Octavia Warwick sat in the early light of a spring dawn sipping tea with a pen and parchiment before her composing a letter to her brother.

She was in dire-straights, everything had been going well as to be expected greatly in part to Jack and Lewis, as well as Kate.

Quentin now fourteen too had worked very hard, taking training from Lewis on how to run the pub.

But sadly she thought not without some bitterness she could count their friends on her fingers. The Keenes, Landers, Martins, Dutchers, and the Timberlane brothers, who dispised Whitney for what he was doing to the Warwicks.

She had six months to pay Timberlane or he would take the Inn or the ranch. Either one would be devestating.

She thought about the visit from Seth Martin their was complaints about Quentin and Roland racing their horses up the streets. Seth was concerned without a father Quentin had little or no disapline and Lewis encouraged him.

She had been encouraged by others to marry Kane Timberlane. She liked Kane a lot but she didn't love anyone but Jamie, and she couldn't think of being in his bed with anyone but one of her children. Often Jeremiah who was two years and ahalf.

Kate seemed to be the only one who understood how she could only love Jamie, Kate confided if she lost Jack she would never take another either.

She hoped her brother would help her, her family was wealthy and the amount Whitney demanded was about what they spent annually on their house in London, which they visited during horse show and theater season. It would be not that much for them, and her brother who had been ten when she had left was now 25 a man on his own with his own wealth.

She had written him always, only Jamie hadn't known, it was a secret between herself and Kate. Only secret she had kept from him only because he had insisted they cut all ties from their family. She loved and trusted her brother, and he had never told anyone of the letters either but the vicker who recieved the mail when he was a child, now it went directly to his home on Tarramin Street, a fine adress in Warwickshire.

Octavia wondered as her children awoke and joined her downstairs, if Ethan could send extra money perhaps she would send Quentin to school in England and he could stay with Ethan and his family. It would get him out of Amberly and away from Roland and Lewis, but then when Lewis quit, as he wished to, who would run the pub. She would have to think more on this, but she suggested it.

"Good morning mother," Annabelle said her dark eyes and serious expression focased on Octavia.

"Good morning, Annabelle, good morning Maylissa. Where are your siblings?" Octavia asked, knowing that of course Quentin was at his room he shared with Roland at the Inn. He never came home much any more.

"Delilah is still getting ready and Monique is still in bed, I changed Jeremiah," Maylissa said in her bright and cheerful voice. "As soon as I get something to eat it's off to school for me."

Octavia sighed, Maylissa sorely tried Mr. Haverns patience, she was very bright and outgoing too outgoing for a girl Mr. Havern said several times.

Since Jamie had been gone Octavia attended Quaker meetings so the girls could not be denied school.

"I do not want to go to school and neither does Monique," Annabelle spoke up.

"You are five what do you know," Maylissa sniffed.

"Don't quarrel sissy," Delilah said coming down to breakfast looking as if she were ready to go to a fancy dance.

Maylissa made a face that reminded Octavia so much of her father.

Deliliah on the other hand was feminine and very tidy and a lot like Octavia's sister, except she was going to be a real beauty. Octavia thought proudly. She sighed looking at Maylissa in her too short homespun play dress, braids that had been done up days ago, and her scuffed shoes and stained apron, both knees of her leggings were worn through from playing on the ground with boys at recess.

Her best friends were Todd Landers and Josiah Martin. She used to like Alexander Swensen, but since Neils and Octavia had a falling out over Roland staying at the Inn and having his newspaper press in the back room there. She now said Alexander and Paul Amberly were pigs. Poor Paul cried and cried, Alexander told Delilah he was in love with Lissa and she couldn't do that to him so he kept following the trio around until Lissa allowed Alexander to play with them.

Deliliah on the other hand could not be bothered by boys, she was best friends with Johanna, Kate's daughter, who was sweet and good like Kate, Delilah's other friend was Betsy Coates who couldn't stand Maylissa.

Monique and Annabelle always had to run to see Maylissa and Delilah off, the girls rode to school with Amelia who drove a little cart, then Amelia dropped off the girls and Josiah Martin, went to work at the inn. She had taken over Jenny's job, since Jenny had ran off with some drummer from Boston, leaving Cass Timberlane single and raising a daughter and son on his own.

After lunch Octavia took the younger girls and Jeremiah and go to Kate's as she did each day. Johanna didn't go to school but Octavia helped Kate teach her and five year old Alan.

Octavia knew something wrong when Quentin met her in the kitchen at the Inn. Usually he was out front cleaning the public room with Roscoe or out tending the stable if not in the back room with Roland and that smelly press of his.

"Did you hear what happened mother?" Quentin asked.

"What has happened?" Octavia asked wondering if she could bear any more bad news, she had just came from posting her letter to Ethan.

"Leatha Martin got engaged to Casper Amberly, the wedding is Saturday next, and Roland is upset." Quentin sighed.

"Leatha marrying Casper, that is a shock, I thought Roland was her only suiter," Octavia said.

"Well so did Roland, I don't know what to say, I never had experince in a broken heart or even love," Quentin said, thinking his mothers heart must be badly broken over his father, she sure cried a lot. He got to where he couldn't stand it that is why he moved into the attic suite with Roland.

"He is young, he will find an even better girl, he will get over it." Jack said coming in to start cooking for the day.

"You never had your heart broken?" Quentin asked.

"Yes when I was a bit younger then Roland, but look I found Kate, and who knows what happened to that girl that broke my heart,"

Quentin left to console Roland.

"Why are you doing those dishes?" Jack asked.

"It's just a few from breakfast, David is teething and Terrence told me when he took my horse, poor Naomi is still sleeping." Octavia explained.

"I see, he is the sweetest little boy," Jack laughed, thinking of his own sons and wishing they were a bit sweeter tempered like David. Alan had a bit of a temper and Adam was a tantrum waiting to happen. He hoped with love and disapline they would grow out of it.

The inn was quiet there were only two guests Mr. Parnum, one of Roland's grandfathers coach drivers, and Captain Ferrin, both were out, Parnum making a run to Rivers Edge and Ferrin was in Arcadia tying up some problem with the constable there, both would be back by dusk. Since it was spring there weren't any working men in drinking either.

"Come let us play some chess, take your mind off of that girl." Quentin said, thinking it odd that Roland had not been in working on his press.

"She never even liked Casper," Roland sighed, "Said he was just like his father, a making money on unfortunate servants and people who could not afford to drive to Rivers Edge for goods." Roland sighed.

"Casper is not all that bad," Quentin said, thinking he had made a lot of money racing his fathers stallion against Casper.

Roland sighed, "Where am I to find another girl?"

"There are lots of girls, what about Amelia she is pretty and nice," Quentin whispered.

"She is only 13," Roland said, he had noticed her, those pretty bouncy red curls, and the way she smiled at him.

"So girls mature faster then we do," Quentin said.

Roland nodded, and thought wouldn't his father have a fit him calling on the daughter of servants, he liked Amelia she was sweet and she was honest. He thought of her walking across the lane from the stable to the inn and smiled.

He was grateful to Warren for having the guts to tell him what his sister had done, she had not told Roland she had accepted the ring a month ago. She had even went for a drive and a picnic with him. This was what hurt so bad. She was engaged to Casper and still accepted him as a caller.

A little later Quentin had to leave to serve supper, and Roland went to work on the latest edition of the Amberly Quarterly, which came out 4 times a month. Quentin was glad his talk had been a success. Roland had also asked Jack if he could call on Amelia and had gotten a yes.

Kate might be upset, Octavia thought, but despite his rebellion and his wild racing Roland Swensen was a good young man.

Mr. Parnum the coach driver brought in the post for the Inn, Octavia, and the Amberly Quarterly. He handed it to Quenting and sighed and smiled at tonights dinner,

Quentin passed the mail out and then got a plate made up for Mr. Gaines the clerk who worked at Swensen Coach and Freight company.

"Delicious," Mr. Parnum said his eyes sparkling. Quentin liked the big man, he was always having his horses checked by Terrence and cared for them with a lot more feeling then most drivers did. One reason Terrence said the man had the best times.

"I will tell Jack you like his porkchops," Quentin said smiling.

"All his food is delicious but his porkchops are the best I have ever eaten," Parnum chuckled.

By the time evening came around Roland was in a bad mood again. When Quentin asked him what was wrong he told him to go look at the letter on his desk.

It was a letter from Leatha's aunt Delphine paying for an announcement of Leatha and Caspers wedding in the paper. Quentin cringed. Poor elderly Aunt Delphine who lived miles away in Arcadia probably had no idea Mr. Roland Swensen Esq. proprietor of Amberly Quarterly was the jilted lover of her neice. But Quentin sighed and saw that Roland had set the type for it, the paper was almost ready to go to bed.

Coming out to help Lewis man the bar while Quentin served the rest dinner it did not help him to see his grandfather and Seth Martin at the bar.

"I am so sorry," Seth said, "I knew nothing about this."

Quentin believed him, he looked upset too, and told Oly he didn't want his sister marrying Amberly but what could he do?

"Come home with me and Janette, let your father pound his head, I can not believe he is being so unreasonable," Oly pleaded.

"No grandfather this is my home now," Roland said, he couldn't be angry at these men.

"Calm down then Roland, you don't want her to hear in gossip how angry you are, it is better if she thinks you do not care." Oly sighed.

"He is right," Lewis agreed.

"Yes, someday you will put this behind you how Chester and I did,"

"Yes but grandmother didn't keep her engagement to you from Chester did she?" Roland asked.

"No of course not, and that was very wrong of her," Seth interjected.

"Yes, but Seth nor Warren can control her actions," Oly agreed, and Lewis nodded it was strange what good friends he had become with his father in law and how much he had mellowed.

"I don't blame them, only her, but I do not care she can marry Casper," Roland sighed.

This conversation came to an abrupt in as someone yelled "LIAR!"

Cass Timberland and Robert Hunter, the new foreman at Timberlane lumber were squaring off.

Just as Quentin came out carrying dinner for Captain Ferrin.

Lewis who reminded Quentin as an elderly sunning house cat most of the time suddenly became a tiger and lept around the bar to stand behind Cass, knowing Hunter had probably started it.

"All right gentlemen," Lewis purred, but there was a threat of growl in that purr.

"Hmm you sure your name is Timberlane perchance it might be gelding," Hunter said.

"Get out of here Hunter, you are no longer welcome," Roland snapped.

Hunter looked at the boy, decided Roland looked as if he could single handedly kill him, and decided Kane and Keith Timberlane were probably nearby anyway.

"I think you should leave, you have had a bit too much to drink," Captain Ferrin said almost merrily.

"You will all see, I will be running this place in six months," Hunter said then stalked out. Cass muttered an apology as both Jack and Octavia came out to see what

"What did he mean?" Quentin asked.

"He is just drunk look he dropped this note on the floor," Oly chuckled.

"Mother?" Quentin said, Octavia looked pale.

"Are you all right, want me to drive you home?" Jack asked.

Quentin sighed, he wished someone would tell him what was wrong with his mother.

That drunk had upset her way more then it should have.

"In a bit Jack, we need to talk. Oh Quentin I am fine just a bit tired." Octavia said.

"Can I help in any way?" Quentin asked.

"Yes you can, I need you and Roland to go to Rivers Edge and pick up supplies in a few days." octavia said.

"All right mum," Quentin sighed, maybe if he was older people would take him more serious.

Roland was sipping port and trying not to make a face, the world was getting stranger and stranger, Quentin went out to see Roscoe the one sane person in his life.

"How you doing Roscoe?" Quentin said smiling at his friend.

"Fine," Roscoe said, "I need you to do me a favour."

"Anything I can." Quentin said and then gasped as Roscoe handed him a bunch of money.

"I need you to go to Amberly and purchase Sarena for me, I talked to Octavia, she can work here with my mother and help Amelia with cleaning. We are getting married," Roscoe said.

"But you two are only 14," Quentin said thinking Roscoe had lost his mind too.

"So my blue eyed friend? My mother had me when she was about my age," Roscoe said shrugging.

"Very well then, I need to saddle my horse I can't be gone too long." Quentin sighed.

"Octavia's horse is saddled she asked me to take her home later, you can use her," Roscoe said grinning.

Quentin knew this was coming and he had been dreading the day he would have to deal with Amberly again.

But when Quentin got to the Amberly house, he was surprised to see Casper galloping off on his roan.

"Quentin Warwick, what can I do for you? Paul get back in the house," Amberly was white around the mouth. Paul did as his father said but not with out a tiny cry of protest.

"I want to buy a servant," Quentin said, thinking he had probably almost walked right into a family squabble, Casper looked angry as well.

"Any particular one, girls . . . or boys perhaps," Amberly chuckled.

Quentin didn't know why but the way he laughed and looked at him, like men did Juniper when they brought mares to him.

"You can have any of the young ones on my place if you allow Juniper to sire three foals with my mares," Amberly said, glancing around to make sure Maryetta or Paul weren't lurking around. Maryetta would raise cane about such a deal, and Paul had a big mouth.

"I want umm Sarena," Quentin said smiling slightly.

Amberly grinned, he had liked the look of that girl himself, but she was his daughter he assumed, so he couldn't touch her. He concidered, so far Quentin had refused to allow Casper to bring any mares to Juniper even offering more then Quentin usually asked.

"I want her tonight and you can have your foals," Quentin said.

Amberly laughed and shook Quentin's hand."You are much like your father."

Papers were drawn out and Quentin read it carefully then signed.

Quentin found Sarena and was relieved when he had her back at the Inn.

"You're here, You did it Quentin, you really did it!" Roscoe said relieved, he feared Amberly would say no.

"I need a bath,"Quentin said seeing Sarena and Roscoe hug.

"Any trouble?" Roscoe asked thinking Quentin did not smell or look particularly dirty.

"Thank you so much, oh Roscoe I love you," Sarena said.

"No but Juniper will have to do some work," Quentin sighed, he hadn't wanted to breed to those mares, but he knew how important getting Sarena was to Roscoe.

Quentin went back in to see if Lewis needed help or was ready to go home.

"I am never getting married, or even have a girl," Quentin said to Lewis, the press was banging in the back room, and it made him feel better his friend was back to work.

"I think we all said that, but love is like a snake in the brush, it might jump up and bite you any time," Lewis laughed.

"Do you regret marrying Mrs. Landers?"

"Oh no, not at all she is the perfect wife for me," Lewis said grinning at Captain Ferrin who gave him a little wave, "Be a good lad and close there are only those two men and they look about ready to go.

Quentin watched him follow the captain up the stairs and wondered what Ferrin and Lewis talked so much about.

Quentin closed the pub, locked up the money, and hid the money that Roscoe had given him in a special spot. Then went in the back room, and smiled at the two dogs they kept at the pub to guard it.

"How is the paper coming?" Quentin asked as Sarena and Roscoe came in.

"Done, take a look," Roland said.

Quentin did and smiled as he saw the wedding announcement on the second page, it was very nicely done complete with a woodcut of wedding bells.

Roscoe kissed Sarena.

"That is what I want, a woman that looks at me like she does him," Roland sighed.

"You will," Quentin said smiling, Amelia had a crush on Roland since she was eleven. same as Sarena had for Roscoe. Quentin also knew that his friend was over Leatha.