NOVEMBER 29, 1861

Mary sat down in the dining room.

“What would you like this morning?” Marta said as she stood in front of her. When the lady didn’t answer, Marta spoke again, “May I take your order?”

“Oh, oh, I’m sorry Miss-”

“Marta,” she smiled down at Mary.

“I’m sorry Marta. I was just thinking, and I didn’t see you.”

“You didn’t hear me either.”

Mary smiled. “True, I’d like some eggs and toast please.”

“Coming right up.” Marta strode into the kitchen to relay the order to Desiree.

Mary wasn’t feeling in a good mood. She had been in Dreamville for about a month; waiting for Stone’s trial, and just yesterday she had heard from the sheriff that Stone had escaped. Now she didn’t know how long it would be before they caught him and had the trial. And to top it off, she hadn’t even seen Joshua Smith. Although she had learned that him and his friend were out shooting turkeys for the big Thanksgiving feast that took place a week ago.

After eating her breakfast, she met Daniel at the front door. Yesterday he had offered to help her move her things over to the boarding house. She had decided since she didn’t know how much longer she would have to be here that she should be staying at a more comfortable place. She was glad that the lady at the boarding house just had one more room available. She paid her hotel bill, and then Daniel escorted her to Destiny’s boarding house.

“Thanks Daniel for your assistance.”

“It was my pleasure, Mary.” He replied as he sat her luggage down in her room.

Mary saw Daniel to the front door. After he was gone, she thought that it was good to at least have one friend here in town.

Later that afternoon when she was heading over to the newspaper office to check on job listings, she saw Joshua and his friend entering the saloon. She stopped and starred at the saloon. She decided in order to see Joshua that she would have to go into the Rusty Trigger Saloon, but the outfit she was wearing just wouldn’t do for a place like that. She returned to the boarding house and sifting through her sister’s things, she picked out a beautiful green and black saloon dress.

She walked into the establishment and immediately went to Joshua’s table. Surprised, he almost spit out his beer when he saw her. “Uh . . . uh Mary.” He stood up.

“Hello Joshua.”

“Won’t you join us?” Heyes held out a chair for her.

“Thank you.”

“What are you doing here?” Thaddeus asked. “I thought you weren’t a saloon girl.”

“I’m not, but I saw you two come in here, and I thought I wouldn’t stand out if I came in here wearing this.”

“I think you’d stand out in anything you wore.” Jones stated with a smile and Heyes grinned at him.

She smiled at both of them, “Thank you Mister-”

“Jones, Thaddeus Jones.” He tipped his hat to her.

“Well, I don’t have many friends here in town, and it’s so boring waiting around for that trial.”

“Yes, we heard about Stone’s breakout,” the light brown haired man said. His companion nodded.

“I heard that you were turkey hunting. Did you get very many?”

“Yeah, we did pretty good.” Joshua stated.

“What will you two be doing now?” Mary inquired. She hoped whatever it was would keep them here in Dreamville for a while, so that she could get to know more about Joshua.

“Well, we're thinking about moving on.”

“OH! I was kind of hoping that you’d be staying in town for a little while, at least until the trial was over, so I’d have some friends here.”

“Well, we don’t stay too long in one place. We have to keep moving around,” the wavy blonde haired man said.

“Why do you keep moving around?”

“Because were looking for somebody.” Joshua sat his mug down.

“Well, you don’t have to leave right away, do you? You can have supper with me this evening, can’t you?” She didn’t want to eat alone again. Even though she had moved into the boarding house, she didn’t know anybody staying there yet.

“Uh, well-”

“It’s my treat.” She thought that might get the response she wanted.

“Well now, I never turn down a free meal.” Thaddeus said.

Heyes nodded. “Alright, we’ll have supper with you.”

“Alright, I’ll meet you at the Silver Spoon, say seven o’clock?” She stood up intending to make her leave.

“That’s fine.” Joshua stood up and Thaddeus followed suit. They watched as she left the saloon.