As he approached the counter, Marta glanced up. "Can I help you sir?"

"I'm to meet someone here tonight." Ian said softly.

Marta smiled and nodded as she handed him an envelope. "You must be Ian Grant."

Ian opened the envelope that had his name on it and found a room key. He thanked the clerk and headed to the second floor to await his cupid.

About fifteen minutes later, Ian heard the sound of metal against metal as his cupid put her key in the lock. The room had been set for seduction, there were candles everywhere that he had lit as he had waited, a bottle of champagne was chilling on a dresser and two dozen roses were placed beside it. The door slowly swung open and the small hooded figure of a woman tentatively walked in. Ian grabbed his woman and turned her in his arms, without warning he bent his head and kissed her. He pulled back almost instantly, this woman wasn't thin like Elena . . . she was round like --- He frowned as he turned her into the glow of the candlelight, her hood had fallen back, and he gasped.

"Meghan!"

"Ian?" She stepped out of his arms and paled. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing. I never hoped to find out that you had feelings for me."

"What? You sent me a letter saying you were in love with me! If Luke were to find out about this he'd kill us both."

"Not you, just me." Ian replied sullenly. "I'm confused. You sent me the note."

"No, I got a note from the Cupid-"

"Caper." Ian finished. "So did I."

"I thought it was Luke trying to be romantic." She said sadly. "Who did you think sent yours?"

He'd be damned before he told her that he thought he was meeting the prostitute that was after her husband. "I thought some woman had taken a liking to me." Meg exhaled quickly then placed a hand to her lower back and groaned softly. "Are you okay?"

Meghan shook her head. "I've been feeling awful all day." She didn't tell him that it started when she tried on her new dress for tonight, it was red like the one she wore for last Valentine's Day, only now she thought she looked like she was a giant tomato. But it was the cramping that had begun late last night that had her uncomfortable more than the dress. Tomorrow she would ask Luke to take her to see Serena about it.

"I'm going to take you home. We can discuss what happened tonight some other time."

"Thank you, Ian."

Gently, he cupped her cheek in his hand and eyed her seriously. "Someone in town planned this Meghan, and if it wasn't you and it wasn't me than there's someone out there who thinks we should be together."

Meg trembled slightly as his soft voice swept over her. "Don't do this Ian. I'm married to your best friend. Just take me home please."

Unable to help himself he bent his head and kissed her lips tenderly then stepped back before he could deepen it. He moved her hood back over her head so that it placed her face in shadows once more. "There, we can't have anyone recognizing you and seeing us leaving the hotel together."

When Luke got to Cricket Creek, the fog was thick and rolling off of the water. He saw a figure standing in the middle of the fog on the bank of the creek. When he approached the figure, she took him in her arms and gave him a kiss. As the woman kissed him, Luke slid his hand down to feel his unborn child only to find out that it wasn't there. He pushed the woman out of his arms to find out it was Elena. Luke was enraged and Elena, who was expecting Ian, was a little disappointed, but intrigued to think that Luke had wanted to meet her.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"I was kissing you." She replied smugly.

"I mean, why? Oh never mind! When are you going to ever learn that I'm madly in love with my wife and I'll never leave her!"

"Just wait when you tire of her, you'll come to me, and I'll be waiting and then you will find out just what you've been missing." Elena said with a grin of satisfaction on her face.

This only served to enrage Luke more. "You're just a stupid whore who can't seem to get it through her thick skull that I'm in love with my wife, and I would never leave Meghan for a woman who could be had for a dollar!"

Elena just raised an eyebrow and said, "I'm worth a lot more than a dollar, Sugar."

Luke paid no attention her and just went on raving, "You're nothing but a worthless, lowdown, trouble maker. Meghan is ten times more beautiful than you could ever dream of being, and she's smart and has class, and she is respectable. What makes you think that I would want someone who isn't respectable?"

"Oh it's respectful to go behind your husband's back with his best friend?"

"And you're a liar too! Meg would never do that!"

"You're so blind you can't even see it! Just face it Luke when you find out that you have bad judgment, you'll want me more than ever."

"If you don't stop harassing us I'm going to Teaspoon about it! Leave me and my family alone Elena. I mean it!" Luke said as he climbed up on top of Silver Tide and rode off.

Daniel shook his head. "Did Meghan say they were coming tonight?"

"She told me they were probably coming. But she's been feeling sluggish lately, so I'm not sure."

Daniel sat beside his wife and stroked her abdomen gently. "How are you holding up?"

"I won't be dancing the night away, but I'm feeling okay. We really should leave early though."

"We can go whenever you want to. No one will say anything, at least we showed up."

Serena laughed softly as Daniel excused himself to get them some punch. He found Walter and Caller Bob at the punchbowl and assured both men that both his wife and daughter were healthy and happily awaiting the births of their children. He then thanked Caller Bob for putting the square dancing class together because he'd had a lot of fun teaching. The men talked quietly for a few minutes before Daniel excused himself and went back to Serena.

"Have they come in yet?"

She shook her head and took the punch from him. "I'm getting uncomfortable sitting here. Maybe we can go for a walk for a while, hopefully Meg and Luke will be here when we get back."

"As you wish my sweet." Daniel replied with a smile as he helped his wife to her feet. A few minutes later they were once again outside taking a long stroll away from the celebration and taking a few moments just to be alone.

Several minutes after they had left, Ian came bursting onto the scene. He looked around the room but couldn't find Meghan's parents anywhere. He knew that they weren't at the clinic because that was the first place he had checked. How much time did he have? He wondered. It had taken at least a half hour to get from Willow Manor to town and another few minutes to get to the party. He spotted the mayor and the banker that Meg had worked for standing together and quickly made his way over to them.

"Excuse me gentlemen. Have either of you seen Dr. Thomson?"

Caller Bob nodded quickly. "He was just here."

"I think I saw him and his wife leave a few moments ago. Is everything alright?"

"No. Meghan's in trouble. If you see them, could you tell them to please hurry back to Willow Manor? It's an emergency."

"I sure hope Meghan will be alright." Caller Bob said softly, and Walter agreed as both men watched as Ian ran out.

Ian caught up with the doctor and his wife as he spurred Rogue away from the party. He pulled up quickly and dismounted. "Ian?" Serena asked nervously. He had dried blood on his shirt and lip. "Is everything alright?"

He grabbed her hand before she could touch the sensitive injury on his mouth. "Meghan's water broke. You need to come up to Willow Manor right now."

Serena gasped and Daniel began to tremble slightly. "Oh my God, Daniel it's too soon. She's not due until next month."

"Is she there alone?"

"No, Luke's with her. They sent me to get you. She looked like she was in a lot of pain Doc. Please hurry."

The trio went back to the party to get Daniel's buckboard then after a quick stop to the clinic for his medical bag, they headed straight to the Saunder's homestead.

Daniel was the first through the front door. Serena had shoved him off of the buckboard, saying that Ian could help her down. When he entered the house he was taken with the silence that met him. Meghan should have been in labor unless . . . he didn't want to think he had lost her like he had her mother.

"Meghan! Luke!" He waited and prayed that his daughter was alright. He was just getting ready to run up the stairs when Luke's form came out of the shadows.

"We're fine." He whispered as he came down the stairs. "It's over."

"Meghan?"

"Resting peacefully."

Daniel exhaled quickly in relief. "The baby?"

"Babies." Luke corrected. "She gave birth to twins."

"What?" A female voice asked.

Both men turned towards the doorway to catch Serena's astonished expression. Luke laughed softly. "A boy and a girl."

"Congratulations Luke." Daniel exclaimed and gave his son in law a huge bear hug. "If you'll excuse me I'm going to check on mother and children." Luke went down the stairs to help Serena while Daniel ran up to the bedroom.

Daniel entered the room quietly and immediately went over to his daughter's side. She was a little pale, but she looked no worse for her ordeal. Meg's eyes opened slowly and she smiled. "Hi Daddy."

"Hey there Sweetheart. I hear you've decided to become a mother sooner rather than wait."

She laughed softly. "Blame it on your grandchildren's eagerness. Luke did tell you we have twins didn't he?"

"He did." Daniel kissed her forehead tenderly.

"Go see them. They're in the bassinet."

The doctor made his way over to the small cradle and peeked in. He touched them tenderly. "They're beautiful children Meghan."

"Will they live Daddy?"

Daniel nodded. "They're a little small, but that's to be expected with twins. Have they fed yet?"

"Yes."

"Then they have a very good chance, Meg. I'll examine them after I check you."

She shook her head. "No, check the children first."

Daniel did as he was asked and gave both new Saunders a clean bill of health before examining his daughter. A short while later, Luke entered the room with an excited Serena following closely behind.

The pregnant woman cooed softly at the children in the men's arms before she sat beside Meghan. "You may have had the easier pregnancy Serena, but I'm done first."

Serena laughed softly then caressed her stepdaughter's cheek. "Well this explains why you carried so different from me, and why the baby always seemed to be everywhere in your womb at once. How are you feeling?"

"Daddy says I'll need a few days rest, but I'll be fine."

"Good. Luke tells me you named them Grant and Elizabeth."

Meg nodded. "After our mothers. Luke refused to name his son Abel and his mother's maiden name is Grant so we used that."

"They are gorgeous Meghan."

"I think so too."

The men took that moment to sit on the bed with the babies in their arms. "You did wonderfully Luke. It's not every man who can see his wife in labor and have the mind enough to deliver his child." Daniel said softly as he cuddled Grant.

"I just wonder what you're going to do when Serena's time comes." Meghan replied.

"Maybe I'll have Luke deliver the baby for me."

"No thank you. I think I'm better suited to being a barber. I'll leave the doctoring to you Thomsons�."

The four laughed softly and Meghan caught sight of Ian standing in the doorway with his bag in hand. He nodded once to acknowledge her then turned and left. Meg wondered if he was leaving for good, and she felt an emptiness inside her. If nothing else, he was her friend and she would miss him.

As the members of Meg's family celebrated in the bedroom, Ian left to ready Rogue. As he left the house he met Buck, the Kiowa eyed him warily.

"Evening Buck." Ian said.

"Evening. Is Meghan here, I need to speak with her."

Ian glanced back at the house then turned his attention to the man before him. "She's there, but I'm afraid she's not ready for any visitors."

"Something wrong?" Buck asked. The concern in his voice making the question sound accusing.

Ian lifted an eyebrow. "She just gave birth. She's inside with Luke and her parents."

Buck's mouth dropped open, "Is she alright? The baby's early."

"Yeah, she's gonna be fine. She had twins. Serena said that it's normal to give birth early to twins."

"Twins?" Buck said in astonishment. "Wow, well as long as they're all okay." Buck eyed Ian's bag. "Going on a trip?"

"Now that the babies are here Luke and Meg don't need me hanging around. I'm going into town."

Buck nodded in understanding. Maybe Vanessa was wrong and there was nothing going on between Meghan and Ian. He wondered if there were, would Ian leave the house so easily. He then noticed the dried blood on Ian's lip and his suspicions were raised once more. Now was not the time to confront Meg on what Vanessa had seen but soon, maybe he'd just ask Corey and Caly to keep an eye on her without telling them of the rumor. With that settled Buck promised to check on Meg soon and departed.

"Good evening, Jimmy! What brings you out here?" She shuffled back and forth without looking up as she talked. Before Jimmy could answer, she continued, "Darn it! It's just not fair."

Always sympathetic towards depressed ladies, Jimmy was curious as to what was wrong. "What's not fair?"

"I'm going to miss the dance." She kicked at a rock and then looked up to stare into those gorgeous brown eyes. "I bought this new dress in Broken Bow, and my horse threw a shoe, and the blacksmith said it will be about an hour before it's fix. OHHHH!" Angry she stomped her foot. Kneeling down she took off the lid to her box and pulled back the tissue to reveal a beautiful frilly lacy jade dress. Quickly calming down she said, "See my new dress." She held it up in front of her. "Do you like?"

Jimmy grinned and said, "It's pretty ma'am." Jimmy looked around the area hoping to spot Lee.

"It's fate." She exclaimed.

"What ma'am?" Jimmy asked as he focussed his attention back on Jacy.

"It's fate. The angels sent you here, so that I could dance in my beautiful dress. Would you please dance with me?" She asked as her face beamed with a cheerful smile.

Taken by surprise Jimmy didn't know how to respond to Jacy's question. But before he could answer she continued, "Of course I can understand . . . if you're too busy." Gloomily she sat down near a tree still holding her newly bought dress.

Turning his head around he didn't see anybody. They were the only two out here. "Alright, I don't mind dancing with a pretty young lady."

Jimmy is a charmer. She thought as she rose up on her feet. "Oh thank you, you don't know how much this means to me. I'll just run over there behind those bushes and change." With her back to Jimmy and a big smirk on her face she shimmied to the bushes.

Jimmy dismounted and let Sundancer graze. He picked up a couple of stones and skipped them through the river. He then glanced down the way toward the bushes thinking that Jacy was a very pretty girl. She was kind of strange at times though. Maybe that's why Cody liked her so much. They were alike. He chuckled at his own joke. Suddenly he heard a scream, Jacy's scream. He bolted for the bushes.

Behind the bushes she was taking off her riding clothes to transform into a striking young lady. As she was about to grab her dress off the bush, she noticed her shirt moving. Thinking it was a snake, she screamed hoping that Jimmy would come to her aid.

The impetuous young rider rounded the bushes with his gun drawn. He stopped and glanced all around. Seeing nothing, he asked, "What?"

She pointed down at the ground. Wide-eyed Jimmy watched as Jacy's shirt moved. He stooped down and picked up a stick. With the stick he pulled the shirt off the thing underneath. As the animal scurried away, Jimmy started laughing.

"It's not funny." She said and playfully hit Jimmy in the arm. "I was scared. I didn't know what it was." Jimmy stopped laughing, but he kept a grin on his face.

"Well, are you going to stand there all day, or are you going to let me get dressed? She crossed her arms over her bosom.

Feeling awkward standing there with Jacy only wearing her undergarments, he shrugged his shoulders and left. She finished dressing and joined Jimmy at the river. "How do I look?" She asked as she stopped in front of him.

Jimmy studied her from head to toe. "You're a very lovely lady. Too bad Cody's not here."

She really liked Jimmy and couldn't care less where Cody was at the moment, but if he was going along with her Cupid note then he should be at Fun Meadow hopefully with Charity. It really didn't matter where he was, just as long as he wasn't with her --- with them. But at this time she didn't want Jimmy to know that. "Well, it doesn't matter. He's not here, so I'll have to settle for you." She put one hand on his shoulder and the other one in his left hand.

They danced and talked about this and that for about an hour. "Why were you out here, instead of in town?" Jimmy asked as they sat down to talk after their seventh dance.

"Oh well, I just didn't feel like staying in town. I thought I would come out here where it was . . . was peaceful. I like the quiet. I like just listening to nature."

Actually that was the farthest thing from the truth because she much preferred the city life, the bright lights, noise and lots of attention. But she knew that Jimmy mostly preferred being alone. Well, except when he was with that little tramp, Lee. You know she could easily get fired if someone told the Pony Express Company that she's a girl because only boys are allowed to be Pony Express riders. Oh well she dismissed Lee from her mind and concentrated solely on Jimmy.

She rubbed her hands together. She had her gloves on but still her hands were cold. She would be glad when spring came and the cold weather was gone. She hated the cold. She was tempted to put her coat back on, but she decided not to. She wanted Jimmy to see her only in her beautiful dress with the low cut neckline. Several times she had noticed him looking at her with a wishful expression. She hoped that it meant that he was falling for her. She loved him so much.

They talked, and she found out that they both had a lot in common. They both liked horses. She was a pretty good shot with a six-shooter in which she displayed her expertise for Jimmy's benefit with one of his colts. He was very impressed.

Jimmy was surprised to see how well Jacy could handle a gun. He had never seen her with one before, and he didn't even know that she could handle one, let alone hit a target. He was having fun talking to her. She seemed to be very interested in anything he said. Her smile was contagious too. Every time she smiled, he couldn't help but smile, too. She also had a pretty laugh that he liked very much.

Finally, they decided that it was time for Jacy to go into town and see about her horse. Jimmy offered to give her a lift into town, and she agreed. She went back to the bushes and took off her dress that she had especially bought to impress Jimmy. As she was putting on her shirt she felt something on her skin.

She started jumping up and down screaming and brushing at her shirt. Jimmy hearing her scream again came on the run with his pistol drawn. As he approached her she was still jumping around swatting at herself. "What is it? What's wrong?" Jimmy asked because he couldn't see any threat.

"It's in my shirt. It's in my shirt!" She screamed.

Jimmy holstered his gun and grabbed Jacy by the shoulders. "Stand still." He held her firmly. "Stand still. Moving around you're only going to agitate it. Hold still." Jimmy stared into Jacy's eyes and held her shoulders firmly until she calmed down.

He unbuttoned her shirt as she stood holding her breath afraid to breathe. He saw the spider not far from being under her armpit. He was afraid if the spider moved on up under her armpit that she would jump and the spider might bite her. So he would have to get rid of it very quickly. He snatched it with his hand and tossed it away. He turned around and looked at Jacy who had gone pale. Afraid that she might faint, he grabbed her into his arms and soothed her by stroking her back and talking softly to her. "First lizards, now spiders, what animal are you going to attract next." He grinned trying to get her to feel better.

She smiled and said, "I hope nothing. Well, except maybe your horse." She started buttoning her shirt again.

"Wait a minute it didn�t bite you did it?" Jimmy inquired for he wasn�t sure. She could have been bitten, and she didn�t even know it because of all her excited behavior.

"I don�t think so." She examined her body and didn�t find any puncture wounds. "No, it didn�t. You saved me . . . probably just in the neck of time. You�re my hero." She threw herself into his arms and gave him a big hug for being her savior. Awkwardly Jimmy hugged her back. Not wanting to get his suspicions aroused, she pulled back and smiled at him.

Oh if only I could stay in his arms forever, she thought as she pulled on her boots. She then put her coat on, grabbed her dress and headed in the direction of the river with Jimmy trailing behind. "Are you ready to take me to town, now?" She asked as she stroked Sundancer�s neck after she had bundled her dress back into it�s box.

"I�m ready when you are?" Jimmy took the box out of Jacy�s hand and tied it to his horse. As Jacy was mounting his horse, he gave her a lift up. He mounted and rode them into town to the livery stable. They both went inside to see if her horse was ready. While Jimmy was saddling her black steed, Jacy was admiring the horses in the stalls or so it seemed to Jimmy.

She pretended to be interested in the other horses while Jimmy saddled Justice. But really she was trying to stay a few feet away from Jimmy to put the rest of her plan into action. When Jimmy had his back towards her, she dropped to the ground and let out a moan. Jimmy immediately turned around and walked over to her. "What�s wrong?" He asked as he knelt down beside her.

"I�m not sure. My feet can be pretty clumsy sometimes. My foot twisted, and I didn�t catch my balance." She replied as she rubbed her ankle.

"Lets see if you can stand up." Jimmy helped her to her feet, but she wouldn�t put her left foot on the ground because when she tried, she moaned.

The man who owned the livery stable suggested that Jacy see a doctor. "It�s probably just a sprain, but you should make sure."

"We�ll be back for her horse." Jimmy said as he held onto Jacy and guided her toward the door. It was a slow process to the door, so Jimmy finally said, "I can get you there much faster if I just carry you." He swooped his arm up under her legs and put Jacy�s form into his strong masculine arms.

"Thank you," she said as her arms curled around his neck to hold on.

At the doctor�s office Jimmy waited patiently while the doctor tended to Jacy in the examination room. About fifteen minutes later Jimmy watched as Jacy hobbled into the room with her foot all wrapped in bandages. The doctor trailing her said, "She has a very swelled sprained ankle. She shouldn�t move around too much right now."

"But doc I have to ride back to Dreamville tonight." She exclaimed.

"I wouldn�t advise it. That foot doesn�t need to be moved unnecessarily for at least 24 hours . . ." Seeing her dismayed expression he revised his statement, "or at least 12 hours."

She looked at Jimmy. "Now what do I do?"

"I guess we�ll get you a room at the hotel." Jimmy put his arm around her to help her proceed out the door.

When they arrived at the hotel she told Jimmy that she didn�t want to stay here alone. After a discussion about Jacy being afraid about staying in the town alone, Jimmy decided to stay with her. They checked into the hotel. Unfortunately they would have to share a room because the place was full. Jimmy carried Jacy upstairs, put her down, unlocked the door, and helped her inside.

When Jimmy got back from bedding the horses at the stable, she tried to get Jimmy to sleep in the bed because she knew the chair would be uncomfortable, but he declined. He knew it wouldn�t be proper to do so. A little while later he watched as Jacy began to move and stir around in the bed, "What�s wrong?"

"It�s nothing." She tried to assure him.

After about ten minutes he couldn�t take it any longer, he threw the blanket off him and went over to the bed and looked down at her. She was very pretty in the moonlight. "Why are you squirming around. Is it your foot? Your teeth are chattering. Are you cold? Do you need me to get you some more blankets."

"Yes, I�m freezing, but blankets won�t help." She said as she looked up at his handsome face.

"Why not?" Jimmy inquired.

"You could put hundreds of blankets on me and they still wouldn�t help. I�d still be cold." She replied in between her teeth chattering. "Only one thing seems to help get me warm."

"What�s that?"

"Body heat." She paused and then continued when she got her chills somewhat under control. "I used to climb into bed with my mom when I was little, and I�d snuggle up with her and soon I would be warm from her body." He watched as Jacy started moving around in the bed. He couldn�t see anybody like this so he laid down beside her. "That won�t work Jimmy. I need to feel your body." She turned her head and smiled. "But thanks for the gesture." She started squirming again trying to rub her body so it would get warm but it wasn�t working.

Jimmy woke earlier then normal. Then he woke Jacy. "How�s your ankle?"

"Its sore but okay."

"Good we should be heading back." Jimmy helped Jacy down the stairs and over to the livery. He saddled Sundancer and Justice.

While watching Jacy hoped she could get Lee out of the way.

Noah knew who it was. "Clover!! It wasn't me. I was hoping it was Ivy that sent mine."

"No Sorry. Why can't you see that we belong together? Not you and Ivy."

"I do like you as a friend, but that�s all we will ever be. I love Ivy."

Clover smiled and pulled him into a kiss. Noah pulled away, "No Clover. I love Ivy." Then he mounted Trouble and rode back to the station.

Charity couldn't believe her luck, of all the people in town she couldn't believe that Cody would be her secret admirer, well she must have been doing something well. She never liked Valentine's day before, but maybe that was because she had never had a beau for the holiday. Things were definitely looking up for her since she had arrived in Dreamville. She had a best friend, plenty of gossip to listen to and now she possibly had a beau.

They spent the time together getting to know each other better. They found that they could be good friends if nothing else. They actually had a lot in common. Charity knew that men didn't like it if their women had different opinions, so she said that she liked a lot of the same things he did because she wanted to be with him. She knew he didn't belong with Jacy, but she didn't say anything to him about it.

Cody knew about her being a gossip. But chose to keep it to himself. He would like to keep his secrets to himself so he held back a lot from her. After a little while, they rode to the fork in the road then headed in their own directions.

She realized it wasn't Tally. "Hello Mr. Johnson." She called out.

"Hello Samantha. What brings you out here?" Steven asked as he rubbed Shadow Dancer�s nose.

"I got a Cupid Letter saying to meet my secret admirer here."

Steven smiled, "I got the same letter. Well it�s not a total lost. I was hoping it was Rachel, but an evening with a pretty lady isn't all bad."

Samantha blushed. They walked along the rocks getting to know each other.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

This morning Ted awoke earlier than usual, so he went downstairs and had breakfast in the dining room. Marta was amazed to see him for he always had breakfast in his room. She took his order and went to the kitchen to prepare his meal. After breakfast Ted took a walk around town watching all the pretty ladies that he could see in hopes that he might figure out who had sent him the Cupid note. Several ladies smiled or said hello to him, but he couldn�t tell if they were his Cupid or not. Finally it was time to open the bank, so he headed that way. As he climbed the steps, he took out the bank key and then unlocked the door.

Meanwhile she was watching from the PEG window thinking I hope this works. It�s just got to work. I want him for my own, and she can�t . . . no won�t have him if I have anything to say about it. And hopefully this will get Ted out of my life, too. She mischievously grinned as she watched Ted enter the bank. Hopefully him and Lee will become lovers before the night is over.

Before entering though Ted turned around and looked around the town once more hoping to spot his Cupid. He did catch a quick glimpse of Jacy looking out the PEG window, and could it be . . . could she be his Cupid. If she was . . . he let the thought dangle as he smiled and went inside.

Ted performed his bank duties in somewhat of a daze because all he could think about was tonight, and who would be his Cupid. When the day was over and the bank all locked up, Ted went back to his room. As he had entered the hotel Marta had asked if he wanted a light supper. She was to be running the hotel, checking in customers tonight, and the dining area would be closed for the evening, but she figured that she could rustle up a quick simple supper if Ted wanted it. But Ted had declined. He wasn�t interested in food. Marta was disappointed that he had shot down her invitation so quickly and wondered why he was so distant.

Time went by too slowly for Ted and several times he thought about leaving and getting there before his Cupid, but then he changed his mind. As he paced back and forth in his room wishing the time would go a little faster, his Cupid was primping herself for their romantic rendezvous. Finally he decided that he could take the long way to his destination and get there a little after the appointed time, so that his Cupid would be there first.

He went to the livery but Samantha wasn�t there. She had left him a note on the gate door of Reflection�s stall telling him that he could just go ahead, saddle Reflection and take him for the evening. Ted looked around, found a saddle and did just what Samantha had suggested. As he took the round about way to Dead End Canyon, he kept disputing with himself why it couldn�t be such and such who would be his Cupid, but every few seconds he would wonder if it was Jacy.

Upon arrival at Dead End Canyon he stopped his horse. Looking around he saw a rider in the shadows. He kicked his horse and started towards the lone figure. Just at the last minute Ted wondered if it had all been just some sort of setup to capture or kill him. But why would anyone want to harm him. He had no known enemies and he wasn�t worth anything. That brief thought abated quickly as Lee�s features came into view. Abruptly he stopped a few feet away from her and wondered why Lee had been pretending to be a boy all this time.

Speechless Ted didn�t know what to do. But before he could find any words, he heard a thundering sound. He swung around to see a herd of horses heading this way. Shocked he didn�t know what to do. He froze. But Lee didn�t. She swung down off her horse, grabbing Ted by the arm, dragging him off his horse and pulling him behind a big boulder all the while hollering, "Come on, come on!" As she pushed him behind the boulder, she said, "Don�t worry, will be fine here." Ted just looked at her in amazement.

The herd ran by them, but as they found out that the canyon was a dead end, they turned around and ran back the way they had come. Black and Reflections got caught up in the herd and ran with them. Unfortunately this left Lee and Ted both on foot.