OCTOBER 11, 1861

Meg and Serena walked into the mercantile to see about a frame for the young couple that was about to get married. "Hello, Aslyn, I was wondering if you had a frame for this?"  Meg said as she took her stepmother's picture and unrolled it. It wasn't very big so there was a frame for it on the back shelf in the storeroom.

Aslyn smiled, "We sure do. I can go get that right now for you." He was glad he could help. He also thought that the picture was beautiful. When he handed the frame to Meg he said, "I wish I could paint like that." 

Serena said, "I could teach you if you like."

Aslyn looked at Simon and Simon nodded. "I'd love it, Mam'." Aslyn said.

"OK, then come to the doctor's office right after school tomorrow and we will start your art lessons." Serena smiled.

Simon was glad that his new charge was starting to fit in. He even seemed to like playing with Brianna and Jemima. 

After they left the store Meg went to see Luke, "Hello, Darling. How are my babies?"

"*Our* babies are just fine. They liked playing with Daddy and Aunt

Corey." Luke replied.

"We got the wedding present so that's out of the way and Serena's going to be teaching Aslyn how to paint. And Charity seems to be gossiping about something. Not sure what, but I saw her talking to several of the ladies all in a group and they were all upset about something."

"You can never tell with Charity."

"No, you can't."

Serena busted in, "Charity thinks that Jimmy is cheating on Lee. Seems he walked in with a pregnant lady the other night and introduced her as an old friend. Meg, if he is cheating, Lee has to know before their wedding."

"I'll go talk with Caly." Meg took Liz with her to visit Caly.

"Yes, we've heard all about that. Susan is an old friend of Jimmy's and doesn't want her baby, so she is going to give the child to Jimmy and Lee as soon as it's born. Lee said to just let Charity have her fun. It doesn't matter. They know the truth and that's what's important." Caly said.