JULY 10, 1861

Melissa stopped at the Pony Express station before going on to Michael's ranch. As she approached she saw Cody leading Trixsy out of the barn. She stopped in front of him and they greeted one another.

"Are you going somewhere?" Melissa inquired.

"I've got a run soon." He replied.

"I'm glad I got here before you left then."

"Why's that?"

"Because Ja--Jewel wanted me to come and see you. She wants you to come over to the house tomorrow around 3. Can you make it?"

"I don't have a run tomorrow, so sure I'll be there. But do you know why?" Cody wanted to see Jewel again. He really liked her. She was very nice.

"She didn't say but she wants you there at three, and she doesn't want you to knock on the door. She said for me to tell you that once you got there that you should just come on in." Melissa wasn't sure how he was going to react to this information.

"That's unusual. How come?"

"She didn't say. She just said for me to tell you to be there at three sharp and to not knock on the door to just come on in. You think you can remember and do that?" Melissa wanted to make sure that he would stick to her precise instructions.

Though puzzled about it, Cody replied. "I think I can." He nodded his head to also reassure her.

"Good, well, have a good run. I'm heading over to see Michael. Bye!"

"Bye Miss Melissa."

Melissa giggled. "Please just call me Melissa, forget the Miss part ok?"

"Ok, Melissa it is." Cody watched as she left. He wondered what was going on . . . with Jewel and with Melissa. Melissa hadn't taken to him before but lately she seemed rather nice to him. He watched as Melissa reined her horse around and headed off for Michael's home.

Noah came out from the bunkhouse and he witnessed the conversation of Melissa and Cody, but from where he was, he couldn't hear what they were saying. It was about time for him to get ready for his next run.

Lou and Kid sat silently on chairs at the bunkhouse. Both were feeling lonely. Kid was missing Blythe, and Lou was missing Tyson. They watched as Melissa rode in, talked to Cody and rode back out again. As Cody approached them, Lou inquired, "So Cody what did Melissa want?" She was tired of the silence.

"Nothin' much." He replied as he turned his horse in the direction that they had just come in order to have Trixsy ready for the mail run. Kid shook his head.

"First it's Jacy, then it's Jewel, now it's Melissa." Noah jokingly said as he sat on top of the porch railing. "You're about to run out of gals in that family aren't you, and personally I think Melissa is a little too young for you. I hope you're not taking advantage of her like Jake did." Cody was taking it all in stride for he knew Noah was just teasing him because he had teased Noah a lot in the past about Ivy and Clover, but when Noah compared him to Jake, it hit a nerve. Cody frowned.

"Don't compare me to that louse. I would never take advantage of a young girl like Melissa." Cody sternly stated.

"I'm sorry, Cody. I know you wouldn't be as bad as him."

Cody knew his friend hadn't meant what he said, so he nodded at him, dismissing the whole thing.

"Rider Comin'," Kid stated loudly. Cody wheeled around and jumped on Trixsy. He moved her forward, took the mochilla from the rider and took off.

After Cody left, Noah went to the barn to saddle up Trouble for his next run. Lou's mind drifted to the saloon. That place would never be the same for her. She missed Tyson terribly, and when she went into town, she couldn't even look at the saloon without remembering him. He had promised that he would come back. But when? In a month, five months, a year or five years done the road? By then their feelings for one another might have changed.

Rachel came out of the house and hollered that supper was ready. Kid got up and headed towards the house. He stopped and turned his head. "Lou, you coming?" Lou looked up at Kid, she gave him a quick little smile and nodded. He waited for her and when she got beside him, he started walking again.