October 31, 1860

Steven stopped the buckboard at Willow Manner. As Steven was helping Rachel down from his buckboard, he noticed Cody doing the same thing with Grace from a few feet away.

Cody spotted Noah and Ivy. He offered his arm and lead Grace over to where they stood. "Hi, Noah, Ivy. I see the others haven't arrived yet."

"Nope, Buck went to get his date. Then they were to be at Caly's when Charlie came to pick her up. He's playing chaperone for her." Noah commented.

Cody nodded, "To bad Jimmy and Lee are on a run. They might have enjoyed tonight. Cute costume, Noah, it suites you." Cody said in jest.

Noah started to reply when someone said, "Now Cody that wasn't very nice."

Cody turned towards the voice. He smiled when he saw that is was Caly. "Caly, wow Milady don't you look lovely. Charlie, Sir Lancelot, it fits you to a point. "

Caly blushed, "Why thank you, Sir Robin the Brave. I think Lancelot fits Charlie just fine. "

"Thank you Cody. I was just thinking the same about you. Noah and Ivy, great costumes. Well, if you'll excuse us, I would like to dance with my lovely date."

The others nodded. Then looked over towards Buck, who stood talking with Michael and Vanessa.

Buck looked up and nodded to the others then said, "Michael, will you excuse us? I would like to dance with this lovely lady."

"Sure. Oh, I love your costume Buck. Vanessa, you look great. It was nice meeting you." Michael replied. He knew Buck was playing chaperone to Caly. It bothered him some, but not too much. He shrugged his shoulders and went off looking for Melissa.

Buck offered Vanessa his arm. She took his arm, and he led her out on the dance floor. They danced and Buck kept an eye on Caly and Charlie. When the song ended, he led Vanessa over to where Charlie and Caly stood. The music started and Buck asked, "Charlie, may I borrow your date for a dance?"

Charlie nodded and watched as Buck lead Caly onto the dance floor. Then he turned to Vanessa and started to talk to her.

Buck smiled as he led Caly across the dance floor. He wanted to make sure she was okay. "Caly please be careful around Charlie. He has a reputation of not making a commitment. I don't want to see you get hurt."

Smiling back at him she said, "I have heard about him, but he has never been anything but a gentlemen to me. I will be careful though. I know you don't want me hurt. With you around I will be safe."

They continued to dance and Buck starting thinking of the pros and cons of courting her. The pros were she was nice, sweet, strong, determined, strong willed and every bit as good as him at a lot of things. They were friends and their friendship was strong and had gotten stronger with everything she had been through. She was pretty and took him for who he was not what he was. She did have a family that loved her and wanted her happy and they accepted him. The cons were she was a bit shyer then before, and Michael still didn't want him around her. She was a rich girl even if she didn't act like it. He looked at Caly and saw a pretty young lady he enjoyed spending time with. But he knew he wasn't ready to make a decision yet. But he also knew that he would always be her friend and he would always be there for her.

As the song ended he led her back over to her date. He spotted Corey sitting with Dean at one of the tables. "If you'll excuse me, I owe another young lady a dance." Then he headed off to ask Corey.

Caly smiled watching him walk away. Then she turned to Vanessa and started talking with her.

Buck walked over to Corey. "Excuse me ma'am but would you care to dance with me?"

Corey looked up and smiled, "Sure I would love to." She stood and took his arm that he offered her. Leading her to the dance floor he began to think of the pros and cons of courting her, too. The pros, Sweet, caring, gentle, pretty, they were friends, strong, determined, strong willed and every bit as good as him at a lot of things, didn't let things stop her from doing what she wanted to do. The cons, No family but he knew how that felt, sometimes to strong-willed, not sure if she wanted to stay in town or keep looking for her family. They danced and he still wasn't sure. He knew neither girl was going to force him to decide before he was ready. But deep down he was hurt that they were both at the dance with other guys. Guys he didn't know too well and wasn't sure if he trusted either one of them. He would just have to keep and eye on them while at the dance.

As the song ended he noticed that Dean was heading their way. He smiled at him and handed over his date with a slight nod to Corey, thanking her for the dance. Then he returned to his date, but also kept an eye on Caly. Like he promised her father he would.