MARCH 2, 1861

Lying on his bed Tally was thinking about his latest escapade.

Elena was already gone for the evening, Dean was out and Vanessa and Anjanette had retired for the evening, so Tally tip-toed down the hall praying that no one would see him. He turned the knob and a smile played across his face as he found out that it was unlocked. Searching up and down the hall one last time and seeing no one, he quickly entered and shut the door. He went through all of Elena's drawers and finally found it in the last drawer at the bottom. She had it wrapped in a silk hankie. He pocketed the necklace and wrapped a note back inside the hankie. He then left and went to his room chuckling to himself. He wished he could be invisible so he could see the expression on Elena's face when she found out that the necklace was gone.

The note he had substituted for the necklace was hilarious. His cleverness had come into play. Instead of just taking the necklace, Tally had decided to leave Elena a note. It would keep her on her toes. She would be walking on eggshells wondering who the culprit was, suspecting everyone. He remembered it word for word, 'Elena we are watching you, and if you continue to do bad things, us, the leprechauns will get you." In fact he had an idea that might just shake Elena up a bit, and then maybe she would keep her nose out of Jacy's and Cody's business.

Thinking of business Tally turned his thoughts aside from Elena and started thinking about his business. The railroad tracks soon would be connected and then he had decided that the train would start in Dreamville with a big celebration to kick off the expansion to California. Beauregard was already on the other end and he had sent Tally a letter notifying him that it should be completed next month. Tally had replied back telling his foreman, Beauregard, that the train was on its way to Dreamville.

Also on it's way to Dreamville was Tally's personal stagecoach. He would need it to travel to towns nearby. He missed traveling in style and being admired.

He still hadn't decided whether he should tell his secret to Jacy or not. She had been out of sorts ever since she had returned. But sooner or later he would have to tell her that secret, but his other secret would be coming out soon to the whole town for it would be too hard to keep it a secret, him being the owner of the railroad. The J&J railroad was coming to town. A smile developed on his face as he envisioned his train rolling into Dreamville.

At one point he had thought of having a spokesperson represent him to start off the celebration, and that way he could keep his secret a little while longer, but his conscience got the better of him. It was time to tell the folks of Dreamville who he really was. At first they would be either shocked or surprised that a railroad owner had pretended to be a lowly bartender at a bordello. But they would get over it soon enough. Although he wasn't sure how they would respond to his deception all these months. Oh well, he would just have to wait and see. Maybe it would be better if he told Jacy his secret. Maybe she would understand and he would at least have one ally. He would give it some more thought before deciding.

Getting up he decided it was time to send his letter and also to get Cody and Jacy back together. He went over to the Silver Spoon where he found Charlie and outlined his plan to him, and Charlie agreed to help him. He left the box with Charlie and went over to the PEG office. The curtain wasn't completely shut, so he peered inside and saw Jacy working at her desk. He smiled at the thought of his scheme. He slipped the note under the door, knocked and took off. He disappeared into the store where he delivered his letter to Blythe.

She walked towards the door but halfway there she saw something on the floor. She bent down and unfolded the note. She quickly read it and then opened the door to look left and right wondering who it was that had left the note. She didn't see anyone, so she reread the note again.

Jacy please meet me at the Silver Spoon!

It was short and no signature, not even signed 'your secret admirer'. Could it be? Naw . . . but maybe . . . well . . . hmmm . . . Could it be Jimmy? Oh wow it might just be. She smoothed down her riding dress. Oh I wish I had something pretty to put on she thought as she left her office. She started across the street. I could go to the boutique and pick out something real quick. No . . . then I would have to go back to the office to change and he might think I'm not coming and leave. No it was better if she just went directly there. If it was Jimmy, she didn't want to keep him waiting.

Hurrying into the restaurant she quickly scanned the room, but there wasn't anybody there. Her shoulders drooped and a frown crossed her face. Was someone just playing a trick on her. She was about ready to do an about face when Charlie came out of the kitchen.

"Jacy, I've been waiting for you." Charlie said as soon as he saw her.

Startled and thinking oh no it can't be . . . that note couldn't be from him. That's all she needed . . . another guy liking her.

"Please come . . . Jacy, come over here and sit down." There was a candle lit at a table with a box sitting nearby it. Charlie led her over to it and held out the chair for her. She sat down and Charlie disappeared into the kitchen. She studied the box thinking is this for me and why did Charlie leave without explaining anything to me? What am I suppose to do now?

Meanwhile outside Cody just pulled up, and Tally who was coming out of the store watched as Cody peeked into the window of the Silver Spoon. He had sent Cody an anonymous note earlier today telling him to come to the Silver Spoon around 7.

Cody saw the 'closed sign' on the door of the Silver Spoon which stopped him from entering. A puzzled expression developed on his face, and he decided to peek in the window. Looking through the window he could see Jacy sitting alone at a table. It must have been her that had sent him the note. Jacy's ready to make up. He was so happy that his eyes sparkled and he had a big grin on his face. But then why is there a closed sign on the door. He didn't understand that, so he went to the door and turned the knob. It opened so he went in. He walked over to Jacy and said hello.

Tally was curious as to what would happen but he resisted spying on them and went back to the bordello where he went to work wiping off the bar.

Charlie came out of the kitchen again, and upon seeing Cody he told him to sit now, meaning the chair at Jacy's table. "Your food will be coming right up." He said before disappearing back into the kitchen.

"Is this for me?" She inquired. She was thinking that she was glad that it wasn't Charlie that had invited her.

Cody wasn't sure what to say, but before he could say anything she was eager to see what was in the box. She had always loved surprises and presents and never did have much patiences. She tore off the paper and opened the box to find a 'J' necklace with a note. She read the note, and afterwards she noticed that Cody was looking questionably at her, so she past him the note. Silently he read it to himself.

Aw Jacy tis not good to be mad at your beau. The necklaces were switched. It wasn't his fault, evil was a foot. Just chalk it up to the leprechauns having a wee bit of fun this March.

It was signed 'your Irish friend'.

"Did you do this?" She sternly asked thinking that Cody might have come up with this elaborate scheme just to get her back.

"No! I didn't write this. I got this today, and I was hoping it was from you." He took the note out of his pocket and handed it to Jacy. She scanned the note and then decided that it hadn't been Cody who had planned this. Someone else was messing into her business, and she didn't like it. She didn't like it one bit.

Well, she would have to play along for now. At least until she thought of some other way to get rid of Cody. "Ummm . . . well, I guess it wasn't your fault that I got the wrong necklace. But I wonder what happened?"

"I don't know. It looks like someone was playing a trick on us, a cruel trick at that." Cody suggested. "So does that mean everything's alright?" He smiled at her.

"Well, ummm . . . ummmm . . . well I guess so." She stammered for she was really reluctant to make up with Cody. She wished it was Jimmy sitting across from her.

They ate supper, and she tried to just pretend that all it was, was just two friends having supper.

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1