Ok kids- thanks for the great reviews, they have encouraged me to continue this. This is chapter two and this story still has no title so please, please, please if you have an idea let me hear it so that I can use it. Thanks!

After Elliot left the general store he walked across the street to see how John was holding up. John was a little older than Elliot but the two had always gotten along well as did their children. "Hello John." Elliot greeted as he strode through the door.

John stood when Elliot came through the door. "Well, Elliot, long time no see."

"Yes, it has been a while. How are Casey and the children?" Elliot asked.

"Fine, fine. Where's Ethan at?"

"I'm suprised you didn't see him running by. As soon as I let him he took off to your house to see Emily and Oliver." Elliot replied.

John grunted, "I've been buried in paperwork since the weekend, it was kind of wild around here you know."

"No I hadn't heard, cowboys in town again already?" Elliot asked, recalling his days as sheriff.

"Oh a few but we have a while before they come in full force. No but old Bill Wallace was in town and he was feeling ornery. I had to lock him up until this morning and then the judge let him loose with a fine."

"Well I certinly don't miss it." Elliot said.

"Well lets have a cup of coffee." John offered.

The men were on their second cup when John's wife and children and Ethan walked in. "Pa, I shared my licorice whip with Emily and Oliver." Ethan said the minute he saw his father setting there.

This caused Elliot to give Ethan a look that instantly quited him and reminded him that children were to be seen and not heard.

"Elliot, how are you?" Casey said, laying a hand on his arm.

"Fine Casey. How are you?"

"I'm doing well. Did John tell you our news?"

"No, what would that be?" Elliot said looking from his friend to and then back to his wife.

"We're expecting another little one this fall."

"Well congratulations." Elliot said. "That's wonderful to hear."

Casey then said to John, "Dear if your going to come home for lunch today it's ready. Elliot, would you and Ethan like to join us?"

"No thank you. We need to be going. I'm hoping that I can get into the field today and get some of the crops planted and then tomorrow Ethan and I have to ride out and check the stock."

"Well is certinly sounds like the two of you stay busy enough." John said, rising.

"Yes, we do. Thanks for the coffee John. If you and Oliver ever come hunting out our way please stop in."

"Thanks we will." John said.

They stepped out on the board walk and Casey took her husband's arm, and ushered her children ahead of them. "It was good to see you Elliot and you too Ethan."

"Yes you two Casey, John, children."

"Bye Emily and Oliver." Ethan said, piping up again after his father had reprimanded him earlier.

The pair made their way back to their wagon and once Elliot had climbed up and took the reins he looked into the store just to see if he saw her. He didn't but that didn't keep him from thinking about her the whole way home. He had had a profound reaction to meeting her that morning, it was the first time since the death of his wife that a woman had stirred his blood and made him take notice. He was also suprised that the first thing he had noticed had been her eyes. They were large and brown and reminded him of a doe deer. Not that he would ever make that comparision to her face but it was still one that he found running through his mind.

"Pa."

"Hmm."

"Ms. Benson sure is nice huh."

"Seems to be."

"Pa."

"Hmm."

"Thanks for the candy."

"Your welcome son. You deserved it, you've been working hard for me since school let out."

"Pa."

"Yes, Ethan."

"When are we going to town again?"

"Why?"

"I don't know. I was just wonderin'." Ethan said.

Olivia had been standing unnoticed around the corner when Elliot and Ethan left that afternoon. She had also seen Elliot looking into the store and wondered if he was looking for her. That's silly. she thought to herself. Why would a handsome man be looking at me? Me, plain Olivia Benson. Olivia almost laughed out loud to herself but didn't feel like explaining to her grandfather why she was suddenly taken with fit of laughter.

"Granddad?" she called, "Lunch is ready."

"Ok. Oh Livie, this looks wonderful. Thank you so much dear." her grandfather said as he came into eat his lunch. He always closed the store for an hour at noon so that he could eat in peace and quiet.

"Your welcome granddad. I know it isn't much but I'm afraid my cooking skills are not up to par with Gram's."

"Livie, dear you did just fine. Your grandmother always said that it was easier to cook for a hardworking man that you love."

"Well I don't expect that will be happening for me anytime soon granddad." Olivia said. She could think of a man though, one with dark hair and deep blue eyes and a little boy who was his minuture.