Chance had know he would not get to meet Grey Alone that would have been impossible as they watched as passengers disembarked he kept and eye out looking for a medium useful sort of woman. Randa too was on the look out as she stood next to Chance admiring his strong jaw. She walked over to the little grey mare and reached out a gloved hand to stroke her. The little mare stomped a foot and pinned her ears back and nipped at the blacked gloved hand. Randa jerked her hand back. My she is ill tempered isn't she. No not in the least she is gentle with gentle people. Grey stepped off the step and looking both ways she saw a group of folks a bit down the platform a striking looking woman in green standing next to a tall dark haired man and a older gentleman with grey hair . She walked up to Hank Davis and said Hello are you Mr. Chance Davis. Well you got part of it right young lady Hank said with a smile. I am Hank Davis this here is my wife Clara . Grey looked at the older woman she had a smile on her face with a twinkle in her eyes. You are looking for our son Clara said he is right here and clara gestured toward Chance. Randa stood quietly taking in Grey's small neat person she noticed the shadows under her eyes and the fact that the girl wore no make up at all. Randa noted the freshness of her skin and even though her dress was not eleborate it suited her down to the ground. Grey looked up to Chance and saw the dark brown eyes and her mouth quivered at her mistake, I am sorry Mr. Davis SR i see i was mistaken, Just then the conductor walked up Mam Here is your um Chickens, Grey turned to take the cage looking at each of the hens, forgetting herself for a moment she said Oh they are just fine I am so glad to see them! This was just too much for Randa She touched Chance's arm and sneered She has Chicken's for a dowry how quaint. Grey who had been with folks who were plain spoken promptly replied Oh no they were a gift from my Uncle are they not lovely. Chance stepped forward yes they are right Nice let me take them for you my rig is right here. So he turned away with the hens and Grey watched the tall broad shouldered cowboy as he placed her hens and her bag in the back of the wagon. Randa spoke again. My where is your luggage surely you have more. Grey looked at the other girl. No that is it I have plenty Grey stood a moment then turned her eyes on the Horse who was hitched to the small buggy. Oh you are a beauty aren't you ? The Gray mare snuffled and reached her nose out for a pat. She stroked the mares velvety nose . She is right friendly Chance stated with a smile toward Miranda. Well Chance said Miss Hollister may I help you up? Yes Thank you once she was settled on the wagon Ma Pa we will meet you at the house i am going show Miss Hollister around and take her Hens to my barn, Well Do not tarry son I am sure Miss Hollister could use a cup of tea or Coffee. I would love a cup of coffee mam that would be nice. With that Chance shook the reins and drove the buggy off. He showed her the main streets where the shops were the small libary the sherriff's office Then they went past a small church they rode slowly and in silence. Miss Hollister I know I asked if you would want to marry straight away but that was before my mother had Randa come out. Grey felt her stomach sink Of course he would prefer the other girl why did he not tell me straight away so i could get another train ticket. Well Chance broke into the tumbling thoughts If you would not mind I would like to know you better and all. Ma and Pa have plenty of room even with Randa staying for a bit, What do you say? Of Course Mr. Davis If you have changed your mind please just tell me now and i will be on my way. I just want to slow it down a bit. He stopped the buggy and took her hand. Trust me Miss Hollister you can you know. Alright Mr. Davis we shall do as you suggest Chance smiled at her the first real smile and it was as warm and being in the Sun. On thing we have got to get on to a first name basis every time you call me Mr. Davis I want to look for Pa. what do you think ? Grey nodded her head I think that is just fine , they drove to his place and it was as he stated in his letter a small neat house with a porch and a barn with a pasture and a corral and on one side of the barn was a chicken coop. Come on Grey lets get these Ladies in there new home. They freed the chickens from the cage and into the coop and the hens ran and scratched the ground shaking there feathers They look happy enough, What do you say Grey shall I take you to ma and pa I bet my ma is just itching to talk to you. Oh no really Grey said out loud . She is harmless she is a little on the nosy side but she means well, I have a suggestion Chance said taking her elbow i will bring you back tommorrow for a picnic and then you can look around the place. That sounds like a good plan Chance I would like that. Pulling the buggy up to Chances folks home Grey had been delighted when Chance allowed her to drive the mare they had jogged slowly the little mare was responsive and Grey had enjoyed the sense of freedom driving had given her. She Stepped down and went and patted the horse . You did just fine Grey you will be a hand in no time at all. He hitched the mare and Grey looked up at him. Should you put her away first ? Well i wasn't going send you in on your own. Well lets both go put her away and then go in. They walked in to his parent house and found Randa sitting at the kitchen table his father was sitting in his rocking chair his mother was Putting the kettle on, There you are son yall had a nice ride about? yea ma we did and Grey's chickens are nicely tucked into my coop. He pulled a chair out for Grey and then added more tea to Randa's cup before getting he and Grey a cup for coffee. He pushed the sugar and milk in Grey's direction. Now how did you know i took milk and cream in my coffee she asked him as she stirred her cup with a slight smile. A little bird told me. Oh Grey smiled even bigger a bird named Lilly no doubt, yes that would right. The coffee is right good mam , Now Child you just call me Clara and I am going to call you Grey i don't think we introduced you to my niece Miranda randa for short. Randa did not offer a hand but nodded her head in a regal way. So Grey Hank davis said smiling what did you think of Chance's place. Well I just saw the outside the barn and the chicken coop but it was peaceful. We are going back tommorrow for a picnic. Oh that will be nice clara intterupted I can do you up a hamper some chicken and sandwiches , Well i think you should have a chaparone so I would offer my services Randa all but purred when she said it. Grey may not have hqe much experience with courting but she Smiled and said well Miss Clara you and Mr, Hank should come to thus she defeated Randa at her own game. Randa had thought she could show herself to a better advantage next to the country mouse and now she would have to compete with his parents too. Clara was watching the emotions play over her nieces face, Well Grey would you like to go to your room and freshen up before supper? Why yes that would be fine. Once in the bedroom Grey sat at the looking glass mirror she splashed some water on her face dried her face, brushing her hair she thought about the man downstairs and about the beautiful Randa she wondered what had happened between them.