Joshua rode towards the school that day to check the schoolhouse yard to see where he would put the swings and see-saws he had been working on.

Kathleen was standing at the schoolhouse doorway as the children started to leave. Joshua tipped his hat as he got down from the horse, and while he walked around the yard he saw Cody approaching to pick up Jesse.

"Hi there," Cody said as he walked towards Joshua who just nodded at Cody

"You work at the lumber mill, don't you?" Cody asked

"Yes, I'm Joshua Destone, " Joshua replied while they were shaking hands.

"I'm Cody, I ride for the Pony Express."

"Oh, I know "

"So, what are you doing here?" Cody inquired curious as he watched Jesse talking with Melissa and Kathleen.

"I was just out riding Cody," Joshua answered. He couldn't tell about the playground equipment he was doing for the school yet.

Cody noticed that Joshua was giving him short answers and that he was looking around for something.

"Cody!" Jesse yelled while he ran to meet Cody. Cody smiled at the young boy and he approached.

"You know Mr. Destone, don't you Jesse?"

"No, how are you Mr. Destone?" Jesse asked as he watched Melissa riding out.

"Fine kid," Joshua replied quickly as he also watched Melissa leaving. Thinking that it sure was nice of her sister to be donating some equipment for the school.

"Do you know Melissa, Mr. Destone?" Jesse inquired as he saw Joshua watching her leave, too.

"Oh, no I don't Jesse, but I know her sister Jacy," Joshua answered promptly. Cody looked at Joshua wondering how Joshua had met Jacy.

"How?" Cody exclaimed turning his normally friendly face to a serious one.

"Jacy and Ted came to the lumber mill one day. They are very nice people and make a cute couple, too," Joshua explained noticing Cody�s interest.

"What do you mean with that?" Cody asked with certain anger in his voice.

"Well, I'm just commenting son. I have seen them together and they seem to enjoy each other�s company."

"Well, I think you are wrong mister. I don't know how you can think something like that. They don't have nothing in common," Cody exclaimed. He had his face turning red, and he seemed very upset with Joshua's comments. Jesse looked at Cody surprised.

"Look boy . . . ," Joshua started.

"No, you look mister, you can't go out and start saying things like that if you aren't sure about it. How dare you?" Cody interrupted moving his arms up and down nervously.

Joshua stood surprised at Cody. He didn't mean to have an argument with the boy, but Cody seemed to get more and more upset as Joshua tried to explain himself.

"Let's go home, Jesse," Code yelled walking away. Jesse followed Cody quickly. Joshua stood and watched them go. He didn't understand what had happened with Cody.

While Joshua watched Cody and Jesse leaving he was thinking about what he had said to the boy trying to figure out what he had said wrong.

Kathleen approached Joshua after noticing Cody leaving very irritate.

"Mr. Destone. What happened?"

"You tell me, Miss Boudreaux, you tell me." Joshua replied. Then he said goodbye, mounted his horse and rode back to the lumber mill to finish the playground equipment.