NOVEMBER 22, 1861

As Jacy, Jewel, Melissa, Jaslyne, Samantha. Desiree, Marta and Devany, prepared the meal for everyone who were attending the Thanksgiving supper, Jedidiah, Joshua, Thaddeus and Caller Bob saw to the seating arrangements.

As everyone found their seats, the lanterns were dimmed, and surprisingly to most people a show began.

The Lipizzan horses that came into the arena with a lively gait stunned everyone. There were two mares and two stallions. The riders were four gentlemen that had brought the horses from the east to Dreamville. They were hired by Jedidiah to see that the animals would make it safely to his home.

Children ooohed and aaahed over the fabulous beasts that pranced around the arena. Even the ladies and men were awe-stricken. They had never seen such horses before. Jedidiah walked into the arena and said, "Welcome Men, Ladies, Children. I'm Jedidiah Davis your host for this evening. The horses you have just seen are Lipizzan horses. During the period of 1807 to 1856 seven Arab stallions were used to develop this breed. My horses are from the Favory and the Pluto stallion lines."

"I have acquired two males and four females, two of these mares will soon be having foals. I intend to raise and sell them. I know it will take many years for my ranch to become a Lipizzan horse breeding ranch, but with dedication and patience, which I both have enormous amount of, I think this will become a very profitable undertaking."

"Now everybody sit back and relax, enjoy the show and the wonderful Thanksgiving feast that our charming ladies have prepared for you."

All the ladies that had been slaving in the kitchen, started going down the isles with the food and distributing portions of it onto the plates. The people sitting in the stands starting eating their food and watching the Lipizzan horses move about in the arena.

Joshua could plainly see that the horses weren't but 16 hands tall, but their muscular bodies, proud bearing and powerful movements make them appear to be larger than they really were. Their incredible power and grace they displayed as they left the ground was remarkable.

Joshua and Thaddeus both enjoyed the show. And as the fellas left that evening, Joshua couldn't believe his eyes. There was Jess. Right there, it was amazing. His pace quickens, and he grabs her by the arm. She turns and is about to scream when Joshua speaks, "Jess, it's me Joshua."

"I beg your pardon. I don't know any Joshua, and my name is Jewel. Now let go of me." She pulled her arm away from him. Another man came striding up with a big smile on his face.

"Jess, I can't believe it."

"Well, don't. It's not her Thaddeus."

"It's not?" Bewildered Thaddeus watched as Jewel's twin sister joined her. "Who? Wow! They look so much like Jess."

"But they're not." It was uncanny to Joshua how these two sisters looked much like his Jess. "I'm sorry ma'am, I thought you were somebody else."

"Obviously I'm not who you thought I was." Jewel was disgusted by his uncouth mannerisms.

"Hey Jacy, Jewel, I see you've met Thaddeus and Joshua." Jedidiah smiled as he joined the four of them.

"We have not been properly introduced. This one grabbed me – my arm that is."

"Oh!" Jedidiah wasn't sure what was going on. Joshua realized that and explained what had happened. "Oh, it was just a little mistake, Jewel." Jewel nodded. She would forgive the man for his rudeness this time.

"Joshua, Thaddeus, come on up to the house and I'll pay you for those turkeys you brought me. Jacy, Jewel, Aaron and Brandon are going to make sure you all get home all right. I'm going to make sure Samantha, Marta, Jennie and Devany get to town all right. Come on fellas, and I'll pay you." They followed him up to the house and got paid for the eight turkeys they had gave him. They split the money and then followed Jedidiah and the four girls to town.

*****

Jemima bounced up and down waiting for her mother and sister. "Can we go yet?"

Destiny smiled. "We're ready now. Calm down Jemima. I know you're in a hurry to get there."

Sean smiled as he helped all the women into the wagon. Then he climbed in himself and headed for Jedidiah's place.

After several hours Jemima was still excited about being there. Her, Brianna and Ana were surprised by the show. They hadn’t known that there was going to be entertainment. They clapped all through the show, and when it was over, they wished there was more. The girls chattered on and on about the show until they fell asleep on the way home.