Melissa got up early and made breakfast for her and Jacy. Melissa was just setting the table when Jacy came in. "UMMM ummm ummm, I smell something good. What's cookin'?"

"I have pancakes, scramble eggs and bacon cooking. Please sit down. I think it's ready." Melissa stated as she walked over to the stove.

"How come you're up so early?" She said as she took her seat. "You're never up this early on Sunday. In fact I'm never up this early, but I heard some noises, and so I woke up to see what was going on."

"I just woke up and I couldn't get back to sleep, so I thought I would come down and fix breakfast." Melissa stated as she put a plate full of food in front of Jacy.

She smelt the delicious aroma of the pancakes, and her mouth began to water. She spread lots of butter over her pancakes and then poured the maple syrup over top of them. She stuffed a whole fork full into her mouth. "Ummm."

Melissa sat down and began to eat, too. After Jacy's plate was half finished, Melissa decided to speak. "Jacy, I was wondering if the rodeo was going to have any events . . . uhhh any events that I could participate in."

"Melissa I've told you what the events were. I don't think you're very good at bronc riding or bull riding are you?"

"No, but I thought you might put another event into the rodeo." Melissa said before poking another bite full of pancakes into her mouth.

"Such as?" She inquired.

"Like . . . well what about . . . well how about . . . calf roping." Melissa said it so softly that Jacy could barely hear her.

"Calf Roping! I didn't know that you knew how to do that."

"I've been practicing. Michael and Jesse have been helping me."

She didn't say any more after that, she just pondered the idea through the rest of the meal. Melissa waited patiently hoping that Jacy would agree. After they were done eating Melissa took the plates to the sink.

"Well, hmmm . . . that might not be such a bad idea. Actually we could have a calf roping event for the adults and for the children. I'm glad you suggested it. It will bring in more money for the church." She paused briefly, "But Melissa where are you going to get five dollars to enter?" Melissa hadn't thought once about the money fee. Her face dropped. How would she get five dollars. The money she had been earning at helping with the newspaper was being saved for her education. Jacy wanted her to use that money to go to college. "I guess I could give you the money to enter."

"No, no, I'll earn it. I want to enter and win this on my own." She didn't want Jacy to give her the money. She would get the money somehow. She'd just have to figure out how.

Later that day in town, Melissa was sitting in front of the mercantile when Tally saw her. She didn't look very happy, so he decided to find out what was wrong. They had been good friends while he had been building Jacy and Melissa's home, but lately they hadn't talked much. "Good afternoon, Melissa."

Sullenly she replied, "Hi."

"What's wrong?"

"Simon doesn't need any help in the store."

"Oh, so you're looking for work, but don't you have a job at the newspaper?"

"Yes, but that money is for my education, so I have to earn five dollars to enter the rodeo."

"Hmmm . . . you know I could use someone."

"In the bordello! I don't think so." Melissa exclaimed as she looked over at the place. She shook her head vigorously.

"No, not over there. I could use someone to clean my place from top to bottom. Are you up for it? You could do it after school and on the weekends. I'll give you five dollars after you've cleaned the whole place. Whatta ya say?" Tally offered.

"I'll do it. When can I start?" Melissa jumped up eager to begin her new job.

"How about now? I'll take you out to the place and show you around." Melissa nodded. "Well, let's go. I'll meet ya at the edge of town. I'll go get my horse at the stables." Melissa nodded again. After Tally started for the livery, Melissa mounted Braids and waited for Tally at the edge of town.