Chapter Two

A/N There are three towns mentioned in this chapter. Only Blythe Junction was real; the other two are made up. If any such towns exist in California-or have existed-it's pure coincidence.

Previously:

For his part, Nick stood by the window looking out on the darkening street. After a few minutes, he walked over to the desk that sat in the room, pulled the chair away and -after removing the paper the café had put in the desk-he picked up the small pencil that lay towards the back of the desk and began to write to Jarrod. After all, if he and Elizabeth were going to 'cross over', he had to make sure Tabitha could continue living at the school for the deaf for as long as she needed too.

Morning came early. Nick and Elizabeth wasted no time in making sure the Widow Tinsdale was on the coach that had arrived in Blythe Junction that morning, though they felt bad that it would be the last time they'd be able to visit her. Well, the chances were very high it would be. "You take care of that bride of yours, and yourself." The widow was simply beaming from ear to ear as Nick shut the door to the coach.

To be polite, Nick and Elizabeth smiled and thanked her. "You just make sure you do the same, take care of yourself that is." Nick said as he stepped away from the coach and watched as it pulled away from the store. Only when it disappeared out of site did Elizabeth ask where they would be going next…they tossed a few ideas around when they first awoke only the need to get their friend on the coach had hampered any solid decision.

"I have a friend that works for a stagecoach company." Nick sighed as he took a hold of Elizabeth's hand, mostly for the sake of the people who happened to be in a position to see them. "He owes me big time, and he's reminded me of that more than once. It will take a while for this letter to get to my family." He tapped on his leather vest. "Before I talk to him, I'll send the letter that's in here to Stockton-to Jarrod." They started walking past the few buildings in the small town.

Elizabeth caught on quickly. "You think your friend will stage an accident for us?" She whispered only to pause when they drew near a couple. However, the moment the man and woman passed them-and were far enough not to hear a whisper, she added, "He might be able to provide an 'accident', but what about corpses?"

"He won't need any." Nick replied, and then told her he'd explain everything after he bought a couple of horses and a surrey-if the livery stable had one-or knew of someone who did. "After we buy those items, along with a few other things, my pocketbook might be close to being broke only we have to stay away from any trains. Besides, once we're in *Hildale, I can wire the bank in Stockton for more money." He also added, if she had a better idea than the one he'd come up with, he'd listen. "As it is, once I talk to my friend, he and I will be sending two telegrams to Stockton. I just hope my family gets my telegram before they learn of the second one I'm having my friend send." It was a desire that Nick had no way of knowing would be granted.

Elizabeth might have said something only Nick had opened the livery stable door, and they were now standing inside. With the few stalls and a loft, the place didn't look any different than many stables either one of them had been in before. Though, it did seem to have more window than necessary-there were two on the north and south side of the building, along with one on the west.

A large, burly chested gentleman with whitish hair who stood a good six feet tall stepped out of one of the stalls; he wore a dark blue shirt and faded pants. The dark brown boots were also beginning to show how used they had been. "May I help you?" The smile on the man's face was genuine and the aura about him was friendly.

"My wife and I were hoping to buy a couple horses and a surrey, or at least a small buggy." Nick replied, even as he tried to hide how awkward he felt saying 'my wife' to the stranger.

The gentleman, one Vern Kleinman, wanted to chuckle. He had been around the block more than once; been married twice, and he'd seen plenty. While there was no way for him to know all the details, he pretty much figured out he had a newly married couple in his stable. "You're in luck. I have the very items you're looking for. If you and your Missus will follow me, I'll show you the horses. The surrey is behind the stable. We can look at it after you see the animals. They're not young, but they aren't so old that they can't do the job either."

Nick and Elizabeth followed the gentleman to the stalls. Both animals he showed them were healthy and tall; Nick could see clearly. "We'll take them. How much?" He pulled out his wallet and looked at Mr. Kleinman.

After realizing how much money the man in front of him had, Mr. Kleinman was tempted for a split second to charge more than necessary. However, he quickly shook that thought out of his mind. He'd never cheated a man in his life, and he wasn't about to start now. *"A hundred dollars for the two of them. As I just said, neither of them is young."

Nick handed him the money and then asked to see the surrey. It wasn't long before he'd handed Mr. Kleinman another thirty dollars. After the gentleman had helped hitch the horses to the surrey, Mr. Kleinman disappeared back into the stable. For Nick's and Elizabeth's part, they wasted no time in buying a few items at the small store, retrieving their things from the café and putting everything into the back of the newly purchased surrey. Soon they were driving out of town with one goal in mind….mail the letter in *Hildale and then get to *Silver Springs where Nick would contact the stagecoach driver who owed him a favor.

A/N I have no clue to what horses cost back then only I know a hundred dollars, in a small town back then, was a lot of money.