JULY 24, 1861

“Stan, Mack, Ernest and I are going to ride out to Starshine Haven. We’ll meet you at the train station in a few hours.” John told them, and Mack nodded.

John and Ernest rode out of Dreamville to the northwest. Ernest hated that they were leaving ‘Kitten’ here, but of course he understood that she belonged here. Her family was here.

Jacy walked out onto the porch. She was mystified as to Cody’s behavior. Lately he seemed standoffish. She wondered if he had changed her mind about her and that he didn’t love her any more. Being afraid to come straight out and ask him for fear it was true, she simply tried to ignore his odd behavior when they were together. However, when she was alone, she couldn’t help but think about it and wonder what could have happened between them. Was it something she had said? Was it something she had done? She shook her head. She hadn’t done or said anything to warrant this strange behavior from Cody. Maybe she should just come out and ask him, but what if he had fallen out of love with her. She shook her head again. She didn’t want to think about that. She loved him so much.

She sat down on the swing. Jedidiah, her brother, had made it last year when she had said that she would like to have one. That was before she knew him as her brother. Even now it was hard to think of him as her brother. What would it have been like if she had been the one who had been kidnapped and grew up out east instead of Jewel? She would have grown up with her brother instead of her little sister. She frowned. Although she would have liked to have grown up with her brother, she couldn’t imagine growing up without her little sister.

She loved Melissa. She was glad that Melissa was living with her again. Like Cody, Melissa also seemed to be acting strangely. Not too long ago, she was all smiles because her and Michael were good friends again, but lately she wasn’t happy. The last few nights before retiring to bed, Jacy had stopped by Melissa’s door and had heard her crying. She wanted to know why Melissa was crying, but she was afraid Melissa might get upset with her for prying. Usually when Melissa had a problem she would come to Jacy for help, but maybe whatever was bothering her was too personal and she wouldn’t like it if Jacy inquired as to what was wrong. Jacy was confused and unsure about a lot of things. That’s why at this time she wasn’t taken any certain type of action. She would wait and see how things played out, at least for a little while until she couldn’t take not knowing why Cody and Melissa were acting as they are.

As Jacy stood up to go back inside, she saw two riders coming. As they got closer, she knew them as Ernest and John. She smiled, and as they stopped in front of the house, they saw her beaming smile. “Good afternoon, Kitten, Jacy.” Ernest greeted.

“Hi Jacy,” John said.

“Hi John, Ernest. Well, don’t sit there all day, come on in.” She motioned for them to come.

John and Ernest dismounted and followed Jacy into the house. Jacy instructed them to sit and then she went to the kitchen and brought back a pitcher of lemonade. She poured each of them a drink, and then she sat down in the chair across from the couch where John and Ernest were.

“Jacy we came to tell you that we’re leaving. We’re heading back to Wyoming.” John said after he took a sip of lemonade.

“Oh, well, I can’t say as I’m surprised since my brother told me that you were leaving.” Seeing their surprised faces, she continued, “It was an accident. He thought that you had already told me.”

“Oh, well, we would have told you sooner, but we wasn’t quite sure when we were going to leave.” John replied. Jacy nodded.

“I know you have to go, but I will miss you, both of you.” She paused. “John, I really appreciate everything you did for me. I wish there was some way that I could repay you for all your kindness you’ve shown me.” She starred at her glass afraid at any moment that tears would cascade down her face.

“There is.” She looked up. “You can promise that you will come and see us.” John stated.

“Very soon, I hope.” Ernest winked at her.

Jacy winked back. She swallowed before speaking, trying to get the lump out of her throat, “I’ll try. But I’m not sure when Jedidiah will return.”

“Speaking of him, we’re going to keep our eyes peeled for him. We’re also going to check around the territory about what happened to Justin. When I get any news, I’ll write you.” John informed her.

“That would be great. I do hope my brother, Samantha and Justin come home safely.” She was worried about them, and John could see that.

“I’ll do my best to see that it happens.” John sat his glass down. “Now I’m afraid that we have to be getting. Our train leaves in a couple of hours.” He stood up.

“Yeah, your brother was nice enough to give us free passage back home.” Ernest said as he rose to his feet.

“Well, I’m glad he did. You did so much for me.” Jacy also stood.

“It was nothing.” John smiled and started walking. Jacy and Ernest followed him outside. Ernest and John mounted.

“Remember Kitten you come and see us. You can bring your sisters and brother anytime, too.” John would miss her, but he had to get back and run his ranch.

“Yeah Kitten, don’t forget your promise.” Ernest reminded her.

“I won’t. I’ll come as soon as I can.” Jacy smiled, but as soon as John and Ernest turned their horses around and started leaving, her smile disappeared. She was very sad that they were leaving. She would miss them very much. A tear starting down her cheek and she wiped it away, but more were soon to follow.