 Dale finds a trainload of undelivered supplies near the town, and uses them to restock the store.He has an interest in Skylar Stevens, and overcomes her snobbish disdain by bringing her supplies from the store; she even asks him to stay with her after his own home burns down, and bails him out of jail when he briefly aids Mitchell Cafferty's activities in Jericho.This friendship with Skylar leads to a falling-out with Gracie; but when Gracie is murdered she leaves the store to Dale, and he vows revenge, not knowing whom to blame until Mitch demands half the store's profits lest he "end up like Gracie."