APRIL 2, 1860
Jesse was leaning up against the post of the corral at the livery. He had promised Rose that he would take her for a buggy ride today, but unfortunately everybody was conspiring against him. All the buggies at the waystation were occupied and for some unknown reason the bank was closed today, so he couldn’t get his money to rent a buggy at the livery.
Time was passing by, and Rose was waiting for him. He kept glancing down the street hoping to see Mr. Simmons opening the bank. He knew that Justin wouldn’t let him have a buggy without any money.
Samantha saw a very depressed Jesse, so she went up and asked him what was wrong. Jesse replied, "I need a buggy, but my money is in the bank, and it’s closed.
Critically Samantha eyed the boy, "You have enough money in the bank to rent one?"
"Yes, I do ma’am." Jesse looked at Samantha with his sad puppy dog eyes.
"Please call me Samantha, not ma’am. And who might you be?"
"Yes, ma’ . . . Samantha. I’m Jesse."
Justin came out of the barn, and he saw them talking. "Is anything wrong?"
"No brother, I’m going to hitch up a buggy for Jesse." Samantha started to walk away.
"Wait a minute, does he have the money to pay this time?" Justin inquired with a stern look.
Samantha took out the ten dollars from her pocket. "Yes, he does. He just paid me." Samantha handed Justin the money. Surprised Justin pocketed it and went back into the barn. Samantha brought the buggy around to Jesse.
"Thanks, Samantha."
"No problem, but make sure you pay me back."
"I will as soon as the bank opens, and I can get it." Jesse waved to Samantha as he left town to go and pick up Rose. As Jesse rode out of town, Desiree headed over to the livery. Samantha greeted her as she arrived.
"I’ve come to rent a buggy. Is Justin around?" Desiree asked.
Samantha replied, "Yes, he is, but all of our buggies are out right now."
"Oh!" Desiree exclaimed. "When will one be back."
"Not anytime soon." Samantha said. "Would you like to rent a horse instead?"
"No, no thank you!" Desiree glumly said. Samantha went inside the barn and Desiree just stood around outside, not knowing what to do now. A little girl came walking up to her and stopped.
"What’s the matter?" Melissa asked the lady.
"Nothin’s the matter," and she glanced back down at the ground.
"Well, you don’t look very happy."
"Well, all the buggies have been rented, and I wanted to go for a ride." She replied.
"Oh, sorry about that. I don’t have a buggy, but I have a horse. Would you like to borrow her?" Melissa offered.
"Thanks, but no." She sorrowfully said. Not knowing what more she could do for the lady, Melissa started for the barn. "Hey!" Melissa stopped and turned around. The lady motioned for Melissa, so she retraced her steps. "Can you keep a secret?"
"Yeah, sure!"
"I don’t know how to ride."
Melissa was shocked. How could anyone not know how to ride? "Don’t worry I won’t tell anyone. Would you like to learn? I could teach you." The lady graciously accepted the offer. Melissa ran inside and saddled Braids. She led her out and over to the lady. "She’s very well behaved, not stubborn at all. Come on." Melissa prompted as she led Braids into the corral.
After introductions were made Melissa taught Desiree some basic lessons. Desiree did very well, and Melissa told her she was a natural. After her lessons, Desiree rented a horse from Justin, and her and Melissa went for a ride together, but they kept their pace to a slow walk. Desiree wasn’t ready to step up the pace yet.
When they arrived back at the livery, Desiree offered to pay Melissa if she would give her more lessons. Melissa declined the money but was willing to give her more lessons for free.
Desi walked back into the livery after Melissa left. She said, "Hello Justin. I wanted to ask you if you could make me a pair of blue hair pins?"
Justin said, "Well, hello again, and yes, I can do that. How soon do you need them?"
Desi looked around and said, "To make sure no one would over hear her she said," They are for Meg to wear to her wedding. So there’s no hurry."
Justin smiled and said, "I know it’s about time. I always thought they would make a good couple. Yeah, I can have them done in a few days for you. It will be two dollars."
Desi nodded and said, "Okay, I will pay you now. " She handed him the money. "I'll see you in a few days then." She left and went back to work.