Kate's prediction of being "yesterday's news" seemed to be a reality by Monday morning. No one had time to make a fuss over the big city reporter. The Bolts and their loggers returned to Bridal Veil Mountain at dawn to begin work on the army's order. Aaron Stempel and his men settled into what would prove to be many long days of trying to keep up with the load of lumber Jason sent down to the mill. Clancey and his crew sailed off for a run to Vancouver. The children went back to school and the brides returned to their weekly routines.

       Kate Macready had her work cut out for her too. The town council would be meeting at the end of the month. She had three weeks to come up with a report solid enough to convince the council members that a Seattle newspaper was a feasible idea. Once she had their approval, the real work would begin - producing a first edition and finding a replacement for herself when the time came for her to return to Chicago.

       During Sunday's buggy ride, Aaron Stempel had given Kate names and addresses of shops in nearby towns that carried the equipment she would need. The businessman wanted to do more for her, but as a member of the town council he would have to at least appear objective about the project when it came time for a vote.

       Kate's first stop that morning was Ben Perkins' store. She was anxious to see if Dan had sent her a telegram; he had.

       "Thank-you Mr. Perkins," Kate mumbled on her way out.

        Tears of frustration blurred her eyesight as she thought of how many hopes she had pinned on that article. She could have used it to further her career, to gain more respect for her work and prove that a woman could do a better than decent job of reporting the news. Now, another editor had squashed her plans because of his prejudice. Prejudice. How she hated that word!

       The girl was so consumed by her thoughts that she ran straight into Biddie Cloom and Candy who were on their way to Ben's.

       "Oh my gracious," Biddie dropped her purse. Kate scrambled to pick it up for her as she attempted to hide her disappointment.

       "I'm so sorry, Biddie." Kate stammered, "I wasn't paying attention."

       Biddie waved away the inconvenience as Kate vigorously brushed traces of dried mud from the small bag.

       "That's all right, Katie. My goodness! I've been distracted myself at times, haven't I Candy?"

       Candy feigned surprise, "You, Biddie, distracted? Why, I can't remember a time."

       "Oh, you," the dark haired young lady laughed.

       "Good morning, Katie." Candy greeted her.

       "Hello, Candy. Are you ladies very busy today?"

       "Well, we are but we'll be free this evening."

       " Perfect! Would you mind if I interviewed you both for my article? I was hoping to wait until after this week to get started, but it's become very important for me to finish as soon as I can."

       "Of course," Biddie replied. "I would love to tell you anything you want to know about the girls and our life in Seattle. I've always enjoyed writing, isn't that right, Candy? If you need someone to scare up stories, I'm sure I could do a very thorough job for you. My Aunt Irene always said I had a nose for news!"

       Katie was bewildered by the young woman's enthusiasm. Candy grinned.

       "Biddie, would make an excellent reporter, Katie. Nothing happens in Seattle that she doesn't know about."

       "I'll keep that in mind. See you about 7:00 then? Be sure to have plenty of your best accounts ready for me, Biddie. I'd like to get a lot accomplished this evening."

        "With the men gone for the week, it will be very quiet in the dormitory. No one will disturb us." Candy assured her.

        Biddie sighed, "It's very quiet for me, no matter what week it is."

       "Oh, Biddie!" Candy gave her a gentle push toward the store. "We'll see you later, Katie."

       Kate looked over her schedule for the week: Monday, Auburn; Tuesday, Tacoma; Wednesday, Everett; Thursday, Shelbyville. If she left early enough she could make those cities by noon each day, find the shops Aaron had suggested, gather her information and be home in time to interview the brides in the evening. On the weekends, Kate planned to travel to more distant cities. It was a demanding schedule, but if she were very busy there'd be no time in her life for remembering a lost byline.

       All she needed now was a map and a means of transportation. Kate asked the Reverend who was out fixing a broken rain gutter, if Seattle had a livery stable. The kind man chuckled at the thought. He allowed her to borrow his horse and buggy for a few days.

       "You aren't planning to travel alone are you, Miss Macready?"

       She smiled, "I'll be covering so much ground in one day, I just couldn't ask anyone to tag along. Besides, the time alone will give me a chance to think."

       "Just don't get lost along the way," he cautioned.

       "Reverend, once I travel these roads again I won't get lost. Father and I crossed them so often when we lived here."

       "If you're determined, I can only wish you a pleasant journey."

       Kate thanked the minister, assuring him once again that she would be fine. She found his horse stabled behind his home a little ways up the trail behind the church.

       As she hitched the animal to the rig, Kate saw two young boys no more than four or five, sailing sticks down a thin stream etched into the middle of the road. The younger of the two reminded Kate of Jeremy when he was small, and the other was the son of Chinese parents. The excitement in the boys' faces as they yelled commands to one another in different languages amused the reporter. Katie knew she had to get moving, but the sight of children at play always captured her attention. If she had known the boys she would have loved to join in the game. They were having such a good time swooshing and whooshing up and down the muddy path.

       The children's fun came to an abrupt halt when the mother of the younger boy hurried around the trees from the direction of town. She spied the two at play, swooped down on her boy, grasped him in a vice-like grip and winged him away scolding him with every step.

       "I've told you and told you not to play with that boy."

       The little man wailed in protest, "But mama, he's my friend. We're playing."

       "He's not your friend! Joey is your friend and Timmy and Charlie. You have lots of friends! Now let's go find them."

       "Why can't I play with him, mama?" he cried.

       "Because he's not like us. You'll play with Joey and Timmy. I'm sure they are home right now. Let's go right over and find them."

       The little boy left behind looked bewildered by what had just taken place. Kate's heart ached for him. Oh, what did it matter if she arrived in Auburn later than she had planned? Katie walked over to the abandoned lad and stooped down to examine the small stream. She avoided eye contact at first to keep from scaring him. Within minutes they were both giggling over the tiny dam they had constructed and the pool of water that formed just behind it. As they inspected their project, the child slipped his hand into Kate's and said something to her in Chinese. Kate gave him a warm smile, which was promptly returned.

       The moment would have lasted longer if the boy's mother hadn't appeared at the top of the trail. She descended upon them with an expression of relief and anger on her face. The woman snatched her son's hand away from Kate's and bundled her child back up the hill. The girl tried to explain, but it was useless. How could she tell the mother that her precious son had been safe with her even though her skin was white? All she could do was wave feebly at the small face turned toward her as he and his mother disappeared over the hill.

       As Kate moved out along the trail her thoughts troubled her. This wasn't San Francisco or Chicago but her very own Seattle. Had prejudice always been here? She couldn't recall any incident from her childhood that would suggest it had, but Kate wondered if she wasn't subconsciously choosing not to remember.