The weekend was upon Hope Valley! School was out, ranchers were looking after their spring babies, the farmers were tending their fields. Planting season had already begun, but now having the children home provided the fathers some much needed time to tend to the maintenance of their homes and machinery. Children were playing hopscotch, jumping rope, playing catch, and catching frogs at the pond.

The town was bustling too. Lee and Bill were busy making plans for the saloon. The town council had approved their new entertainment idea and it was full steam ahead.

Of course, Rosemary was all excited about the new plans. She was already dreaming and sketching how she wanted the saloon to look like. They were wanting to get rid of the name "Queen of Hearts Saloon", but not knowing what to call it.

Rosemary offered, "I think both of you should have your names in, so let's combine Bill and Lee. Maybe, Bill and Lee's Place? No, that's boring!" Then she had her light bulb moment, "Let's do a play on your names – how about Billees?"

"Not bad" Lee nodded.

"Clever, Rosemary!" Bill agreed.

"Then Billees it is" declared Rosemary. It didn't take her long to put an article in The Valley Voice with the headline, "Billees takes center stage!"

The men talked about all the logistics of how to make Billees a family friendly gathering spot. They would have to hire an assistant manager, a cook, a waitress and arrange for entertainment for Saturday nights. No Ravenous Roxy, instead some good local entertainment. There was still Bill and Nathan and, hopefully soon Dr. Carson would join them, who all could strum some rousing songs, a few others in town who played instruments, of course Rosemary would be thrilled to do some dramatic readings and direct some plays, and Angela Canfield, without a doubt, could play the piano with her exceptional talent.

"I'll be happy to ask for volunteers, no wait better yet, we'll have a talent contest!" Rosemary bubbled over with excitement. Yes, that's just what I'll put in the paper!"

Lee knew this was his signal to get the plans drawn up for the stage. The two men put their heads together and designed a floor plan.

"I'll get the lumber, so we can start next week," Lee offered. "I've got some men who I can pay to help get this stage up in no time."

"I want to pretty up this place" Rosemary chimed in. "It's too drab, I think we need some bright colored curtains with matching table cloths and vases with matching ribbons with fresh flowers! I'll ask Flo to gather a sewing circle" and off she went bustling out the door.

Lee chuckled, "Life is never dull with my wife!"

Bill agreed, "She definitely can light up a room. I love her enthusiasm!"

"I love her" Lee smiled.

As the men mulled over who might they be able to hire as an assistant manager since they both had jobs already, Hickam and Jesse's names came up, but they both had jobs too. However, they were both reliable and it would only be temporary until they found someone, so Lee planned on talking with Jesse and Hickam that weekend.

"Now, food." Bill piped up. Aren't we going to offer food? How will I run Abigail's cafe and this place at the same time? I'd have to give up Abigail's on the weekends for sure. Maybe Minnie would like to take it over, at least for now. I'll talk to her and see if she is interested or we'll just have to close Abigail's on Friday and Saturdays. I know Clare and Fiona will be continuing to help her, so now I have to find others to help here..."

"I think we can change our way of serving here" Lee suggested. "Why don't we replace the bar with a type of buffet? We wouldn't need waitresses, but instead help to keep the food dished out, dishes cleared off, and washing and drying of the dirty dishes, pots and pans. I bet we could get some of the older boys and girls who just graduated school, to do this, especially if they got paid."

"This sounds like it's coming together! I counting on Billees being a great place for everyone here in Hope Valley!" and with that Bill and Lee clanked their coffee cups, "To Billees!" they laughed.

Rosemary wasted no time. After speaking with Flo and checking off her list of a sewing circle. She left the Mercantile practically bumping into Nathan head first. She went right to work on "The Valley Voice" to get the news out after Church Sunday and cheerfully sang a song as she typed.

Meanwhile at the Mercantile, Nathan sent out a telegram to his mother letting her know about his plans to bring Allie up for a visit. He asked when might be a good time and being the sweet son he is, signed it 'Love,Nathan'.

Sunday was also a lovely day. Robins were singing. There was a gentle breeze coming through the windows of the church. Pastor Canfield prayed for good weather for the crops and thanked God that some unsavory characters had left their little town. His sermon was about forgiveness and Nathan shifted in his seat as he watched Elizabeth with LJ. He knew in his heart that he needed to let go of the bitterness he felt, but seeing her made it very difficult.

Elizabeth too was squirming and pretended LJ was the reason. She had sat in the back as she didn't want the town folk pitying her or angry with her. When they all stood and recited the Our Father, Elizabeth was thinking of Lucas and Nathan was thinking of Elizabeth, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass us." One day at a time they both thought.