conversation, she mostly remained silent, just nodding and shaking her head when they asked her a question. Jedidiah couldn’t blame his triplet for not interacting with them. He knew she was hurting inside and that only time would heal her pain.

All five of them scurried into the Cromwell Mercantile. They were there to pick out a wedding present for Jimmy and Lee. They all scattered about looking at things. Finally, they all met up at the counter to discuss what they should get the couple. After about a twenty-minute discussion, they went with their brother's suggestion. They bought them a cook stove.

Before returning his sisters to their home, Jedidiah stored the gift at his residence. He had Aaron and Brandon help him carry it inside. He would keep it until the blessed day.