Cody returned the next morning tired but also glad to be home. I offered to tend to his horse and he thanked me with a little kiss. Bye the time I caught up to him in *the* bunkhouse he was sound asleep. I smiled at the sight of his boots still on his feet, and slipped them off as gently as I could.

A few hours later a much cleaner and brighter-eyed Cody approached me as I attempted to re-shod Penny.

"Sorry I wasn't much conpany when I first got home," he apologized. "I meant to stay awake 'til you got back."

"That's alright," I shrugged. "I'll think of a way that you can make it up to me."

He nodded, "I still owe you that picnic. Do you have any plans for Sunday?"

"Well, I think I can squeeze you in between the theatre and the symphony," I teased.

"I didn't realize I was courting such a high-falutin' woman," he quipped.

"I'll take care of everything, you just be ready by noon."

"Yes, sir," I saluted him.

I was ready on *Sunday* promptly at noon. Emma had seen that all of us attend church that morning, but we were home in plenty of time. To my chagrin, I had *nothing* appropriate to wear on a picnic besides my boy's clothes. At last I tied back the front sections of my hair with a piece of twine.

Cody noticed the change, "I like your hair like that. Looks like you're ready to go."

"I am," I answered. "You lead the way." I was actually getting somewhat nervous about our first planned outing. It was the first thing we'd done as a couple and I wasn't sure how to act. We were in the wagon and a good ways down the road before either of us spoke.

"I hope you like the lunch Emma and I put together," said Cody. "We put in some cold fried chicken, potato salad, apples, and she even made some brownies especially for us."

"Sounds nice," I smiled. "Everything I like."

"Uh, Lou?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you-are you angry with me about something?"

I let out a laugh in surprise, "No, what would make you say such a thing?"

"You've just been awful quiet is all," he explained.

"I'm just a little nervous," I confessed. "This is only the second time I've been courted, you know. I don't know what to talk about."

"Well, don't worry," he chuckled. "I'm sure we'll think of some interesting topics. There's still a lot I don't know about you."

"Like what?" I asked. He knew so many intimate details already that I couldn't think of what he didn't know.

"Like what your favorite color is," he grinned.

"Pink," I answered. "My first real nice dress was pink and I loved it. My school dress was brown and when I wore it everything about me was brown-hair, eyes, dress-ugh!"

"Well see, I didn't know that about you. It might come in handy if I ever need to do some shopping."

"I don't think you're gonna find any pink serge shirts," I teased.

In another ten minutes we were at Cody's perfect picnic site. And perfect was the only way to describe it. A grassy spot near a *crystal* clear pond with a few wildflowers starting to dot the fields.

"Oh Cody, it's beautiful!" I exclaimed. "This was worth the wait."

"I'm glad you like it," he said, helping me down from the wagon.

Cody had thought of everything. Along with a heaping basket of food was a blanket for us to sit on, and two bottles of sasaparilla. When I complimented him he admitted that Emma had helped him in his endeavor.

"I don't mind. You were the one who came up with the idea and found *this* place," I said lightly.

Cody's face brightened. "That's true. I guess I can take some of the credit. Lou-I mean-Louise, have you thought about the future much?"

"The what?" I choked as a pice of brownie went down the wrong pipe. Cody pat me gently on the back but I shooed him away. "This-this ain't a marriage proposal, is it?"

"No," he laughed, sounding a little relieved. "I meant have you thought about what you want to do after the Pony Express. With the telegraph expanding, we're not gonna last forever."

"It's funny. I've lived most of my life looking *for* what was around the corner. I was always hoping for something better," I reflected. "Guess the Pony Express is the best thing to happen to me ,'cause I've quit looking to what's around the bend."

"It's been one of the best things that's happened to me, too," he grinned, pulling me close. "But I can't help thinking about what might be next."

"What do you think about?"

"Well, I would like to have a family someday. I'd like a whole passel of kids. When the war comes I'll probably do something for the Union-maybe scouting. But what I'd really like to do some day is entertain folks-show them the West.

"How would you do that?" I wondered.

He giggled, "I'm not quite sure yet. I might not have a plan, but I do have an idea."

"I think it's a real interesting idea, Cody." I complimented him. "I would never have thought of that. And you're very good at entertaining people."

A glimmer appeared in Cody's eyes. He leaned forward and kissed me with an intensity that I had not experienced before. I was just starting to melt into his kiss when there was a sudden *splash*, followed by a gasp of horror. Quickly we jumped away from each other. On the bank of the pond stood a young boy, perhaps 7 or 8.

"My puppy just jumped into the pond!" he wailed. "He's never swum before. Please mister, can you save him?"

We looked to see the puppy who was in the middle of the pond by now, looking cold, scared and confused. He was paddling to stay afloat but wasn't sure how to get himself back to land. Cody didn't have to think twice. He pulled off his boots and dove into the cold water. Gently he nudged the little brown pup to swim in his owner's direction. Once they reached the bank Cody *school -?* up the puppy and was rewarded with kisses from a small, wet tongue.

He handed the puppy to the boy, "You best take him on home and get him warm."

"Thank you, mister," the boy choked, wiping away tears. "I was so worried about Charlie-and I don't know how to swim. Thank you for saving his life."

"Don't mention it," he shrugged. "But when the weather gets warmer you and Charlie come by the Pony Express station and I'll give you both swimming lessons." The lad waved in response.

"Charlie's not the only one who needs to sit by a warm fire," I mentioned, noticing Cody was beginning to shiver. Ever since that Christmas when he had come home half-frozen, I worried about his exposure to the cold. "You need to get out of those wet clothes."

"Lou, what would I wear on the ride back?"

I picked up the blanket we had been sitting on, "This should do."

"Please tell me you're joking."

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Do you know how hard everyone is going to laugh when I come back wearing only a blanket to cover what the good Lord has given me?"

"Do you know how hard everyone is going to cry if the good Lord takes you away because you froze to death?"

Cody threw up his hands in defeat. He headed for the privacy of some bushes to peel off his wet clothes. When he emerged wearing only the blanket I had to bite the insides of my cheeks to keep a straight face. He really did look pretty funny. I had to drive the wagon back home because Cody needed both hands to keep the blanket in place. Unfortuantely for us, almost as soon as we were in the wagon we saw signs that a storm was approaching. While the rain held off, the temperature dropped sharply. Since the day had started out pleasant I wasn't warmly dressed myself. I was more concerned with Cody who's hair was still wet. I didn't want him to take a chill, so I pushed the horses a little harder.

"We'll be home soon", I assured him. "Just 20 minutes or so. Does it seem like we always get caught in storms?"

He chuckled in response, "Yeah, maybe we should stick to the indoors from now on."

Much to Cody's relief, only Teaspoon, Emma and Buck were outside when we arrived. At first Buck was smiling at Cody's appearance but the smile soon faded when he saw that Cody's lips were beginning to turn blue.

Emma didn't bat an eye," Buck, get Cody some dry clothes please. Teaspoon, get these two by the fire-in my house. And put the kettle on, too."

No sooner than we were in the door, the sky opened up with thunder and lightening. Emma had me sit in her rocker near the fire and wrapped an afgahn around my shoulders. While Cody was changing in the other room, Emma asked me what happened. I explained about the puppy rescue with pride.

When Cody appeared in the room Emma put her arm around him and gently led him to the fire.

"Lou told me what happened at the pond. You have a kind heart, Cody. Does me proud."

"Can I do anything else?" asked Buck. He had heard the whole story.

"Yes. Please don't tell the others I had to ride back with just a blanket for cover. I'd never hear the end of it," Cody implored him.

"Don't worry, I won't," he promised. "But I'll remember this when I need a favor from you, Cody."

On to Chapter 6!