JUNE 19, 1861

Riding along the trail, Melissa was thinking about how life had used to be when her and Jacy had first come to Dreamville. She had wanted Jacy and Jimmy to be a couple, but her sister had fought her tooth and nail. She had been in love with the other Pony Express rider, Cody. But now all that had changed. Jacy loved Jimmy. Melissa was sort of glad, but then again, she wasn’t. She just couldn’t figure out why Jacy had changed her mind. It was the strangest thing. One day she’s in love with Cody, and then she hardly wants anything to do with him. It just didn’t seem right. Jacy didn’t seem like her old self at all, and Melissa missed the way her sister used to be.

And then out of nowhere, Jacy has a twin sister, Jewel. Jewel is a great sister. She’s a fantastic cook like Jacy used to be. She always listening to me and helping me when I have a problem. She’s liked the way Jacy used to be. I wish Jacy would return to her old self, even if it meant that she liked Cody instead of Jimmy.

Pulling Braids to a halt, Melissa stopped in front of the house. She dropped down to the ground and tied Braids to the hitching post. Jewel had invited her to lunch, and since her brother was having lunch with Samantha, she had decided to accept Jewel’s invitation.

Jed, it was hard for Melissa to get used to that name when she had been calling him Tally, and although he had told her that she could keep calling him Tally if she wanted to, she felt that she should call him Jed. Jed would be out later to assist Jewel in trying to remember her past. It didn’t seem to be going very well because Jewel hadn’t remembered anything that Jed had told her yet.

If only I could think of something that would make Jewel remember who she was. It would be great. Everybody, especially Jed, would be so happy, all because of me. But there’s nothing that I can think of that would jog her memory. I didn’t even know her before. I don’t know anything about her past. Maybe I should discuss it with the doc. Maybe he would know of a way that I might be able to help.

Resolving to see Doc Thomson, Melissa smiled as she entered the house. She heard voices coming from the living room, so that’s where she headed, but she stopped before entering when she heard the words “Lets get married!”

Jacy and Jimmy were sitting on the living room couch talking when Melissa rode up. They were deep in conversation, so they didn’t hear the hoof beats as she approached the house.

“Jimmy, I think it’s time we got married. We were planning on it anyway before . . . before the accident. And this way Teaspoon can go ahead and get another rider if he needs one. After we’re married, you can run the ranch. We had already decided that you were going to quit the Pony Express and make this into a working ranch. I know you don’t remember. I wish you did. But we can’t keep putting our lives on hold forever. We need to start again. Lets get married!

Maybe if he agreed to marry her then she might drop her guard, and he would find out why she wanted to marry him and not Cody. So he nodded his head. He just hoped Lee wouldn't get too mad once he told her what he had done.

"Really? That's terrific. We'll get married real soon, and we'll just have a few people there. Melissa, Jedidiah, Jewel and the preacher. That's all we'll need. How about July the fourteenth?"

"July the fourteenth?" Jimmy looked perplexed.

"Yeah, you know for the wedding." She was bubbling with joy. She was going to be Mrs. Jacy Hickok. Jimmy just nodded his head. Noticing Melissa in the doorway, she jumped up from the couch. "Melissa did you hear? We're getting married. Don't worry Jimmy you don't have to do anything. I'll plan it all. Jedidiah can walk me down the aisle, and he can also be your best man. It's going to be the most perfect wedding. I hope you'll excuse me, Jimmy. I've got lots to do before the wedding. Come on Melissa, I'll need your help." She grabbed Melissa by the arm and led her away to the kitchen to discuss the wedding plans.

Jewel was already in the kitchen fixing lunch, and she was surprised when Jacy and Melissa entered. She wondered where Jimmy was? Jacy hardly ever let him out of her sight.

All three discussed the wedding details, and then Melissa told them that she had missed them at the first church service two days ago. Jewel had wanted to attend, but Jacy wouldn’t let them go. Jacy still thought it was too soon for Jewel and Jimmy to be out in public.