JUNE 22, 1861

Michael ran home from helping clean up the schoolyard to tell Caly about what had happened.

As he reached the house he couldn't find his sister anywhere.

He ran to the barn thinking she might be there. Sighing he walked out of the barn disappointed. He really wanted to tell her about the accident. He had seen his father's team in town, but he knew Caly wasn't there. He knew she rarely spent time with their father anymore. He didn't know why, but he knew it had to do with Buck not coming around anymore.

Hearing a horse come into the yard, Michael looked up knowing it wasn't his sister because her horse was still in the barn.

His hope rose a little at seeing Lee. She might know. "Lee." He called out as he walked towards her.

Lee stopped Black and climbed down. "Hey Michael, what's wrong?" She asked as she saw the worry on his face.

"I can't find Caly. Star is still in the barn. But she's nowhere to be found. I wanted to tell her about the accident that happened at the school."

Lee thought for a minute. "I think I know where she is. Wait here, and I'll find her."

Nodding Michael sat on the porch swing to wait.

Lee took Black into the barn. Shutting the door behind her, she quickly cooled Black down. She went to the tact room and opened the door. "Caly, Michael's looking for you."

"Oh okay, I'll go find him. Thanks Lee." Standing Caly picked up the rose, Buck had given her. Walking out of the barn, she went to find her brother.

Lee watched her friend leave and felt sorry for her.

Caly spotted Michael on the porch swing and called to him. "Mikey."

Michael stood and smiled. "Caly, you should have been in town the other day. The swings fell, and Jemima and Brianna were hurt. Miss Boudreau sent me and Jesse for help."

"Are they okay? Good, I'm glad you could be of some help."

Michael nodded. "They'll be okay. Are you going to the Fourth of July dance?"

Caly thought about it for a minute and then shook her head. "I wasn't planning on it, but I know pa won't let me stay alone. He'll say it's to tempting for Buck to come over without him here. You should ask Melissa to go. You should at least have some fun."

"Okay. I was thinking about it. Thanks sis." He gave her a reassuring hug and smiled. Then he went inside to change before he got started on his chore.