Dear Diary,
We're finally here. Sweetwater, Wyoming. It seems like a nice town. Of course, I didn't get to see much of it because we came straight to the ranch. Mama says its grown a lot since she lived here, but its been twenty-six years, so that is not surprising.

Emma and Sam seem really nice. I can't wait to get to know them better. They are older than Mama and Papa, but I'm not sure how much. Emma is like Mama's sister. She even still calls her Lulabelle! Sam and Emma have two children; their daughter Emmy Lou is married and living in Denver. She has a baby boy that's about a year old. They also have a son named Joseph. He's the same age as James. He still lives here and helps them with the ranch. Right now he's in Cheyenne trying to get a buyer for the cattle.

I miss James so much. I'm so proud of him, and I know he loves his work. But I wish he could be here with us instead of in that law office in Richmond. I'm so thankful for my family. James and Emma and I are so close. We never fight, at least really fight. Emma and I have our quarrels, and James can be an unbearable tease, but I love them so much. A lot of my friends don't get along with their brothers and sisters at all. But I can honestly say that Emma is my best friend.

Well Emma, or I guess I should say Emmy as we've agreed to call her to limit the confusion over having two Emma's, is complaining about the light. So good-bye for now diary, I must sleep.

Rachel

Rachel put the book down and blew out the candle. She heard Emma's soft breathing and knew she was asleep. She lay awake for a while, listening to the silence. Richmond was usually noisy, even at night, so the silence was hard for her to get used to; but she liked it. It would be nice not to have anything to interrupt her sleep. She lay awake for a short time thinking about happy things, but before too long she could no longer keep her eyes open, and soon she was dreaming peacefully.




The next few days were spent getting settled. Kid joined Sam and the ranch hands, Allen and Zack, in getting the cattle ready to send to the buyer. The women cleaned the house thoroughly and unpacked their belongings. Soon, the family was settled, and their lives returned to normal.

Emma spent as much time as possible outside, usually on horseback. Sometimes Rachel went with her, but today she was alone. Some of the Pony Express trails were still recognizable, so she spent a lot of time riding them. Not very many people came to that area, so she could ride faster. Today she had spent the morning inside helping Cassie with the mending, so she was incredibly tired of sitting still. She rode as fast as she could for a while, stopping only when her horse was tired. She led him to a stream so he could drink and decided to go wading. She took off her boots and rolled her pants legs up, thankful that her parents allowed her to wear them when she rode. It was so hard to tuck skirts up enough to wade.

She walked around in the shallow water for a while, enjoying the coolness. She wasn't paying much attention to what was around her. After a few minutes she felt someone watching her and looked up to see a young man sitting on a horse.

"How long have you been here?" she asked indignantly.

"Only a couple minutes. I'm sorry if I startled you," he said, looking at her strangely.

"What?" she asked.

"Have we met before?"

"I don't think so," Emma replied. "My family just moved here. We're living at the Circle Express Ranch."

"You must be one of Kid and Louise's daughters then," he said.

"I'm Emma, and you are?"

"I'm sorry. I'm not being a very good gentleman am I?"

Emma laughed. "That's okay."

"Let's start over shall we?" he dismounted. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Joseph Cain. I believe our parents are going to partners."

Emma held out her hand. "I'm pleased to meet you Mr. Cain. I'm Emma Macloud."

Joseph shook her hand. "Likewise Miss Macloud. Please though, call me Joseph. If we are going to be living next door to each other and our parents are going to work together we don't really have to be so formal."

"That sounds about right, Joseph. Please call me Emmy."

"Emmy?"

"Yes. That way nobody will get me and your mother mixed up."

"I can see how that would happen," he teased, and Emma felt herself blushing.

"How you been home yet?" she asked to change the subject.

"No," he said. "I was just stopping to let my horse drink before I finished the trip. Were you heading home soon, or will I just see you later?"

"Actually, I do need to get back. Mama is expecting me soon."

"Well, may I have the pleasure of your company?"

"That would be nice," she replied.

He waited for her to put her socks and shoes back on and they turned their horses toward the ranch.

"You know," he said as they rode along. "I still think I've met you before."

"I was just thinking that same thing," Emma admitted. "But I don't know where I could have met you though. I've lived in Richmond all my life."

"Well, I was in Virginia a few years ago. Maybe we met at a party or something."

"I doubt it," Emma laughed. "I never really went to any parties. High society, what there is of it in Richmond, isn't exactly my idea of enjoyment."

"Mine either," Joseph admitted. "But I couldn't get out of some invitations. But that still doesn't explain how I know you. Oh well, maybe it will come to me later."

"Maybe," Emma agreed.

They rode in companionable silence for a while. Soon the ranch came into view, and they separated.

"I'm sure I'll see you again soon," Joseph said, taking their horses to the stable.

"Our families are eating dinner together tonight," Emma said. "So I'll see you then." She walked toward her house.

"Hello, Mama," she said going into the kitchen where Louise and Cassie were making a cake for dessert. "I'm back."

"So I see," Louise smiled at her daughter. "Who were you talking to, dear?"

"That was Joseph, Sam and Emma's son. I ran into him by the stream."

"Oh, its good he's home. Emma has really been missing him."

"So, how can I help?"

"I think we've got everything taken care of here. Why don't you go find Rachel? Tell her that dinner should be ready in about an hour."

"All right, Mama. Call us if you need anything."

Emma found Rachel in their room writing in her journal. "Hey, sis," she plopped down on their bed.

"Emmy," Rachel scolded. "You almost made me smear my writing. Watch out."

"Sorry," Emma replied. "Mama said dinner will be ready in an hour."

Rachel just nodded and went back to her writing. Emma paced restlessly around the room for a few minutes, trying to patiently wait for Rachel to finish. Finally though, she couldn't stand it anymore.

"Rachel, are you finished yet?"

Rachel sighed and put the book down. "I guess so. What do you want?"

"Guess who's here."

"I don't know, who?"

"Joseph."

"Sam and Emma's son?"

Emmy nodded. "I met him at the stream."

"What's he like?"

"He's really handsome and he seems nice. He has a good sense of humor. We rode home from the stream together."

"That's nice Emmy."

"You'll meet him at dinner tonight."

Rachel smiled. "I think you have a crush."

Emma threw a pillow at her. "No, silly. I don't even know him. But he does look familiar, so I was hoping you'd be able to help me figure out why."

"Are you sure that's all?" Rachel continued to tease her, only to be rewarded with another whack from the pillow. She grabbed her pillow, and the two girls were soon lost in a pillow fight.

Louise and Cassie looked at each other and laughed. Shrieking and laughing echoed from upstairs.

"Sometimes I think those two will never grow up," Louise shook her head at the noise.

Cassie just laughed at her. "You know if you were up there with them you would be joining in too."

Louise's eyes twinkled with laughter. "I probably would have started it!"

On to Chapter Three