Frustration marred Ike’s face as he searched for the hand signs to convey what he wanted to tell Lou, but they eluded him. With a sigh of exasperation, the mute rider threw up his hands in defeat and turned to walk away, head hung low. Lou’s arm reached out to stop Ike from leaving. “Ike, what are you trying to tell me? Please try again. My reading sign isn’t very good at times…maybe if you go slower?” Lou offered. Ike just shook his head ‘no’ and signed *never mind*. “Ike…” Lou’s tone of voice stopped him in his tracks, making him turn towards her once again. “I can tell you have something important to tell me. If you can’t sign it, why don’t you write it down for me?” Ike’s frown lessened at her suggestion. Motioning for her to sit on the step, he ran into the bunkhouse to grab his notebook and pencil. Lou was sitting on the step as he asked, watching Buck and Jimmy trying to break a new horse Teaspoon had acquired. As Ike sat down next to her, Lou turned to watch him with curiosity, wondering what was so important. Ike scribbled quickly on the blank page, stopping several times to think on how to say what was on his mind. When he finished he handed her the book, waiting for her reply anxiously. Lou took the notebook that Ike offered as started reading what he’d wrote her. There’s a dance in Seneca next Saturday. I thought you might like to go? A small smile played at the corners of Lou’s mouth as she looked at the silent rider. Knowing Ike was shy, she had a hard time not teasing him a little as she asked, “With you?” A blush crept up the man’s neck and into his face as he shook his head ‘yes’ and quickly signed, *with me*. Tilting her head to the side, Lou smiled at him. Laying her hand upon his arm she told him, “Why Ike, I would love to go to the dance with you. I even have the perfect dress in mind to wear.” Ike couldn’t believe that Lou had just accepted his offer. He had thought he hadn’t a chance to take the female rider out, his being ‘different’ and all, but he still wanted to ask about the dance. Puffing his chest up in satisfaction he signed * I will fix it with Teaspoon*. “I look forward to going with you Ike,” Lou mentioned as she rose to go see what Jimmy and Buck were doing as they looked at the horse’s hoofs and began motioning to each other rapidly. Watching the object of his affection head towards the corral, Ike felt his admiration for Lou surge up, proud at himself for finally asking her out. For weeks he had been silently watching her, falling deeper and deeper in love with his fellow rider, not believing he’d ever have a chance at winning her affection in return. As Lou climbed onto the fence, she turned and waved at him with a smile so sweet, it could melt any man’s heart, giving him a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe Lou could feel the same way about him. Drop me a note and let me know what you thought!