Melissa had finished selling all her papers for the day. Now she could rest. She sat down in front of the PEG and stared across the street at the boutique. Sheriff Teaspoon's niece, Grace, owned the boutique now. She had been meaning to get over to see Grace, but she had been very busy lately. The Costume Party was coming up, and Melissa needed a costume, so she stood up and started across the street. But before she got half way across, she saw Jesse riding into town.

Jesse had finished his chores and he had decided to go for a ride. Before he knew it, he was heading for town. As he rode down the street he spotted Melissa crossing it. He rode Express, the horse that Teaspoon said he could ride as long as Jesse took care of him properly, up to her.

"Hello," Melissa said as Jesse approached.

"Hi," Jesse replied.

"Are you going to the party?" Melissa asked.

He knew she was talking about the costume party that Meghan and Luke were having because that was the party that everybody was talking about lately. Jesse shrugged his shoulders, "I don't think so."

"Why not?" Melissa wondered.

Jesse shook his head and didn't reply.

"I was just heading over to Grace's shop. I need to get her to make me a costume for the party. Do you want to go with me?" Melissa watched his expression. She figured he wanted to, but didn't feel right about entering a boutique shop. "Well, if you're afraid to enter the shop ...," she let the implication hang and started walking to the boutique.

Jesse spurred Express on and in front of Melissa, stopping her in her tracks. "I'm not afraid. There's nothing to be afraid about. It's just a shop."

"Uh huh," Melissa pushed Express' head out of her face, sidestepped and walked up onto the boardwalk.