AUGUST 23, 1861

Teaspoon and Ike were sitting out in front of the bunkhouse along with Lou and Rachel. "How are you and Jennifer getting along, Ike?" Teaspoon inquired with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Ike nodded and smiled. "I know you've invited her to the square dance social we're having. You know you ought to do something really nice for her to show her how much you love her."

Ike's eyebrows shot up. He wondered what Teaspoon meant by something nice.

"Do you know how to bake a cake?" Ike shook his head. "It sure would be nice for you to surprise her with one this Saturday night. It could have written on it, 'Welcome Jennifer', to welcome her to Dreamville.

Ike signed but I'm no good at baking cakes.

"Hmmm . . . yeah that is a problem." Teaspoon rubbed his chin. "I'd suggest getting Charlie to bake it, but he's on his honeymoon. What about Charity? She's pretty good cook. She might bake you one.

"What about me?" Rachel was appalled that he hadn't suggested her. "Teaspoon Hunter have you been eaten too much in town that you like their food better than mine?"

Teaspoon frowned pretending to be hurt "Why Rachel, you're the best cook in the territory. Besides I thought you would be too busy with all the other fixins you’re making and taking to the dance."

"I think I could squeeze in a cake for Ike. Lou would you give me a hand?" Rachel thought it would get done a whole lot quicker if she had some help.

Teaspoon was surprised that Rachel had asked Lou to help instead of Ike since it was for Ike, but he didn't say anything. But then again he had seen Lou in the kitchen helping Rachel cook more often than he had seen Ike.

"Yeah sure Rachel. I don't mind helping ya especially since I won't be at the social. At least I can contribute in some little way." Lou replied.

"Lou next social, I'll make sure one of the others has to make the run instead of you. You need to be socializing more. We have to find you a gal.

Lou's mouth dropped over, but she quickly closed it.

"Well, Teaspoon, there aren't too many young gals around that aren't already taken or married."

"Yeah and besides I don't know how to square dance." Lou said because she thought she ought to say something.

"Well, we'll just have to change that. Come on Lou,"

"We will?" Lou cleared her throat and spoke it again but deeper this time, "We will?"

Teaspoon stood up and grabbed Lou by the arm and led her down the steps. "Ok, we're going to left allemande and he proceeded to demonstrate some different calls. Then after they had practice a few for a little while, he said, "Now, you take the boys part, and I'll be the girl." Lou's eyebrows shot up, but she didn't protest and they practiced a little bit more.

"Lou, I have to admit, you're better at the girl's part then the boy's part. Well, no matter, I'm going to be talking to Caller Bob about having square dance lessons again real soon cause you, Grace and Jennifer and probably some other newcomers to Dreamville need to learn it." Lou really didn't like that idea much but she kept her mouth shut.

Ike smirked. If only Teaspoon knew how much better Lou was at a girl's part. Lou frowned as she saw Ike grinning.

Rachel saw that Teaspoon was expecting Lou to say something, so she butted in, "Lou could you come help me with supper?" Lou just nodded and followed Rachel to the house.

Teaspoon sat back down after they were gone. "See Ike, I told you I could get a cake for Jennifer's welcome to Dreamville Party."

Ike smirked. He had no doubt that Teaspoon could do whatever he said he could do. Jennifer would be surprised when she saw the cake.