Walter knew he had to send a letter soon, but this one was the eight one he had crumbled up and thrown in his wastebasket. I�m not good at showing feelings, and I�m not good at writing them down either. What do I do?

Walter got up and started pacing his office. In times like these he wished he had an advisor of the heart. His thoughts were so confusing that he decided that a fresh of breath air might clear his head. He left his office and told Ted that he was going to take an early lunch. It didn�t bother Ted because he was used to Mr. Simmons taking lunches or breaks at any time of the day, after all Mr. Simmons was the boss.

On his way to the hotel Walter saw Melissa peering out of the PEG window, and he waved at her. Melissa smiled and waved back.

Switching his thoughts from the matter at hand, he thought about Jacy and Melissa. They had come to town a month ago. He liked them when he first met them, but he was playing it cautious. He hadn�t told the young girls that their grandpa had left word that they could have access to his account. He was a business man and in matters like this he had to refer to his head and not his heart.

He had a private investigator that he would hire on occasion to check out details about people, places, or things for him, and he was waiting to hear word back from him about the heirs of the PEG. Walter wanted to make sure he didn�t turn over Mr. Hagan�s account to imposters, but he was dearly hoping that the girls were who they claimed to be. But as a businessman you never take anything at face value.

Entering the lobby of the hotel Walter saw no one in the dining room. He had figured as much since it was only 10:30, but he liked the quiet atmosphere. He sat at a table near the front of the hotel so as to look out the window into the street.

Laura came to his table and said, "Hello, Mr. Simmons. What can I do for you?"

Lost in his thoughts Walter had not heard Laura approach nor did he hear her speak, so receiving no response or reaction from Mr. Simmons, Laura cleared her throat. Walter turned his head and smiled at the beautiful Miss Brooks. "I�m sorry did you say something?"

"I was wondering if you would like something or did you just come in to dream out our window?" Laura smirked at her wit.

"I guess I deserved that. Yes, I would like a big piece of pie and a glass of milk, please." Walter wasn�t hungry yet but it would look funny if he just sat there.

"Coming right up, Mr. Simmons." Laura left to fetch his order.

Laura didn�t know Mr. Simmons very well but every time she has seen him, he has been discussing some sort of business venture with someone. I bet he doesn�t have a social life at all. Returning with his order, she wondered if anyone called him by his first name, so far she didn�t know of anyone that did. Laura retreated back into the kitchen because no one else had entered the hotel yet.

Mr. Simmons slowly ate his pie and thought about Melissa. She was a pretty little girl so nice and respectful of her elders. His little girl . . . no he would not go there. He shook his head as though that would make the thoughts go away. He finished up his pie and milk, left his money and tip, folded his arms as he left because of the cold, and as he entered the office he told Ted that he could take his lunch break and take an extra hour.

Surprised Ted just watched as Mr. Simmons closed the door to his office. Ted had never been offered an extra hour for lunch, normally he had a half an hour for lunch. He was equally surprised that Mr. Simmons had shut his door, this was the first time. Mr. Simmons always kept his door open. Ted figured it was because Mr. Simmons wanted to know if anyone was in withdrawing money.

Laura saw Ted enter the hotel. She nodded at him, and he went up to his room, number 3, which is his favorite number. Soon there was a knock on his door. It was Laura with his lunch. She handed it to him, and Ted thanked her, paid her and gave her a dollar tip. She left, and Ted ate his lunch.

Laura went back downstairs. The dining room wasn�t busy today, probably due to the weather. And most of the guests wanted their meals brought to their rooms. About a month ago Laura had started taken Ted his lunch to his room. He used to come in, order his same old lunch, go to his room, and come back 5 minutes later to get his lunch. Then he would take it to his room, so Laura had told him one day that she would just start bringing it to his room. Once the other guest saw Laura bringing Ted his lunch, they started requesting it every now and then, too. She didn�t mind delivering their meals. She usually received a bigger tip when she did.

Laura felt sorry for Ted. It seemed he didn�t have any friends because she never saw him socializing with anyone except Rose. I wonder if he will even make an appearance at the Valentine�s dance. Lost in her thoughts Laura almost ran into Catherine. "Laura, I know were slow today, but if you�re going to daydream then do it sitting down, not walking. It could be dangerous to your health and others.

Laura smiled at her employer, "Yes, ma�am." She took her place in the kitchen to wait for another customer.

Ted shut his book, delivered his tray to Laura and went back to work. As he took his seat he noticed Walter�s door still shut. About 3 p.m. Mr. Simmons came out of his office. Ted saw an envelope in his hand. "Ted let�s call it a day. There�s hardly a soul out in this cold. Go home and relax. I�ll see you in the morning."

Ted collected his things and Walter locked the door behind them. Walter delivered his letter to the post office. Blythe took the envelope and money. After Walter left Blythe noticed the address. All of his other letters that he mailed were just to a man named Mr. Silversteen in San Francisco, CA, but this one was to someone else a Mr. Coalder in Salt Lake City, Utah.

After watching Walter go into the post office Ted continued to walk slowly toward the hotel. Jacy was coming out of the PEG when she saw Ted. She wondered why he didn�t have much of a social life. She�s only seen him with Walter, Teaspoon and Rose. As she watched him coming her way, she thought he looks kind of sad. "Hi Ted," Jacy said loud enough for him to hear her.

Ted looked up and smiled at the young pretty newspaper owner. He liked her. Jacy was always very nice with him when she came to the bank. "Hi, Jacy. How are you this fine cold day?"

"Brrrrrr . . ." Jacy shivered. "I hate the cold. I can�t wait til spring comes. I hope it�s soon, and I hope it�s warm the day and evening of the dance." After mentioning the dance Jacy saw Ted frown. "Is something wrong, Ted?"

When Ted didn�t answer, Jesse prodded, "Don�t you have a date for the dance yet?" Is that why you�re down in the dumps?"

"No, I don�t have a date yet, but that�s not what has me so down." Ted replied.

"Well then what is it? Maybe I can help." Jacy smiled.

"Well, lots of people are donating things for the sales to help the school, and I can�t think of anything to donate. Well, except money, but that seems likes the easy way out to me."

"Well, I don�t know what you have to donate, but I do have an idea for your money that I just know the kids will love, but it doesn�t have to do with book learnin�.

Curious now Ted perked up, "What�s the idea?"

Jacy said, "Come on. I�ll tell you on the way." Ted followed Jacy to the livery stable. Ted was anxious to know the plan. "Does it have to do with the blacksmith?"

"No," Jacy replied and hurried onto the stables with Ted right behind her.

"Then why are we coming here?" Curiosity was definitely getting the better of Ted. What could Jacy be up to?

"We need our horses to take us where we need to go." Jacy replied.

"Wait a minute, we�re going out of town?" Ted inquired.

"Yep!" Jacy said as she saddled Braids. She had rode Melissa to school today telling her that she wanted to go riding today. Actually Jacy wanted to do something for the school. Now she might have somebody to help her out, financially that is.

"Wait Jacy, I think I should tell you something. I don�t own a horse any more. I sold him because I don�t like riding much." Ted explained.

"Oh well, no problem. We can ride double. Braids might be getting old, but she can still carry two of us. Turning to Ted, "Don�t worry, I won�t go fast." Jacy informed him.

"Don�t you have to pick up Melissa from school?" Ted was looking for a way out of riding.

"No, she said she would walk home. It�s not that far, and she didn�t want me to have to keep track of the time while I�m out riding." Jacy replied.

"That was nice of her." Ted followed Jacy out of the barn. He couldn�t think of anyway to get out of the situation, so he would have to go along. He climbed up behind Jacy.

"We will be going slow, so you don�t have to hold onto me, but you can if you want to." Jacy turned around and smiled at Ted. She had noticed how skittish Ted was around Braids when she brought her horse out of the stall. Ted had stayed far away from her horse as though Braids was a plague. Ted smiled at Jacy and lightly put his hand on her waist. True to her word Jacy had Braids walk all the way to their destination while Jacy said everything she could think of to put Ted at ease.

As they stopped in front of the establishment Ted wondered why they were here. Certainly Jacy didn�t plan on giving the school more desks. There wasn�t any more room in the classroom for any more desks or chairs. "Why are we here? I thought you were going to tell me?"

Jacy laid out the plan to Ted, but she did tell him if he didn�t want to contribute to the project that he didn�t have too. But she enjoyed his company on the ride. Jacy grinned at him.

"I love the idea. It�s a great idea! I would love to join you in this project." Ted bashfully dipped his head.

"Great! I like having a partner. I�m just not sure how much it will cost, but there�s one way to find out. Let�s ask." Jacy took the lead into the mill, and Ted was right behind her.

"Hello, is anyone here?" Jacy called out.

Before Jacy could step inside, Joshua and Drucilla came around from the side of the building.

"Hello there." Drucilla said.

"Hello." Joshua echoed.

"Hello." Ted replied.

"Can I help you?" Drucilla inquired.

"Yes ma�am. I�m Jacy Hagan and this is Ted Brown. We�re in need of some lumber and a builder." Jacy replied.

"Well, I can help with the lumber part. I�m not sure about the builder part. So how big is the house we�re talkin� about?" Drucilla asked. She needed to know, so she could figure out how much lumber they would need.

"House!" Jacy and Ted chorused together.

"Isn�t that what you want the lumber and builder for? If you�re not sure how much lumber you�ll need, you can purchase enough to get ya started and then come back for more." Drucilla started walking inside the mill to show them some lumber that had already had been cut into two by fours.

Joshua grinned as he saw the horror on Jacy�s and Ted�s faces because Drucilla thought they were a couple.

�

"You�ve got it all wrong, ma�am. We�re not here to buy lumber for a house!" Jacy exclaimed.

"No!" Drucilla turned around to look at them.

"No!" Jacy said. "We�re here to buy lumber for the school."

"For the school? What do you need lumber for?" Drucilla was puzzled.

"We want to purchase some lumber to make some school equipment for the kids. We need a builder to cut the wood, and to make two swing sets and some see-saws for the kids to play on." Jacy explained.

"Oh, I�m sorry. I just assumed. Please forgive me." As Drucilla said this Jacy and Ted nodded their heads that they had forgiven her for her quick assumption. "Well, lets see, Joshua, how much lumber do you think they will need." Drucilla headed to the lumber pile with the others following. Joshua told them how much lumber he thought they would need for two swing sets with four swings and four see-saws. Joshua also volunteered to make the children�s equipment if Drucilla would let him.

After paying for the lumber Jacy and Ted left. Joshua would keep the lumber and make the see-saws and swings. He would then distribute them to the school as soon as they were done.

Jacy dropped Ted off at the hotel, and Jacy rode Braids over to the livery to put him up. Ted and Jacy had decided not to tell anybody about the school equipment. People would find out soon enough, when Joshua put the pieces in place.