AUGUST 25, 1861

Melissa was worried. She knew that Michael would be here any minute, and Kid hadn’t showed up yet. She was supposed to tell Kid to wait for Jacy that she would be home as soon as she could. Jacy and Jewel had lost track of time today and they were running late on getting the paper together for tomorrow. Melissa had volunteered to stay and help, but Jacy and Jewel both thought it best that she go on home and be there when Michael showed up to pick her up. Besides she could tell Kid to wait for Jacy.

Melissa paced up and down on the front porch. She was afraid that something might happen to ruin the night. She didn’t want that to happen. She just couldn’t wait to see Jacy’s face light up when Cody walked over to her and asked her to dance. She peered down the lane and saw a horse coming, but as it got closer she knew it was Michael and Bear.

Oh no, she silently thought. Michael was here before Kid. Michael rode on in and stopped. He gave Melissa a big bright smile as he saw her in a very pretty dress. “Good evening, Melissa.”

“Hello Michael,”

“Are you ready?” He could tell that she was because Braids was saddled and ready to go, but it was the only thing he could think to ask.

“Well, I was supposed to tell Kid to wait for Jacy. She’s running a little late. But it seems that Kid is running late, too.” Melissa peered down the lane in hopes to see a horse coming, either Jacy’s or Kid’s, but there wasn’t anybody.

“So where is Jacy?” Michael turned around to look down the lane, too.

“She’s at the PEG.”

“Well, you think that maybe Kid went in to town and found Jacy there. That’s why he isn’t here yet.”

“That could be, or Kid could have been on a run, and he’s running late, too.” Melissa informed him.

“But we don’t know for sure which it is. Can’t you just leave a note for Kid? That way we won’t be late.” Michael paused waiting for an answer. He saw that Melissa was debating whether or not to go or leave a note. “Of course it doesn’t matter. We can wait if you want to.”

“No, I can leave a note. I’ll be right back.” Melissa went inside and shortly came back out with a note in her hand. “Where shall I put it?”

Michael dismounted and found a rock. He placed the rock on top of the note in front of the door. “No one will miss that.”

“Great, lets go.”

Michael helped Melissa mount, and then he mounted, and they headed for Caller Bob’s. Right before they left Melissa saw Smoke come out from under the porch, so she told him to stay and guard the house.

After Melissa and Michael left, Smoke took a tour of the yard making sure that everything seemed to be all right. He finished his tour of duty up on the front porch where he noticed the rock in front of the door. There hadn’t been a rock there before. He nudged it and saw the piece of paper. He used his paw and moved the paper. He sniffed it with his nose and smelled Melissa and Michael’s scent. He lost interest in the paper and rock and laid down at the top of the porch near the steps. A little breeze was blowing to make the evening nice and bearable from the heat of the day.

About a half hour later, Kid showed up at StarShine Haven. He only found Smoke and no one else. He was late. He figured that Jacy had thought that he wasn’t coming and that she had went to Caller Bob’s without him. Although it was odd that Cody didn’t answer the door either or at least call out to him. He thought about going inside and checking out the place, but maybe Cody was just sleeping that’s why he hadn’t come to the door, or maybe since Kid was late that Cody had taken Jacy to the dance after all. He truly hoped that Jacy and Cody would have a happy ending. They both were fine people and deserved the best. He liked them both as good friends.

Before stepping off the porch, he noticed a rock. It was out of place so he picked it up and threw it out in the yard. Smoke thought Kid wanted to play and immediately retrieved the rock and sat it down in front of Kid. Kid stooped down and said, “No Smoke, I’ve no time to play.” If only Kid had looked a little bit more to the left, he might have seen a piece of paper near the far left edge of the porch. The note that Melissa had left for him. But he didn’t see it. He picked up the rock that Smoke had dropped and then he left the porch. Before mounting he threw the rock away while Smoke wasn’t looking. He took off for the dance hoping that Jacy wouldn’t be too mad at him for not picking her up.

When Kid showed up at the dance, he noticed that Ike and Cody in his wheelchair was there, but he didn’t see Jacy at first glance, so he headed over to speak with Ike and Cody about Jacy’s whereabouts. After conversing with them, he realized that Jacy wasn’t here yet.

Cody was a little worried. Where was Jacy? “Melissa,” he called out across the room.

Melissa turned and smiled at Cody. “Excuse me Michael, Cody wants me.” Michael nodded.

“Melissa do you know where Jacy is?” Cody inquired.

“You mean she’s not with you.” Melissa said as she looked at Kid.

“No, I arrived at your home, and no one was there.” Kid replied.

“But didn’t you get my note? I left you one saying that Jacy was running late because of work and for you to wait for her.” Melissa asked.

“No, I didn’t see a note.”

“It was under a rock in front of the door. How could you have missed it?”

“I saw the rock but no note. The rock wasn’t in front of the door though. It was over to the side. But Smoke was on the porch, and it is a little windy outside. He might have moved the rock and then the paper could have blown away. So I probably got there before Jacy did.” Kid shook his head. He should have waited at the house. He should have known that Jacy wouldn’t come to dance unescorted, especially not when Kid was suppose to be her date.

“Well, no problem. When Jacy and Jewel get to the house and find we’re not there, they’ll come straight here. I’m sure they will.” Melissa said to ease Cody’s worry.

“Should I go head back to the ranch and get her?” It was a long way, but he didn’t mind. He didn’t want Cody being upset, especially since he had actually come to the dance.

“No, that won’t be necessary, Kid. I’m sure Melissa’s right. They’ll show up soon, and you’ll have a lot of apologizing to do for coming to the dance without her.” Cody smirked at Kid. Kid shook his head and grinned. “She’ll probably chew you out for being a lousy escort.”

Jacy and Jewel returned home, and there was no one there. Jewel helped Jacy get dressed for the dance even though Jacy was hesitant to go because of no escort and because she was running late.

“Don’t worry so. Sometimes it’s good to be fashionably late, as my mother, I mean my adopted mother would say. Besides when you’re late and you walk in as beautiful as you are, then all the men will turn and watched as you enter noticing how very beautiful you are.” Jewel tried to ease her concerns.

Jacy frowned at her. “You wouldn’t just be saying that because we look exactly alike, are you?”

Jewel tilted her head, seeming to ponder the question. “You know you could be right.” And then she smiled at her identical twin. Jacy knew that Jewel was just teasing her, so she grinned back. “Now come on. You’ve got to go or the dance will be over before you even arrive. It will be quicker if you ride Trixsy instead of going by buggy.”

“But in my dress.” Jacy looked aghast.

“You’ll have to ride side saddle but you can do it, right?” Jewel didn’t really know how good a rider Jacy was.

“Well, I suppose I can.”

“Come on then, let’s go.” Jewel pulled Jacy all the way out of the bedroom, out the house and to her horse. She helped Jacy climb aboard Trixsy by holding out her petticoat and dress while she mounted up. “I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time.”

“But what about Cody? Where is he? And what about Kid?” Jacy asked.

“I’m not sure about Cody, maybe he’s in bed asleep, but don’t worry about him now. It’s your night to shine in that pretty dress. As for Kid, maybe he’s running late, too. If I see him, I’ll send him on to the dance.” Jewel waved to her as Jacy turned Trixsy around and headed to Caller Bob’s.

On Jacy’s way to the square dance it began to get dark. She hated riding alone at night and wondered if she hadn’t been better off staying home, but she kept going. Almost to Caller Bob’s home, Trixsy starts to get jittery. Then Jacy realizes that she is sort of limping, so Jacy drops to the ground to investigate. She finds that Trixsy has picked up a stone in her right fore hoof, but Jacy can’t dislodge it.

Suddenly Trixsy jerks her head up and Jacy looses her grip on the reins. Hearing a noise to her left, Jacy turns to see what it is. She can’t see anybody, but she hears twigs breaking and it’s coming closer. Before she can turn around to grab Trixsy’s reins, Trixsy takes off. Now Jacy is really alone and scared. Whoever it is they’re coming closer, and Jacy decides not to wait around to find out who it is. She takes off running as fast as she can. She has a firm hold of her dress and petticoat so they won’t go swooshing around her while she’s running.

Very frightened Jacy runs right smack into Cody as she enters Caller Bob’s barn. Cody was getting worried about Jacy and had decided to check outside for her, but as he was about to leave, his beautiful lady rushes right into his arms. “Someone is following me,” Jacy finally gets out in between breaths.

Noticing the fear in Jacy’s face, Cody becomes concerned. “Where? Who?”

“I don’t know. They scared me. Trixsy ran off. She has a rock in her hoof. I hope she’ll be alright.” It dawned on Jacy just then that Cody was standing. Her mouth dropped open in awe. “You’re standing.”

“Yes, I am. I can walk, too. Lets go check on Trixsy and see who the big bad wolf is that is chasing my gal. He better have a good reason or he’s gonna have to tangle with me.” Cody says as Curtis stops and stands in the doorway because Jacy is blocking it.

“Who’s gonna have to tangle with you, Cody?” Curtis inquired.

“Whomever it was who was frightening Jacy. Did you see anybody outside when you got here?”

“No, not a soul. I think everybody is in here. I didn’t see anyone.”

“Could it been Curtis who spooked you?” Cody looked intently into Jacy’s face for a reaction to his suggestion.

“Only if he was scampering around in the woods.” Jacy looked from Cody to Curtis.

“Nope, not guilty. I came by way of the path. I haven’t been in the woods tonight. It wasn’t me.” Cody and Jacy both nodded believing Curtis. “Do you want me to take a look with you, Cody?”

Cody nodded. “Jacy you stay here, and Curtis and I will search the premises and also find Trixsy.” Jacy nodded. She didn’t feel like braving the night again. Once was enough for her. She spied Melissa and headed towards her.

Kid came over to Jacy and Melissa. “I’m sorry I missed you at the house, Jacy.”

“It’s alright.” Jacy was more worried about being spooked then Kid not being at the house to escort her.

“Is that all you’re going to say? Cody told Kid that you would chew him out for not waiting for you.” Melissa stated.

“I’m not mad.”

“No, you’re not. You look more frightened to me.” Ted had overheard the conversation since he was just a few feet away. “Is something wrong?”

“I just got a little frightened and thought I saw someone out there in the woods as I was coming here. Cody and Curtis went to check it out.” Jacy inwardly tried to shake off the uneasiness feelings she was having. She didn’t want to worry anybody. After all it was suppose to be a party, a joyous occasion.

“Someone was stalking you?” Now Ted was really worried for his friend safety.

“No, I’m sure it’s not that.” Jacy said in hopes that she would believe it herself.

“Maybe it was just an animal. Like a lion or a wolf, out looking for something to eat.” Melissa was bumped in the arm from Michael after she said that.

He shook his head. “That won’t make her feel any better.” Melissa realized he was right and began to apologize when Cody and Curtis interrupted the group.

“We didn’t see anyone out there.” Cody told them as he stopped near Jacy. “I found Trixsy. I tied her up right outside, and I got the stone out of her hoof.” Jacy nodded. “Don’t worry. I’m sure it was nothing.”

“It was probably a raccoon or a squirrel that you heard. Things that you can’t see but hear at night just tend to frighten you more than if it was daytime.” Curtis said. Some of the people just nodded, wanting to agree with Curtis, so the whole incident could be forgotten and the celebration could start. Jacy smiled wanting to forgot about the horrifying event.

Caller Bob saw that most of the people were here, so he said, “Lets get this party started. Square ‘Em Up!”
 
Before Meg or Luke could answer Serena's question, they heard Caller Bob's voice. "Listen up everybody, Teaspoon has an announcement to make.

Serena eyed her husband curiously. She'd been awakened last night from Daniel's tossing and turning, her worry was increasing, as he had never done that before. Daniel had always been a sound sleeper. She had watched anxiously as he sprung up in bed with his eyes wide, turning his head from side to side in search of something, but when she had asked him about the nightmare, he wouldn't say anything about it.

Though her heart wasn't in dancing, Serena wanted to get Daniel on his feet and doing something besides concentrating on his memory loss, so she grabbed his hand and began a square. She hoped that getting his mind on something else might trigger a memory deeply embedded in his subconscious. Luke and Meg along with Walter, Desiree, Javier and Lilly joined them. After the first dance, Jimmy and Lee stepped in because Lilly had to sit down, and Javier wanted to be with his wife.

Then Cody and Jacy formed a square with Michael as Jacy’s corner and Melissa as Michael’s partner. Steven and Destiny joined them. Jemima was looking around to see if she would have a partner this evening. She usually got to dance with Jesse, but unfortunately he hadn’t returned to Dreamville yet. Just when she began to think that she wasn’t going to get dance, Kid walked up to her and asked her if she would like to be his partner. Of course she did.

So this left Simon and Elena, Richard and Kathleen, Teaspoon and Rachel, and Corey and Ted for the last square.

Ike decided to sit out and keep Jennifer company on the first square dance. She seemed to enjoy watching them dance, Ike noticed. He was glad. Maybe she would take square dance lessons. So far he had been able to keep her away from the food table. He didn’t want her to see the cake until later after Teaspoon told everybody about her being his sister.

Although Daniel didn't liven up much, he seemed to be able to do the calls meticulously. Serena tried to enjoy herself a little, but her mind kept wandering back to her lost son. She wondered if he was being well tended to and if he was happy.

“I think we’re all revved up to go some more, so don’t anybody sit down. Let’s have another square dance. All the squares stayed the same except for one. Lilly had to sit down and Javier wanted to be with his wife, so Jimmy and Lee stepped in to finish the square. And in doing so, Lee said to Jimmy. “Now I guess we know why Cody wanted to surprise Jacy.” Jimmy nodded. Their friend had been very sly in keeping the fact that he could walk a secret. He wondered if anybody had known that Cody could walk. He suspected Ike because Ike had been here with Cody when him and Lee had entered.

After the second square dance Serena tried to get Daniel more interested in his surroundings and their company by asking Meg and Luke what was going to be done about their home. Of course Meg knew that she and her family needed to leave Serena and her father's home. She could see how it tormented them both everyday to see Liz and Grant not knowing where their baby was.

Before Meg or Luke could answer Serena’s question, they heard Caller Bob’s voice. “Listen up everybody, Teaspoon has an announcement to make.

Teaspoon walked over to Caller Bob. He wished that Ike could be making this announcement himself, but he knew it wouldn’t be fair to the townsfolk if he did because a lot of them couldn’t understand sign language. “Good evening ladies and gents. I hope you’re all having a really good time.” He saw some of them nodding their heads and smiling, affirming his statement. Well, tonight Caller Bob and I had an ulterior motive for having this square dance. Besides wanting you all to have a wonderful and fun time, we also wanted to welcome someone to Dreamville.”

Everybody looked around at everybody else wondering who Teaspoon could be talking about, but of course Ike and Jennifer didn’t have to look around because they knew. Teaspoon continued,   “A while back two kids were separated from each other, each thinking the other one was dead, but recently they’ve found out otherwise that that just wasn’t so. I’m happy to say that they are both alive and right here in our little town of Dreamville. I want everybody here to make welcome,” he paused for a few seconds, “Miss Jennifer McSwain. Yes, you all heard me right. Jennifer would you come up here please.” Blushing Jennifer rose and joined Teaspoon. “This here is Ike’s long lost sister, so please do your best to make her feel welcome.”

“Well, you heard Teaspoon. Let’s make her feel at home.” Cody directed his words to his fellow Pony Express riders, and then while holding Jacy’s hand, he started forward to greet Ike’s sister. Jimmy, Lee, Rachel, Kid and Ike followed him.

After mostly everybody greeted and welcomed Jennifer to Dreamville, Caller Bob said the blessing and then most of the folks went to grabbing them a plate full of food. Of course Cody was the first one in line with Jacy right behind him because he hadn’t let go of her hand since they had finished square dancing. He wasn’t taken any chances of losing his gal to anybody. He didn’t even plan on letting Kid have one dance with her even though he was suppose to have been her escort. He was pretty sure that Kid wouldn’t mind though.

Jennifer was surprised to see the cake with the words ‘Welcome Jennifer’ on it. But Teaspoon explained to her how that had come about, and she thanked Rachel for making it for her. She wished she could have thanked Lou, too but he wasn’t here. He was out on a run and so was Noah.

Buck and Caly sat off by themselves most the time; just enjoying the evening. They managed to get a few dances in. 

Destiny smiled as she watched the young couples. Her attention was divided between the dancers and the girls, Jemima and Brianna, chatting and eating nearby.

Richard and Kathleen danced and enjoyed spending time with their friends. 

Steven smiled as he watched how happy both his children were tonight. He hated the fact that they were growing up on him. His attention turned back to Caly. She wasn't his baby anymore. Soon she would have a family of her own, but he still saw her as his baby, and Michael, too, for that matter.

After the announcement Brandon felt better about coming to the dance. At first he had almost not come when he heard that Jennifer was coming to the dance with Ike, but now he was glad that he had come. Because now that he knew that Jennifer was Ike’s sister and not his girlfriend, he could ask her to dance. He couldn’t square dance, but he could waltz and Virginia reel as good as anybody. When the music started up again and Brandon saw that Jennifer was done eating, he went over and asked her for a dance. She stood up and they began to waltz around the room.

Ike watched with uncertainty. He didn’t know anything about this fella, and he didn’t want his sister getting hurt. When the music stopped and another song began, Ike asked Kid to ask Jennifer to dance. Always the nice one, Kid knew Ike was trying to make sure that Jennifer had a wonderful evening, so he did likewise and asked Jennifer for a dance. Brandon wondered if he had some competition for Jennifer’s interest. He’d have to keep a close eye on Kid.

Caller Bob announced another square dance and though it wasn’t quite 10:30 yet, some people had already left, so that only left two squares to form on the dance floor. Jennifer watched as Ike twirled Charity. Teaspoon, Rachel, Kid, Corey, Melissa and Michael were also in her brother’s square. The other square was made up of Cody, Jacy, Simon, Elena, Javier, Lilly, Walter and Desiree. All eight couples seemed to be having a real fun time. Jennifer wished she knew how to square dance.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Brandon said as he held out some punch to Jennifer. Jennifer smiled up at him and accepted the drink.

“I was just thinking that square dancing sure looks like a lot of fun.” She replied.

“I was just thinking the same thing.” Curtis said as he joined the two. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” He saw a scowl come over Brandon’s face.

Brandon hadn’t had the chance to be alone with Jennifer again all night since it seemed like everybody else in the room wanted her attention.

Jennifer shook her head. They talked a bit and Jennifer learned that Curtis was a traveler as she had been. In fact they had both been to some of the same places. Brandon was left out of most of the conversation since he hadn’t traveled around much. Feeling a little hurt and ignored by Curtis’ presence, he turned around to watch the square dancers hugging and thanking everybody in their square.

The square dancing ended, and Ike promptly returned to his sister’s side. Caller Bob announced one more waltz before the dance would be ended, and before Brandon could ask Jennifer to dance, Ike swept her out on the dance floor.

“Better luck next time,” Aaron said as he glided Marta around his brother. Brandon just frowned and decided to leave since he didn’t have a dance partner.

Jacy was waltzing with Cody, but when she saw Curtis standing along the wall, she mentioned it. “Cody, Curtis hasn’t danced all night. We did ask him to come. He looks like he hasn’t a friend in the world.”

Cody didn’t want his gal to be sad. “Would you like to dance with him?”

“You wouldn’t mind?”

“No, of course not. I’ve kept you to myself all night, but I think I can let you go for just one dance.” To prove his point, his hand let go of hers and his other hand let go of her waist. Spying Rachel off to the side, he said, “I’ll dance with Rachel. Teaspoon’s already left to go back to town.” Jacy nodded and they separated.

After the music stopped, Curtis thanked Cody for letting his gal dance with him. “Cody, I’ve invited Curtis to spend the night at the ranch. I didn’t think it would be proper to have invited him to the dance, but not to have offered him lodging.” Jacy explained, and Cody nodded.

Last to leave Jacy, Cody, Curtis, Melissa, Michael and Kid mounted their horses. With Ike and Jennifer in a buggy, they all rode homeward together. Michael was the first one to be dropped off at home. Next Kid left the group when they arrived at the Pony Express station. Ike and Jennifer kept going because Ike had to escort Jennifer back to her hotel room.

Jacy, Cody, Curtis and Melissa veered northwest and headed to StarShine Haven. When the foursome arrived, Jewel was already asleep. Jacy had thought that she might be waiting up for her, so that she could hear how her night went, but then again, it had been a very long workday for them with the newspaper. Jacy was sure that in the morning Jewel would ask her all about the dance. Jacy just wasn’t so sure that she wanted to tell her twin that she had got spooked by a raccoon or squirrel though. Although Jacy was pretty sure that Melissa would be the one to tell Jewel about it if she didn’t.

As Jacy’s head softly hit the pillow and she was quickly drifting into a deep sleep. The last thing she thought was, everything was great again. Cody could walk, and she was his gal again because all night long, he had kept telling her so.