JUNE 8, 1861
"Why are you so down in the face?" Marta asked as she stood in front of the table to take the lady’s order.
Jennifer looked up at the waitresses' face. "Do you really want to know?"
"Sure, I wouldn't have asked if I didn't."
"Well, it's several things." Seeing that Marta was genuinely interested, she continued, "First off, I can't find my brother. Second thing is I can't find the newspaper owner. Third, I can't seem to find the beginnings of a new book. I've got writer's block. And fourth I can't seem to even keep a date. I'm pitiful."
"A date?"
"Yeah, this rider named Kid was suppose to meet me for supper, so that I could learn more about the Pony Express, but he never showed up." She frowned.
"Oh, I can't believe that Kid would stand you up. He's not like that. They have been really shorthanded at the Pony Express station. A lot of things are going on right now. I bet he just got tied up, and he wasn't able to make it." Marta knew Kid a little bit, and she just couldn't imagine Kid standing up a pretty lady as the one sitting before her. "Ah, by the way, my name is Marta."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Jennifer, the stand up, writer's block, post office clerk."
"You're the post office clerk? What happened to Blythe?"
"She had to go away for a little while, but as far as I know, she will be back. I've just taken over her job temporarily. I'm not even sure how long I'm going to stay in town."
"Well, what would you like for breakfast?" Marta asked, and Jennifer requested flapjacks and bacon. Marta left to tell the cook what the order was.
When the food was ready, Marta brought it out. "Jennifer, did you say you've been looking for the newspaper owner?" She sat the food in front of her.
"Yes, but every time I go there, there's nobody there."
"Well, Jacy only comes in to the office once a day, usually it's in the mid afternoon. Don't ask me why, cause I don't know. I just see her come to town when I'm on my little break. But I can tell you where she lives, if you want me to." Jennifer nodded, and Marta gave her directions to the Starshine Haven Ranch.
That evening after work, Jennifer rode out to meet with Jacy. Jacy hired her on the spot. Another helper would give her a chance to spend more time with Jimmy. On the way back to town, Jennifer was very happy. Maybe things were looking up for her. Dreamville seemed to be a nice town. Maybe she would stay. She would just keep her guard up, so that she wouldn't make the same mistakes that she had made the last time when she had settled in a town.