Samantha rode out of town on her horse in no particular direction, but she ended up at the schoolhouse. She listened as she heard Kathleen reading a story to the class. Samantha could read some, but she wished she could read much better. She sat down on the top step to listen. When Kathleen finished, and Sam heard her telling the class not to forget to do their homework tonight, Sam realized it was time for school to be over, so she quickly got up. She didn�t want anyone to see her, so she intended on grabbing her horse and hightailing it out of there. But she had waited to long, because a rider was galloping up to the schoolhouse. So Sam stopped and stood there.

The classmates single file exited the building. They passed Sam who was at the bottom of the steps now. Jesse briefly said hello to Samantha as he passed her. Then he stood over to the side of the building waiting for his ride to pick him up. Michael and Rose mounted their horses and waved to Jesse. Jesse waved back. Jemima climbed aboard the wagon, and her and Destiny waved to Kathleen and Karen as they left.

Karen dismounted, and said, "Hello. I don�t think we�ve ever met. I�m Karen. I own a horse ranch not far from here."

"Hello. I�m Samantha Calhoun," she replied.

"Any relation to Justin Calhoun, the blacksmith?" Karen asked.

"Yes, I�m his sister."

Karen held out her hand. "Pleased to meet you." Samantha took Karen�s hand and smiled.

Kathleen had followed the children outside like she always did, but she was surprised to see Karen and another lady talking. "I couldn�t help hearing you say that you�re Justin�s sister. So you�re new to Dreamville?"

"Well, not real new. I�ve been here since the beginning of January," she replied.

"Well, I don�t get to town too much. That�s why I haven�t met you. What brings you way out here?" Kathleen inquired.

"I was just out riding. I don�t know my way around very well, and I just ended up here." Samantha didn�t want to add that she wanted Kathleen to help her to read better. She didn�t want everybody to know she wasn�t a very good reader.

While the ladies were talking, Cody came riding in to pick up Jesse. He noticed Melissa standing off by herself, and he wondered where Jacy was. Jesse climbed aboard, and Cody quickly guided Prankster over to Melissa�s side. "Do you need a ride home?"

"No, I�m sure Jacy will be along any minute." She turned to look in the direction in which Jacy should be coming.

Cody turned to look too, and then he tried to make one more offer. "You can climb aboard, and then when we meet up with Jacy, we can transfer you over to her horse."

Karen heard Cody and Melissa talking, and she excused herself from Kathleen and Samantha. "Melissa, hi. Your sister and I were talking and I offered to give you a lift home. Jacy is sort of tied up with an interview right now."

"Well, thanks anyway Cody, but it looks like I already have a ride. "Goodbye Cody, Jesse." Melissa followed Karen to her horse.

Karen said, "Goodbye Kathleen, Samantha," as she led Melissa to her horse, Storm.

"I was wondering . . ." Now that their was no one around, Samantha wanted to ask Kathleen if she would help her read, but she was too embarrassed to ask.

"Yes, Samantha, how can I help you?"

"Well . . . I . . . well," and she hesitated again.

"Please don�t be afraid to ask. If I can help, I will."

"I was wondering if you teach anybody else besides those children?"

"Why yes I do. I teach the Pony Express riders." Noticing the puzzled face, she added, "That fella that came riding in here was a Pony Express rider. I teach him to read. Would you like to learn?"

Defensively Samantha said, "I can read some."

Kathleen smiled, "I can help you to read more if you like. What evening would be good for you?"

"Tuesdays," Samantha quickly replied.

"Great, I�ll see you next Tuesday evening then, right here."