Ethan and Amelia ate breakfast served by Scotty in the dining area and she felt relieved that her stomach didn't bother her this morning. For the past couple of months, she'd felt like she couldn't eat in the mornings. Sometimes she could handle bread and this weak tea that Bella had taught her how to make. She didn't remember how Bella had gotten the recipe but it had done the trick.

"You heading to the school?"

She nodded.

"As soon as I pick up the food from the kitchen."

She had planned to help Claire and the other teacher Ella with the party, setting it up after they'd finished their morning lessons.

"I'll see you later then."

He bent over and kissed her on the mouth as he got up to head to the office. She held one of her hands on his shoulder as they kissed. When they parted, he smiled.

"I can't wait Ethan."

She watched him leave and as usual, she felt a moment when she hoped that he would stay safe. The sense of concern about him because of his lifestyle never completely left her but she'd learned to keep it in perspective. Still she treasured every moment they spent together.

She got up and went to get the refreshments from Mary in the kitchen, and they put them in baskets wrapped up. The aroma smelled delicious.

"I just finished them," Mary said, "Scotty's preparing for the dance tonight."

Most of the town would be attending as it was one of the biggest social events of the year. It gave people a chance to put aside the problems that had hit Paradise including with its businesses for a few hours anyway.

"He saved me some dances," Mary said, "and I'm going to hold him to it."

Amelia smiled remembering how the couple had faced a crisis that she and Ethan had unwittingly discovered after a man had been found brutally murdered between the saloon and Amelia's old house.

Ethan had been the last person to confront the man after he insulted her, throwing him against the wall in public so that many of the town's people believed he'd done the deed. But the reality had been far different and after the truth came out, Ethan and she decided to let it remain a secret. Just one of many hidden in the town's history.

"I made some cider for the children," Mary said, "Actually Scotty did. I can help you take it over."

Amelia smiled.

"Okay, why don't you stay for the party?"

Mary sighed.

"I'd like to but I've got to get ready for the party here," she said, "Rosie and Scarlett and a couple other women are going to help but there's still a lot to do before tonight."

"I'll help you later on if you'd like."

"Amelia, you might want to get some rest between parties," Mary said, "I know what it's like to be expecting and at the end of the day, I felt wiped out."

Amelia could relate to that on most days but she took good care of herself and she had a husband who doted on her, more than she thought he might.

"I'll be fine," she said, "I feel great in fact."

Mary and she picked up the refreshments and left the kitchen to head out to the schoolhouse.


Claire and Ella were at their desks working on lessons while the students filled the building. Ben and George were talking to other students while Emily listened quietly. Claire knew the young girl was mostly shy but so far had been a great student. More students milled into the schoolhouse.

She had stopped by Axelrod and had encountered Charles who was tending the store for his uncle.

"I'll be here for an hour or so after the party," she said, "and help you with the books."

He shook his head.

"No…you deserve to have some time off," he said, "Besides, they'll probably need you to help with it."

She had smiled.

"I'll still have time to do both," she said, "and then maybe you can spend some time at the party."

He had considered it and then nodded. She knew he wanted to go but he didn't want to displease his uncle. He worked so hard to please him even when Axelrod criticized him. After she left the store she had headed to the schoolhouse after seeing Dakota head towards the marshal's office. He smiled at her and she smiled back.

"See you later at the dance…"

She sighed.

"I'm not sure I'm going…"

He smiled wider.

"Oh you should be going," he said, "Have some fun and make some boys happy."

She felt her face flush, wondering why he said that and then she remembered how he thought of her as a little sister.

That would never change. So she just didn't respond to him and went up the stairs to go inside the building.


Ethan saw Dakota look at him as he walked into the office.

"Any new wires…?"

Dakota shook his head. He'd gone to check but nothing had shown up as being sent to them in connection with Buck and his gang. The law had truly lost track of the outlaws and where they might be heading.

Not that Ethan didn't know their destination…Paradise…

Dakota sat on a chair and put his feet up on the desk until Ethan gave him a sharp look. His boots clicked back on the floor after he put them back down.

"Buck and his men are close by," Ethan said, "This is part of their plan to just disappear so they can set up an ambush."

Dakota nodded.

"I think they're probably holed up somewhere just outside of town."

Ethan looked through the stack of old wires that traced the trail blazed by the gang until it went cold.

"That's why we're going to ride some patrols," Ethan said, "Get a couple of the ranchers to help us spot them."

"They have to use one of the main roads," Dakota said, "makes it harder for them to avoid being spotted."

Ethan put the stack of papers down.

"Better head on out then."

They left the office and headed towards their horses to head on out of town to go look for Buck and his men.


Amelia watched as Claire led the children in their lessons. The young woman who'd grown up a lot had a knack for teaching and she had the children's rapt attention when she told them the legend of Valentine's Day. Ella was teaching the younger children some math while Amelia helped set up the table. Emily stood there helping her lay out the refreshments after finishing her school work.

Then Ben wandered over from his desk to help and then George and then more of the children. Math and history lessons not being able to compete with a table filled with desserts and a bowl of cider in their midst.

Claire walked over.

"We're almost ready to start," she said, "We'll have refreshments in here and then we'll start with some games."

Amelia smiled.

"Sounds like a plan," she said, "So did you ever figure out who sent you the Valentine presents?"

Claire shook her head.

"No, but I figure it's either got to be Charles or Lukas…I don't know who else it could be."

"Maybe you'll find out tonight at the party."

Claire paused.

"I'm going there mostly to help Mary and the others," she said, "No one asked me."
Amelia slipped her arm around her shoulder.

"It doesn't matter," she said, "You can still go and have fun without a date."

Claire smiled.

"Maybe I'll do that," she said, "I don't need someone to ask me."

"I went to quite a few parties by myself," Amelia said, "There are always people there who do the same…just enjoy yourself."

Claire went to pour herself a cup of cider as more children began to gather around.


Ethan and Dakota stopped at a ranch waiting for Clancy to saddle up his horse and join them on their scout. So far there'd been no sign of Buck or his gang nor were there any signs that a group of horses had recently traveled down any of the roads. But he knew that they were close by…his instincts honed by years of tracking outlaws taught him that.

"No signs Ethan."

"I know they're here close by. I just hope they didn't slip past us."

"Maybe we'd better head back closer to town."

Ethan looked up and saw Clancy riding towards them.

"We'll try the south side of the valley and then head on back."

The other two nodded and they took off riding.


Amelia looked at the children as they piled their plates high with snacks and drank cups of cider. Claire and Ella manned the tables while she watched. Ben helped Emily with her plate and they both sat down at their desks. Amelia smiled at Claire.

"Ben's sweet on her."

Claire sipped from her cup.

"They're cute together," she said, "and George stopped teasing him."

Suddenly Amelia heard some hoof beats and loud male voices outside. She turned to Claire.

"Looks like some people riding into town."

"Who are they?"

Amelia walked to the window to look outside and her eyes widened as she saw a group of five men getting off their horses packing guns. They scanned the area and Amelia knew they sought out a weakness. A way to seize advantage quickly to launch their plan…then she saw them heading towards their building.

"Quick bolt the door…"

But before Claire could move to do that, they crashed through the door and charged inside the schoolroom.