The sun illuminated the sky and heated the earth like the giant ball of fire it was, and Jeanine was grateful for the warmth as she hopped down from the front porch of her sister's home, as animated and cheerful as a bunny. Although she was a bright and bubbly individual in general, she was in particularly good spirits on that humid July afternoon. Today was the day she would finally be able to introduce her close friend and practical brother, Jacob Matthews, to the town she had called her home for the past few years, where she had began her musical career and had met the love of her life, who she was soon to marry. She would be spending the rest of her life in Buffalo Creek Bay, and she was excited to share it with her best male friend aside from her fiancé.

The saloon singer knew that Jake would be apprehensive and likely a little frightened, after so many years away from society and being accustomed to the peaceful company of the natives. In order to help him feel a bit more comfortable, she'd bought him a brown stetson similar to the ones the other men in town wore, just to help him blend in a bit and attract less attention. If anything, the women would stare at him because he was handsome and rugged, a type one didn't typically see roaming the streets of the tiny hicktown. Jeanine smiled at the notion, saddling her horse and sliding atop the serene Palomino mare. She placed the hat upon her head for safe-keeping, and was amused by the questioning stares she got as she rode through town toward the place she and Jacob had determined to meet. When a few people called out to her and asked what was with the hat, she answered that a woman had just as much of a right as a man to wear one.

It took a little while to reach the schoolhouse as it rested at the very edge of town, deserted due to the fact that it was summer and all the kids were on break. Jeanine and her horse trotted up to the building and she waved enthusiastically at her part-Indian companion, who even from a distance she could tell was fighting off his nerves. After hopping down from Piper's back, the auburn-haired singer launched herself at Jacob in a tight embrace, a bright grin playing on her full pink lips as she clung to him like a bur to fabric. "Jake! I'm so glad you came, otherwise I would've had to find you and lasso you like the cowgirl I seem to be in this hat." She quipped lightly, giving her friend another squeeze before letting him go. "It's for you by the way, to welcome you to town and help you blend in a little." Giving a playful wink, she reached up and placed the stetson atop his head, brushing the trail dust from his chest and shoulders before stepping back to survey him.

Jeanine stroked her non-existent goatee for a moment, apparently deep in thought, before cracking a smile and observing sincerely, "Very handsome. Where's your camera? We need a picture of this moment." She glided over and gave Jake a gentle nudge with her hip, her emerald eyes sparkling with mischief and merriment.

If it wasn't for the pull of business and subsequently money, Jeanine knew that her good friend most likely would have continued to be stubborn as a rock about even coming anywhere near town, but the time had come that he could no longer avoid it. For this she was glad, because no matter how much he denied it, she knew that Jacob had to get lonely sometimes out on his little piece of land in the middle of nowhere. It wasn't that she doubted the value of the company of the Indians, it was far from that, she just couldn't see how being so isolated was allowing him to lead his life to the fullest potential. She was determined to show the rugged photographer that while society had its idiosyncrasies and superficialities, it wasn't all bad, and he could possibly benefit greatly from branching out of his comfort zone. She was excited for Jacob to meet Nathan, her friends and family at the wedding - she knew they wouldn't judge him and accept him readily into the circle.

Satisfied to see her close companion smiling despite the circumstances, the jovial brunette reached up and affectionately straightened the stetson she'd placed on his head, replying sincerely, "I'm really happy to see you too, Jake." He was just too sweet, not like other men in that he was hesitant to share his feelings or show his gratitude. She suspected that had a lot to do with his upbringing amongst the natives, whose males probably did not feel the need to be some masculine, macho and unfeeling. It was one of her most favorite things about him. "It's been way too long. Guess we've both just been busy, huh?" She shrugged with a soft laugh, knowing that she herself had certainly been more than occupied. The past few months had been eventful, to say the least.

Inclining her head with a smile at Jacob's thanks, she replied lightly, "Don't mention it." Her emerald orbs roved over his features for a moment, before she reached over and gently grasped his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I know this is all new and scary for you, but you have absolutely nothing to worry about. I'll be right by your side the whole time, and nobody messes with this." Jeanine pretended to flex her 'gun's, when in reality she was about as muscly as a lean and slender doe. She grinned, then added earnestly, "But seriously...I promise it's not as bad as you think. Maybe you'll even enjoy yourself. You trust me, right?" For once, her expression was free of playfulness or jesting, and she watched him with attentive solemnity.

Pretending to heave an exasperated sigh as he protested the unveiling of the camera, Jeanine relented reluctantly and said, "Alright, alright. But I will have documentation to prove this event actually occurred." She poked him gently in the chest, her face transitioning back to that of a teasing little sister.

Pity had never been an emotion that Jeanine had felt toward Jacob, she knew that he was content with his life isolated and away from the town and its people. She respected that and even admired his peaceful way of living, his closeness with the Natives and adaptation of their lifestyle. It was all very adverse to society's viewpoint, but there was so much more to living a rich, full life than fitting in. Had Nathan not entered the picture and stolen her heart, she could've easily seen herself someday assuming the ways of her good friend and discovering them for herself. Whether that would've meant forming a relationship with him beyond that of a brotherly sort, she would never know, and perhaps she would always wonder. But either way, she was engaged to the love of her life and wouldn't change a thing, even if she was curious enough. Maybe things would unfold differently in another life, who was to say for sure?

Returning her attention to the situation at hand, the young musician inclined her head with a look of compassion and concern as Jacob admitted that it was the town he did not trust. She couldn't blame him, it was something so strange and foreign to him that of course he would be predisposed to be suspicious of it. Hopefully this day would cure him of that wariness, she wanted to help expand his horizons. At the very least, becoming accustomed to town and establishing a few connections would help him to flourish as a photographer. His art was beautiful, and to not share it was doing the world a disservice. Giving his arm a light squeeze, Jeanine reassured him, "They're not all villains, Jake. My family and friends are there, the man I love is there, I know they'll welcome you with open arms." She smiled and hoped her words might comfort him a bit.

A grin working its way onto her features, Jeanine pretended to heave a begrudging sigh and feigned reluctance as she agreed, "Oh, alright. I'll keep them tucked safely under my pillow." Giving him a light wink, she laughed as he pulled her into yet another embrace, and pressed her lips to his stubbled cheek in a lingering sweet kiss. "You can take pictures of me too. I'm very photogenic, as you know." She gave an animated little wiggle, still enveloped in his arms, before exclaiming enthusiastically, "I almost forgot! Would you do Nathan and I the honor of taking our wedding photos?' Her emerald eyes shone with excitement, for he couldn't possibly refuse as he'd already promised to be there for the ceremony itself.