Ike reined his horse in to a stop. The small figure of the girl sitting on the bank of the creek brought a smile to his face. Karen sat bent over a book, writing something. Ike dismounted and quietly led his horse closer. Once within earshot of her, he dropped the reins to let the mare graze. He took a deep breath and cleared his throat to get her attention. Before she could really react, he covered the last of the distance between them and smiled brightly, determined to give her the note he carried in his pocket before he lost his courage.

Ike smiled shyly as he extended the note to her. He'd only written it because he wasn't sure if she'd understand sign language. And he sure wasn't about to drag Buck along with him to translate. Buck would have teased him unmercifully on the entire ride from town. He shook his hand a bit to bring her attention to the note. He had the contents memorized. It'd taken him
three drafts to get it just right. He hoped it didn't sound too strange. He was new to this. She opened it and began to read.

Miss Jamison, I'm not sure if you know me or not. I've seen you in town a time or two. My name is Ike McSwain. I ride for the Pony Express. I was wondering if perhaps you might do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to the dance?

Sincerely,
Ike

He knew it was short, but it was the best he could do. He bit his lower lip as he watched her face as she read it. When she at last looked up he awaited her response with a nervous smile.

Karen looked up from the note into Ike�s nervous face. "I�d� love to go to the dance with you."

Ike�s grin spread and his eyes shone brightly. He sat down next to Karen and motioned to her notebook.

"Here," Karen said as she turned the page in the notebook and handed it and the pen to him.

On it, he wrote Great.

"Yeah, it will be." They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes before Karen spoke up. "I have noticed that, when you talk to Buck, you use Indian sign."

You know sign?

"Yes. But my mother taught me a long time ago, so I�m not sure how much I remember."

That�s great. It will be a lot easier at the dance. Then there was a short pause. You noticed me in town with Buck? He knew that she didn�t normally go to the station house.

"Umm . . . yeah," Karen replied shyly, blushing. She hadn�t realized she had let that slip. She always noticed Ike when he was in town whether he was by himself or with the other riders. It was one of the reasons that she went into town so much . . . for the chance to see him there. Her mother used to tease her and tell her to just find a reason to go to the station house, or better yet just talk to him, but she could never bring herself to do it.

Ike blushed slightly and grinned. Thanks. I need to get back to the station house. I have a ride in about an hour.

"I need to get back to the ranch."

Can I come see you again after I get back? Ike stood and reached down for her hand to help her up.

"I�d like that," Karen replied as Ike helped her up. He handed her back her journal and pen and she placed them in her pouch.

Ike smiled shyly and waited till she was on Storm before retrieving his horse from by the trees. Ike mounted and waved bye.

"Bye." Karen said as they both headed on their way. Ike headed southwest towards the Station House and Karen east to her ranch. Karen stopped Storm and looked back at Ike�s disappearing figure. She couldn�t believe that he had asked her to the dance. He was so handsome and sweet. She sighed and turned Storm back to the direction of the Mustang Hill.