John Bates's Intro

John was left in an orphan when the Yellow Fever epidemic struck Three Crossings in 1855. Mr. Bernard gave him a scholarship to go to collage. He offered John a job as the ranch's bookkeeper, but John wanted to be a banker when he heard how the death of the banker's wife had affected the banker. However, after John came back to Three Crossings from School, he decided to do the books for the Mon Amor Cattle Ranch for Mr. Bernard after bank hours. Just so that he could start to pay Mr. Bernard back for all his kindness.

When he left, Veronique was but a child. When he came back he saw what a beautiful young lady she had grown into be. He immediately lost his heart to her. He heard how she likes the Indian rider for the Pony Express, so he just wants her to be happy.