MAY 13, 1860

Luke helped his wife into their buckboard, and smiled up at her. He then climbed aboard himself and together they headed into town. "I just want to drop off this thank you to the PEG office. Then we can go on to Omaha." Meg said. She couldn't believe they were headed off on their honeymoon. The newlyweds had spent most of the morning in each others arms and had gotten a late start.

"Is Corey coming by to house sit?" Luke asked.

Meg nodded. "Yep she should be at the clinic. We can stop by really quickly before heading out, to give her the key."

Luke nodded, "At this rate we'll be lucky to get out of town before dark."

"I'll be quick, I promise. Besides I wasn't the lazy bones who wanted to sleep in." Luke arched his eyebrow and Meg giggled. "Okay so we had a good reason to want to sleep in."

A little while later Luke pulled up to the PEG office and helped Meg down. He kissed her sweetly on her cheek and excused himself to check on the barbershop. Meg turned and headed into the office smiling at Melissa.

"Hello Miss Thom-" Melissa began then stopped, "I mean Mrs. Saunders. What can I do for you today?"

Meg laughed. "Well you can start by calling me Meg. But I'm here to drop this off." She handed the girl a slip of paper. "It's a small thank you to the town that Luke and I would like posted in the PEG. We're going off on our honeymoon and won't be able to send thank you notes until after we come back."

Melissa scanned the note quickly. "No problem, would you like it to run just once?"

Meghan nodded and saw the sign up sheet for the square dance lessons. "Do you have a pencil?" Meg asked. "I'd like to sign up for the lessons."

Melissa nodded and handed her a pencil. Meg signed up both Luke and herself, she then thanked and paid the young woman then turned and went to the barbershop to look for her husband.

Upon entering she found Luke talking with Corey. "Well I didn't expect to see you here." Meg said as she hugged her friend.

Corey laughed, "Well I didn't expect you two to still be in town. If I were just married I'd want to be off on my honeymoon as soon as possible. Especially if I were married to such a wonderful man as Luke."

"Watch it Meg, she's trying to soften me up for something."

Meg laughed, "I think so too. So spit it out Corey, what are you up to?"

Corey inhaled sharply. "Well I was thinking that I could run this place while you two were gone. I don't have a job, and I can't just stay around the clinic all day doing nothing."

Meg looked at Luke, it was up to him. This was his business, but she wanted Corey to find a job in town and what better place than this. Luke furrowed his brow thoughtfully. "Can you do this kind of work?"

Corey smiled broadly. "I can do this. I cut my own hair when I wanted to ride for the express and that has to be harder to do than cutting someone else's, and I can shave a face as good as anyone. I can keep the books and sweep and . . ."

"Okay, okay." Luke cut her off. "You want it, you got it. And after I come back we'll talk about something more permanent."

Meg looked at Corey whose eyes were wide in disbelief. The two women squealed in delight. "You mean it Luke, I could work for you?" Corey asked.

Luke nodded, "Yeah, I could use an extra hand around here. I'm a married man now and I'd like to spend more time with my bride."

Meg hugged him tightly and kissed him. Corey turned her face, suddenly feeling as if she were intruding. When the couple finally pulled apart, Corey smiled shyly. "Thanks again Luke."

"You're welcome." Luke turned to Meghan, "We better get going. I'll let you say goodbye to Corey while I get the buckboard ready." Meg nodded and watched as her husband left.

"So, marriage agrees with you?"

Meg turned to her friend with a wide smile. "It sure does."

"I expect full details when you get back." Corey said as she walked to the shop door with her friend.

Meg hugged her, "Well there are some things a girl has to keep to herself."

"Heck no, those are the best parts." Corey said laughing.

Meg joined in the laughter and said goodbye to her friend as Luke came around and helped her into the buckboard. Corey waved as the couple left feeling happiness for Meghan and thankful for her new job.