SEPTEMEBER 26, 1861

Lou rode into Kansas City, Missouri and found the sheriff. She learned that Zee's parents had been killed, and the outlaws were found and brought to justice. They were hanged. She also learned that Zee's sisters and brothers were sent to live with their aunt and uncle, Zerelda and Rev. Robert James in Kearney, Missouri. So she hurried back to Dreamville to relay the information to Teaspoon.

Lou was going into the jailhouse when she heard her name. She turned around and saw Teaspoon approaching her. "What did you learn in Kansas City, Lou?"

"I learned plenty. The outlaws were caught and hung. Zee's sisters and brothers were sent to Kearney, Missouri to live with Jesse's folks. Also they had though Zee was dead somewhere, but the outlaws wouldn't ever confess to it, so they gave up looking for her."

"Well, Zee has been staying out at the waystation, why don't you ride out there and tell Rachel all this news and also let her know that I'll be there for supper and we can discuss the situation."

Later that evening, all the Pony Express Riders, Teaspoon, Jesse and Rachel discussed Zee's fate while she was out waiting patiently in the barn with Blaine. Finally Jesse persuaded them to let Zee stay and live at the waystation. He even volunteered to pay for her room and board, but Rachel wouldn't have it. "Zee will do her share of work around here to help me out, so Jesse you won't have to pay for her. Besides I could use another helper in the kitchen, right Teaspoon?"

"Yeah, I think you could." Teaspoon replied.

"And besides since LeAnn moved out, Zee can have a room here in the house with me." Rachel stated. "So Jesse why don't you run out and tell her the good news."

Jesse nodded and ran to the barn. "Zee, Zee, where are you?"

"Up here," Zee walked over to the edge of the hayloft and looked down at Jesse.

"You can stay." Jesse smiled up at her.

"I can. Really?" She watched as Jesse nodded his head. "Yipeeee!" She shouted as she climbed down the ladder. She was in such a hurry to get down that she slipped and if it hadn't been for Jesse she would have landed on the ground, but Jesse was quick and he caught her. Zee put her arms around Jesse's and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you!"

All Jesse could do was grin and nod. Blaine looked down over the hayloft. She was glad that Zee would be staying. She hoped she would be lucky, too, and get to stay.