AUGUST 1, 1861

Jennifer left the post office and headed towards the train station. She had searched back issues of the newspaper to see if there had been any write-ups on the train station since it was the latest thing to hit town. The only thing she had found was the arrival of the train and the celebration that was held in town for the day of its arrival. There hadn't been any articles about the history of the train or its development, so she had thought that it might make an interesting story. Well, actually it was her second choice about the train. Her first choice was unavailable at the moment. She had wanted to write an article about the train's owner, Jedidiah Hunnewell, but she had been told by Melissa and Jewel that he was out of town on some sort of business, so she would have to go with her second choice.

She was a little nervous when she arrived at the train station. She was always nervous when meeting someone for the first time, but she just had to grin and bear it, otherwise, she would never get any ideas or facts for a good story.

There was a slight breeze today, so Brandon had left the door of the train station office open. He was standing straight across from the door, so he saw the pretty girl walk up and stand right outside. He wondered if she was going to come in and buy a ticket or just stand there. He looked down pretending to be studying something when he saw that she was coming in.

Jennifer was relieved that the man was looking at something other than her. He hadn't noticed her yet, but as she stopped in front of his ticket window, he looked up and gave her a very friendly smile. "How may I help you today, ma'am?"

She smiled back at him. He was kind of cute. She liked his friendly smile, but she couldn't base what type of man he was just by his good looks and friendly smile. Judgment had to be based on more than that. She had learned that a long time ago.

"Ma'am, can I help you?" He didn't want to sound impatient because truth be told he wouldn't mind looking at her all day. She was much better looking than the men who came inside to buy tickets. Of course if she was here to buy a ticket, he hoped it was a round trip ticket and not a one way ticket.

"This may sound strange, but I want to do an article on the train. I write for the Pony Express Gazette. My name is Jennifer. I would like some background information on the train. Who invented it? Who built it? Did Jedidiah build it or invent it? I just want to know more about it, so besides myself being informed about it, the readers also will be informed. So can I interview you?"

She said everything so quickly that Brandon was having a hard time answering her questions, so since she was prattling on, he decided to wait and answer her when she finished. He waited a few seconds to make sure she wasn't going to start talking again, and then he said, "I don't know much about the history of Jedidiah's train." Seeing the frown developing on her pretty little face, he continued, "But we do have records. There are some books about the train's history. I haven't had a chance to read them yet, but you're welcome to look them over for your article if you want."

Jennifer's smile appeared again. "I would like that very much."

"Good, I mean of course. Why don't you sit down over here." Brandon went around and opened the little door to the right of his ticket window. He walked straight ahead to a table in front of the side window to the building, and he pulled out a chair for Jennifer to sit down. After Jennifer was seated, he said, "I'll be right back with the books."

Jennifer thanked Brandon as he left the books on the table for her. "Oh, by the way I'm Brandon Clayland.”

"Pleased to meet you Mr. Clayland." She smiled as she looked up at him.

"Please call me Brandon." He replied, and she nodded. "If you need any other help, please let me know."

"I'll do that, thank you." Jennifer opened a book and Brandon went back to his window.

After four hours, Jennifer shut the last of the three books that she had looked at. She had a bunch of notes. Now all she needed to do was to write up something interesting that she knew about the train’s history. “Well, I think I have something to use in my story now.” Jennifer said as she stood up and turned around to see Brandon starring at her.

Brandon had been watching her read and jot down notes. She was very pretty. Hopefully he would get to know her better. He had noticed that she wasn’t wearing a ring, so that meant she wasn’t married, but he wasn’t so sure about her not having a beau. A pretty girl like her probably has one, but he hoped not.

“That’s good. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help to you.” Brandon stated.

“That’s all right. If I need to look at the books again, may I?” Jennifer asked.

“Of course, you can stop in any time . . . anytime you want to see the books just come on in.” Brandon hoped that she would be back soon.

“Thank you,” Jennifer gave Brandon one last smile and then turned and left the station.