MARCH 3, 1860

CJ took the wagon that Catherine said that he could use. Yesterday he had gone to the lumber mill. Drucilla, Joshua, and CJ went over the blueprints that CJ had made for a barn. CJ paid for the lumber and told them that he would be back today for the lumber. He also left instructions that no one was to know who had paid for the lumber.

Kathleen was a friend of Catherine's and that made her a friend of his. She needed a barn for her horse, Ghost. The horse that Catherine had bought her. CJ realized that the school teacher must not be making much money and he had it to spare. So he went to work on his hobby, drawing buildings. He designed a barn big enough for all of the children's horses while they were at school, and Ghost also. The barn also had a lot of storage space and extra stalls, just in case the school grew like Kathleen was hoping.

Kathleen let school out early that day. CJ Hudson was going to be taking her so she could get some lumber for her barn that the riders were going to build for her. Teaspoon had offered their services to her for tutoring them in reading and writing. She waiting for CJ and watched as he drove up to her house that was just 20 yards from the school.

"Good afternoon, Miss Boudreaux." CJ greeted.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Hudson."

"Please, call me CJ."

"Alright, CJ. You may call me Kathleen."

"Kathleen," the name rolled off of his lips. "That's a beautiful name."

Kathleen blushed and replied, "Thank you."

CJ helped Kathleen up onto the wagon and then got on himself. He drove toward the lumber mill. "I can help build the barn," he offered.

"That's a very nice offer, CJ. I'm sure that the riders will appreciate the help. Sheriff Hunter did volunteer them to build it for me." Kathleen smiled. It was a cold, but beautiful day. The ride to the lumber mill was relaxing. There was still snow on the ground, but the sun was shinning and there was no wind. Kathleen just enjoyed the ride. It wasn't often that she got away from her home. Just when there was a special event in town or when she needed supplies. But she was going to have to get used to getting out. She was tutoring the riders one night a week at the waystation and she had several of the towns people to ask her to teach them how to read as well. She was loving it. She loved to help people, and didn't think that people should have to pay for an education. So she didn't charge for tutoring. The town was paying her to teach. It shouldn't matter what age the person was that she was teaching. Oh how she loved her job!

When they got to the lumber mill, CJ and Joshua began loading the wagon with the lumber that they had picked out the previous day.

"How much do I owe you?" Kathleen asked Drucilla.

"It's already been paid for." Drucilla informed her.

"Who?" A puzzled Kathleen asked.

"I'm not allowed to say." Drucilla smiled.

Kathleen had no choice but to accept the gift from her unknown friend. She had a feeling it was Catherine, though. After all she bought the horse for her just because she didn't own a horse. The people of Dreamville were very nice toward her.

When Kathleen and CJ got back to the school house, Lee, Jimmy, Kid, Lou, and Buck were there waiting. The riders helped CJ unload the wagon and construction on the new barn began. CJ had even brought the blueprints to build the barn. Kathleen was not sure if CJ had made the blueprints himself or if he had someon else do them.

Kathleen wondered why CJ was helping. Catherine had said that he was a friend of hers. She also said that he was a womanizer. So she knew she had to be careful and keep their relationship just as friends. She didn't want a romantic relationship right now, but she couldn't help but wonder what it might be like. She had never had a beau before. But her work was her life. It probably would always be. She was already 19. Most girls her age were already married and mothers, too.

As the riders were working, Miss Boudreaux gave them permission to call her Kathleen. They had half of the barn finished before it was time to go home. CJ got into the wagon and drove to the hotel. Kid, Lou, Jimmy, Lee, and Buck headed home. CJ seemed to think that they could finish the barn tomorrow. Ike, Cody, White Wolf, and Noah were supposed to be there at 8:00 am to help CJ finish it.

On the way home, Kid and Lee told the others about Catherine overhearing them talking about her being a girl.

"Jimmy, do you think we can trust her?" Lee asked the love of her life.

"Well, she said that she wouldn't tell, didn't she?" Jimmy reaffirmed.

"Yeah, but Jimmy if Lee does something that gets Catherine mad, she could tell Teaspoon. Can she really be trusted?" Kid pointed out.

Michael was riding close enough to hear only what Kid had said. He continued on his way to the hotel. He had to bring Mr. Cole�s shirt back and tell him that his father said thank you. So Michael didn't hear the rest of the conversation.

"I don't know her that well, but I really don't think that she would do that. I think we can trust her."

"We have no choice." Lee said as she slowed Black down. As the others continued at their pace, Jimmy noticed that Lee was lagging behind. He let her catch up to him.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," She replied. Then she continued in a low voice, "I was just thinking. If Catherine found out about us, she could tell Teaspoon or the company just to get me out of the way."

"Now why would she do that?"

"Because she's in love you."

"No she's not."

"Jimmy, she kissed you at the dance!" Lee reminded him.

"I think she was drunk."

"That still doesn't deny the fact that she's in love with you. Even if you can't see it, I can see it in her eyes every time she looks at you."

"Lee, I think you're just overreacting here. If Catherine said she wouldn't tell anybody then she won't."

Lee thought a moment. "Jimmy," she asked tentatively. Jimmy turned to look at her. "Are you sure that you want to be with me, when you can be with a real lady?"

Jimmy's face turned red with anger. "Lee, you are a real lady, and I don't ever want to hear you say any different!" Jimmy lowered his voice, "Of course, I want to be with you. I love you and I don't want to be with anybody else."

********************

When Michael returned the shirt to Eddie, he asked Eddie about what Kid said. However in his young mind he got things mixed up and instead asked, "Mr. Cole, why can't Miss Paige be trusted?"

Eddie looked puzzled, "She can be trusted. Who said that she couldn't be trusted?"

"Kid said that she couldn't be trusted."

"Miss Paige is the most trustworthy person I know! Don't ever tell anybody different!" And he stormed off to find Kid.

It was dark by the time Eddie got to the waystation. "Kid!" Eddie yelled.

Clueless as to what was going on, Kid came out of the bunkhouse, "Hello, Mr. Cole, is there something I can do for you?"

"Why did you tell Michael that Miss Catherine couldn't be trusted? You shouldn't say things about people you don't know!"

Flabbergasted and defending himself, Kid said, "I didn't tell anybody that!"

Michael Johnson came to the hotel and said that you told him that Miss Catherine Paige couldn't be trusted!"

"I never said that! I haven't even seen Michael to tell him that!"

Eddie didn't listen. He didn't want people saying bad things about Catherine. She was nice to him ever since the first day, and Eddie thought that she didn't deserve doubts about her character.

"Miss Catherine Paige is the most trustworthy person that I know! How dare you say that she can't be trusted! You don't even know her!"

While the yelling was going on, Lee had remembered Michael riding by them on the way home from Kathleen's. Right about the time Kid was asking if Catherine could be trusted.

"WAIT! HOLD ON!" Lee shouted. "I think I can clear up this whole thing. First Kid did not say that Catherine can not be trusted what he said was 'Can Catherine be trusted?' Catherine has learned a secret about someone here and we were wondering if she could be trusted to keep her mouth shut no matter what. That's all. Kid asked Jimmy if Catherine could be trusted."

When Eddie realized his mistake, he added once again, "Well, she can be trusted." Then he left.