OCTOBER 17, 1861

Lilly walked in the store with the children. It was a Saturday so the kids were out of school and the older ones could watch the younger ones play with the other kids in the town while she worked. Javier would be right here in the store, and she would be right across the street in the Silver Spoon, if they needed anything at all.

She had a few minutes before having to be at the restaurant. "Javier, I just don't know what to get Caly and Buck for their wedding present."

"Well, I hear that Jacy, Melissa, Tally, and Jewel are getting them a couple of horses.   Maybe they need saddles to ride those horses. I could get them engraved with their initials."

"Oh, Pa, that sounds great!" Lilly said.

"And if Jacy and them are getting them saddles already, we can just give them some store credit. I know someone else is doing that, but you can't have too much store credit."   Javier said.

"You're right son. We can just go in half and half. I'll talk to Jacy or Jewel the next time they come in to see if they are getting them some saddles."

Jacy just happened to be coming in through the door as she heard her name spoken. "Did you say my name?" She directed her question to Simon.

"Oh yes, I did. I'm glad you came in, Jacy. I wanted to know if you and your family are giving Buck and Caly saddles to go with those horses you're giving them as wedding presents?"

"Oh, you know, I didn't even think about that. So I guess my answer would be no." She replied.

"That's great!" Lilly said. "Now we know what to get them."

"Jacy, is there something I can help you with?" Javier asked.

"Uh . . . uh, I forgot why I did come in here. Well, I'm sure it will come to me. I'll just come back later when I remember." She started to retrace her steps all the while trying to remember why she had come into the store in the first place. As she was about to step out the door, Simon called to her.

"I'm sorry Jacy if it was me who caused you to forget what you had come in for."

"That's alright Mr. Cromwell," and she walked back to the newspaper office mad at herself for forgetting why she had went to the store in the first place.

After Jacy had left, Kathleen walked in, "Mr. Cromwell, have those dishes and cooking utensils come in yet?  They are my present for Buck and Caly."

"They sure have, Miss Boudreaux.  I'll go get them for you." Simon said. He came back with a box and handed it to Javier to load up on Kathleen's buckboard.

"Thank you." Kathleen said as she paid Simon.