Chapter One
For two days after they had returned home, Teaspoon had insisted Buck rest, and not get carried away with doing too much work. This would have been tougher on the young man, had Nikki not been there to keep him occupied. As it was, after Doc Barnes had been out to see the two of them the day after their arrival home, they had both been given strict orders to take it easy, and Rachel was put in charge of making sure they did just that. They were both healing, but Nikki's wound would take a little longer to fully heal, and Buck was more dehydrated and bruised than even he had imagined.
Since neither of them could do much physically to help, they spent a lot of time taking walks and learning more about each other. Buck marveled in the change he could see in Nikki. She seemed relaxed and more at peace, and she smiled. A lot. Her laughter was contagious, and it was hard for him to feel anything but happy when he was around her. Maybe he just imagined it, but Buck could almost swear her eyes sparkled when she looked at him, and now, every once in awhile she would become shy, and turn away from him. When he turned her face back towards his, she would be nervously chewing on her lower lip, and her face would have a crimson glow to it. He didn't know why, but he felt these things drawing him closer and closer to her.
Saturday morning came with Teaspoon barging happily into the bunkhouse. "Rise and shine, it's a bee-u-ti-ful day."
Jimmy squinted at him with one eye half opened and the other one still closed. "What do you got to be so chipper about?"
"Well, we are all home, and.." Teaspoon hesitated before blurting out, "I got me a date for the dance. Now, how many of you can say that?"
At this time, the other four young men were slowly crawling out of their bunks. Kid looked at Buck, and grinned. "Well, I guess Buck and I can say we have dates for the dance."
"Can you now?" Teaspoon raised his eyebrow. "Who ya takin'?"
"We all know I'll be taking Lou, and I'm sure Buck'll be taking Nikki." Kid spoke assuredly.
"Did ya ask em?"
"No, but......"
Teaspoon slapped his knee, and grinned. "Then I would say you don't have a date yet. Looks to me like those two young women are still without suitors for tonight. Course, I could ask them to go with me and Rachel. I would be the most envied man there. Three pretty ladies on my arm....." "Wait a minute Teaspoon," Cody cut in. "That means I could ask either one of 'em, doesn't it? And Jimmy, you or Noah could ask the other one......."
"Teaspoon, I'm sure Nikki thinks she's going with me." Buck spoke as he was getting dressed. He glared at Cody. "Don't even think about it Cody, I'll kill you."
Cody finished putting on his last boot just before Buck, and grinning at his friend he teased. "You're gonna be too late." Out the door he went, Buck hot on his tail.
Jimmy sauntered out the door, turning to glance back at Kid, who was still struggling to get his last boot on. "Ya know Kid, I bet Louise would like to be asked. You shouldn't just assume that since you and she are an item, that she's just automatically gonna go everywhere with you. I think I'll see just how she feels about that." He grinned, as he watched Kid's face turn red.
"Jimmy, you wouldn't. Would you? Would you? Hell yeah you would." Kid took off after Jimmy, who was laughing so hard it wouldn't take Kid long to catch him.
Teaspoon chuckled and looked at Noah. "Ya ain't gonna get involved?"
"Nope, don't need me a headache like that, for awhile anyway." Noah grinned back, and shook his head. "Right now, I gotta feel sorry for the girls. I don't think they have a clue of what's headed their way." He started out the door of the bunkhouse. Teaspoon put his arm on Noah's shoulder, and began walking with him.
"Me too son, me too."
Rachel and Lou were in the kitchen fixing biscuits when the first two came running in the door. "What on earth is the matter with you?" Rachel scolded, as Buck almost collided with the tray she held in her hands. Both boys stopped and apologized.
"Sorry Rachel. Is Nikki up yet?" Buck asked. He looked to see where Cody was, and smiled when he saw his friend sitting on a chair in the kitchen with a biscuit in one hand and a partial biscuit in his mouth. Cody was being lectured by Lou, but didn't seem too bothered by it. Before Rachel could answer Buck, Kid and Jimmy casually walked inside. They had talked on the way to the house, and Kid had agreed that it would be a nice gesture for him to ask Lou to go with him to the dance, even if they both had already assumed that's the way it would be.
Kid walked into the kitchen, interrupting Lou's scolding of Cody. He asked her about the dance, and she was shocked and pleasantly surprised that he had asked her to accompany him to the dance. She smiled at him, gave him a kiss on the cheek, and said yes. Then she shooed both he and Cody out of the kitchen so she could finish what she was doing.
At that moment, Nikki came downstairs. She had awakened when she heard the commotion Cody and Buck had made as they entered the house. She had put on a gingham dress Rachel had bought her, and had put her hair back in a barrette.
Buck walked over to her as she stepped off the last stair. "Could we go outside, and talk?" He took her hand before she had a chance to answer, and led her out to the porch. "What's wrong?" Nikki worried that something had happened.
"Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to ask you....well....I didn't want you to think I expected you...." Buck was having a hard time saying what he wanted to say.
"What did you expect...."she started to ask.
"I wanted to ask if you would go to the dance with me?" There, that wasn't so hard. "I didn't want you to think I expected you to go with me, in case you didn't want to."
"I'd love to go to the dance with you," Nikki's smile lit up her face as she reached out and touched his cheek, "if you're not ashamed to be seen with me. I mean, I don't know anybody but you all, and, well, yesterday, when Rachel, Lou, and I were in town, people were looking at me, and whispering. I did hear one older lady say something to Rachel about how could she condone letting one of those girls live out here. I know what she was talking about." Her eyes got a little teary.
"I don't care what other people say, especially the old ladies from town. I know who you are. You know who you are, and everybody here knows who you are." Buck placed both his hands on Nikki's face, and gently stroked her soft cheeks with his thumbs. "As long as we believe in ourselves, nobody can take that away from us. I want you to be with me at the dance. Everybody will be jealous, because the half-breed will have the prettiest girl there." He smiled at her and pulled her close to him for a hug, kissing her lightly on the forehead.
Rachel and Lou had lots of help getting the breakfast down to the bunkhouse, and extra help cleaning up after all had eaten. Teaspoon had all the riders, except Buck, work on the corral around the barn, while he went into town to see what was going on. Since Sam had gone, the Marshal's job had been up to Teaspoon, and he liked to make sure things were going smoothly. He also wanted to see if he could find out more about the mysterious meeting the town council had held that he wasn't invited to. He was told it had nothing to do with him, or the Express, but that it had to do with something that would better the town, and that everybody would meet the person responsible for this particular endeavor tonight at the social.
That evening, after the boys had gone to the swimming hole to clean up, two were anxiously waiting for their dates to come downstairs. Jimmy, Noah, and Cody, had already gone into town, and Teaspoon had gone to pick up a nice wagon for the three couples. Upstairs, the women were adding the finishing touches to their wardrobe.
Nikki fussed with her hair in front of the mirror, a frown on her usually pretty face.
"You look beautiful" Rachel smiled, putting an arm around her. "Buck is going to have to pick himself up off the floor when he sees you."
"Are you sure this dress is alright?" Nikki pulled at the bodice, which was cut lower than she would have liked. The dress was a beautiful midnight blue, and complimented her coloring perfectly.
"I'd love to wear that dress," Lou told her, smoothing out the velvet green skirt of the gown she wore. "But I don't think I'd do it justice." She glanced down at the bodice of her own dress, obviously referencing the fact that she was much smaller chested than Nikki.
The blond girl blushed deeply, and stood up from her chair. "I don't think I can wear this. I'm just not comfortable after..." she shook her head and didn't finish the sentence.
Lou and Rachel glanced at each other, wondering how they could put the girl at ease.
"Honey," Rachel began, "I know you went through a lot...but you did what you had to do. Now you're here, and everything worked out for the best, didn't it?"
Nikki nodded mutely, but her eyes still showed that she wasn't at all sure about the dress.
"You're a beautiful girl. Don't hide it." Rachel sighed, still trying to think of something to make Nikki feel better about herself. "You know, Buck has never taken anyone to a dance before."
"Really?" Nikki asked, surprised. "Nobody?"
"No. You look so pretty in that dress. He's going to be the proudest man there. I just can't wait for him to see you in it." Rachel smiled when she saw Nikki's expression brighten a bit.
"How about if you take this?" Lou offered her a pale blue shawl. "That way you don't have to...show everything. Unless you decide you want to." Lou's eyes twinkled mischievously and Nikki giggled.
"You ladies about ready?" Teaspoon called. "Or you gonna make us wait all night?"
"We'll be right there." Rachel took one last look at herself in the mirror, deciding that the dark red gown she had chosen looked pretty good. She found herself really looking forward to her date as well.
"Well, girls...are we ready?"
The three of them made their way down the stairs to where their escorts waited. When the men saw them, Teaspoon said, "I must say that I've never seen a more beautiful sight."
Rachel took his arm and thanked him as they made their way out of the house. Lou did the same with Kid who was speechless at how lovely she looked in her green dress. "You look stunning," he finally managed to say as they followed Teaspoon and Rachel.
Buck couldn't take his eyes off Nikki as she descended the stairs. When she stopped beside him, he smiled. "I know everyone is going to be jealous," he said. "I'm taking the most beautiful girl to the dance."
Nikki blushed at the complement and pulled the shawl tightly around her shoulders. She was still a bit uncomfortable with the neckline of her dress, but felt much better now that Buck had admired it. She took his offered arm and they also went outside.
As soon as Nikki was settled into the buckboard, the group headed into town. The dance was just getting underway as they made their entrance. A hush fell over the group of people nearest the door as the three couples entered the room. "Why did everyone stop talking?" Nikki asked.
"They want to admire the beauty that just graced their presence," Teaspoon replied with a wink as he whirled Rachel onto the dance floor. Kid and Lou soon followed while Buck led Nikki to a quiet corner in the back where Cody and the others were waiting.
"'Bout time you showed up," Noah chided as Buck and Nikki approached.
"We were startin' to wonder if there was another party somewhere else." Cody smiled at Nikki and winked at Buck.
"Buck's not to blame for us being late." Nikki smiled. "I'm sure you know how women like to take their time before a dance Cody."
"Well," Jimmy drawled, "you three ladies are definitely worth waitin' for." Just then, Jimmy spied someone else arriving, and his smile widened. "Now if you'll excuse me, I got some socializing to do."
With that, he picked up a second glass of punch that he'd been saving, and made his way toward Violet Johnson.
"Guess that's the last we'll see of him for the night." Noah commented. He glanced at Buck, who had yet to say a word.
"You alright Buck? You're awful quiet."
"He's always quiet." Cody laughed. "Tonight ain't no different from any other."
"I'm fine." He smiled at Nikki, but even she noticed that he seemed a bit uncomfortable.
"Would you like some punch?" he asked her. She nodded, and with another small smile, he left to make his way to the punch table.
"Is he alright?" Nikki asked the two young men standing with her. She suddenly realized that although she felt close to Buck, she didn't really know him very well. She hoped she hadn't done something to offend him.
Cody and Noah smiled at each other. "I think he's a little nervous," Cody told her.
"Why?"
"Being with such a pretty lady can have that affect on a man. Of course, I've never had that happen myself..."
Nikki shook her head at Cody and laughed. He always had a way of making her feel at ease. When Buck returned with their drinks, Cody excused himself to decide which lucky lady would be the first to dance with him. Buck stood with his hand on Nikki's waist, but made no move to the dance floor. She smiled at him, trying to think of something to say.
When Lou and Kid approached and the two girls began a conversation, Buck seemed relieved.
"Ain't you gonna ask her to dance?" Noah asked, quietly enough that only Buck and Kid could hear him.
"Of course I am," Buck answered a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"Well what are you waitin' on? Me and Lou already danced to two songs."
Buck was about to answer, when a young man approached Nikki. He was tall and thin, with very light blonde hair.
"Excuse me ma'am, would you like to dance?"
Nikki was so surprised that she was speechless for a moment.
"I...thank you but I..."
"She's here with me." Buck came up behind her and put his arm around her waist, pulling her close.
The blond boy saw the look in Buck's eye and immediately backed off.
"I'm sorry...I didn't realize...sorry." He apologized and made a quick exit.
Nikki looked up at Buck and smiled, and at that moment Buck knew. He was completely in love with her.
"May I have this dance, Miss Moore?" He asked politely, his deep brown eyes holding her gaze. She nodded, and the two of them walked away, without a word to their friends, who stood watching with amusement.
Buck took her to the middle of the floor, but as the music started, he froze.
"What's wrong?" Nikki asked, now completely confused by Buck's behavior.
Buck blushed, and looked nervously down at his feet. "I was so excited that you were coming to the dance with me tonight. No one has ever...I mean I've never had the chance to..." Buck stopped mid sentence, obviously frustrated and embarrassed.
"What is it?" Nikki put her hand against his cheek, forcing him to look at her.
"I don't know how to dance!" he blurted out. Then with a heavy sigh he looked away again, and down at his feet.
First Nikki smiled, and then she started to laugh. Buck looked at her in horror, blushing furiously.
She covered her mouth to stifle her giggles, and when Buck started to turn away, she grabbed his arm.
"I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you Buck."
Now his eyes were unreadable, and Nikki realized that she had hurt him.
"Buck, I didn't mean to laugh, it's just...I thought something was really wrong."
"Something is wrong. I brought you here, but I...I can't dance. I don't know how." Buck shook his head. "I feel like an idiot."
Nikki took his hand, and held it tight. "Don't say that. I don't care if you know how to dance. I'm just happy to be here with you." She smiled her beautiful smile and Buck felt himself begin to relax, if only a bit.
"I'm sorry. I should have told you but..."
Nikki leaned up and kissed Buck on the cheek. Several of the other couples noticed, and wondered how in the world the half-breed Express rider could be so well acquainted with such a pretty young lady.
Nikki noticed the others staring, and without giving it another thought, she moved her lips over and catching him off guard lightly touched his lips with hers. She wasn't sure why she had done it right then, yet in a way she wanted all the people who were staring, to have something to talk about. Though she meant it to be an innocent little kiss, both she and Buck were drawn into it, Buck pulling her closer to him. Hungrily taking her mouth with his, he was hoping to show her how he really felt, how he had been feeling for quite some time now, but was just now willing to admit even to himself. Nikki leaned into the kiss, feeling as if she were floating. She had never felt this way before for anybody, and she just wanted to be swept away by this man.
"Ahem," Teaspoon quietly tapped Buck on the shoulder. Buck and Nikki separated; both faces were crimson red when they realized that they had been the focus of everyone's attention. "Just thought you might want to take that outside where it's a little cooler." Teaspoon nodded his head toward the door.
"Teaspoon, I'm sorry. I....I don't know....." Buck stammered.
"I know son, I know what come over you," Teaspoon said with a smile. "There's just a few people here that don't understand young love." He glanced over to where a few of the prominent older women of the town were standing, busily talking amongst themselves, and looking in the direction of the young couple with distaste.
Buck glanced at Nikki. She was looking down at the floor, and fidgeting with the shawl that lay draped around her shoulders. "You okay?"
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry Buck. I didn't mean to get you in trouble." Her hands were shaking so hard that the shawl slipped from them and fell to the floor. Horrified, she tried to hide herself with her arms, as she could hear whispers about the dress, and about how the two of them made a spectacle of themselves.
"I told you, didn't I?" One of the women was saying. "I can't believe they would let a saloon girl stay out there. I can see why she's there, though. Can you imagine the gall of that Indian for bringing her to a respectable function like this."
Buck heard them too, and started to walk over to where they stood. "No Buck, please, let's just go outside," Nikki pleaded with him.
"She's right son," Teaspoon added. "You two go on and get a breath of fresh air, and I'll do what I do best, speak to our distinguished townsfolk." He watched as Buck helped Nikki place the shawl back around her shoulders, before turning toward the group of gossiping women. Buck took Nikki by the hand and led her out the door.
"Let's go for a walk," he said, as he put his arm around her to shield her from the night air.
The rest of the people had resumed their socializing and dancing, not really being too upset by what went on with Buck and Nikki. Some of the men even felt comfortable enough to give their dates a peck on the lips, right in front of the founding mothers of the town. Jimmy swung Violet by them, and as she was laughing he tipped her, and gave her a quick kiss, making sure that old Mrs. Rankin saw the whole thing up close.
Teaspoon was just about to speak when Rachel reached his side. "Come on and dance with me, these women aren't worth getting all riled up for. They're just bitter and jealous. You know why? I haven't seen a single one of them out here on the dance floor, and now I know why. There isn't a man out there who wants a prune when he could be dancing with a plum." She took Teaspoon's arm and led him back out to the dance floor. Teaspoon took her in his arms as the music began.
"Remind me not to get you mad at me." He grinned at the beautiful woman he was dancing with.
Outside, Buck and Nikki had walked over to the jail, and were seated on the bench outside on the walkway. He held her close to him, and she laid her head on his shoulder, as they both looked at the stars in the sky.
"You know, that was some kiss." Buck leaned his head down and gently brushed her head with his lips. "Too bad it had to end." He smiled as she looked up at him with concern on her face.
"I can't believe you're not angry at me," she watched his eyes. "I made you look bad in front of everybody in town. They all think I'm....well....they all think I'm like Loretta's girls." Nikki's eyes were welling up with tears again. Buck began to chuckle. Nikki pulled away from him. "It's not funny. Why are you laughing? Is that how you see me?" She attempted to get up from the bench, but Buck pulled her back down, this time setting her on his lap. Nikki tried to free herself.
"Wait, wait a minute." Buck held her tight. "I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing at those old biddies. Just seeing the looks on their faces when I turned to confront them. I think they actually thought I was going to attack them. They didn't know what to do or say at that moment." He looked deeply into her eyes. "We have nothing to be ashamed of. You, of all people, have nothing to be ashamed of. When we kissed, I realized I had wanted to do that for a very long time. Okay, the timing could have been better, but, the fact still remains that it was something I wanted. How about you? Did you really feel the way it seemed you felt?"
Nikki started to bite on her lower lip, trying to still be upset. But looking at Buck and seeing that he really cared made her smile. "Yes," she whispered. "I felt like I never wanted the kiss to end."
"It doesn't have to, does it?" Buck's eyes twinkled as he raised his brow. "Besides, you like chewing on that bottom lip a lot. Why don't you let me try it, it must have pretty good flavor."
"What?" Nikki's eyes got big. She tried to squirm out of his arms again, all the time her smile getting bigger and brighter. "I don't know if that's such a good...." Buck kissed her fully on the mouth, then sat back. "idea." She reached for him and once more their lips met with a burning passion. Buck nibbled on her bottom lip, and she squealed.
"That's not bad," he said, looking at her, as she fought to catch her breath.
"Buck, Nikki. Oh good, there you are. Teaspoon says they're about to announce the great, mysterious company that's gonna put Rock Creek on the map." Cody walked over to the two of them. "Oh, sorry, did I interrupt something?" His lop-sided grin took up most of his face.
Buck arched an eyebrow at his fellow rider, and Cody chuckled, taking in the picture before him. Even in the dim light, he could tell that Nikki was flushed.
"Ain't you supposed to be dancin' Cody?" Buck asked.
"Looks like you finally got around to it," Cody quipped. His remark was lost on Nikki, and he knew that given the situation, Buck couldn't retaliate. It was too good to pass up.
"Did somebody send you out here or..."
"I told ya, they're about to make that announcement. Didn't want you to miss it."
Buck rolled his eyes, but Nikki spoke sweetly to her new friend. "Thank you Cody, we'll be along in a minute." Nikki stood up and smoothed her dress. Buck stood too, taking her hand in his.
"Suit yourself," Cody shrugged, and started down the street in the direction of the dance.
"Hey Cody!" Buck called to his friend while the blonde rider was still in earshot.
"Yeah?"
"Can I borrow your horse?" "What for?"
"You can ride back with the others in the buckboard. I think we're gonna head home."
Nikki looked at him in confusion, "Home? But don't you want to..."
Buck shook his head, "I just want spend some time with you. Would you come for a ride with me?"
Nikki smiled, and glanced away for a moment, feeling herself blush again. "I'd love to," she answered.
Back inside the dance, everyone grew a bit restless, waiting for the mystery guest.
"This is stupid," Jimmy announced. "I ain't gonna waste my time standin' around..."
"Patience ain't one of your virtues is it?" Noah asked.
At that moment, Mr. Tompkins appeared by the punch table and quieted the crowd. "Sorry to keep everybody waitin' but there's been a delay."
As dissatisfied groans filled the room, he spoke again. "There's gonna be a town meetin' next week, and you'll find out everything then. It'll be good news for Rock Creek. Everybody enjoy the rest of your evening."
"I wonder what that's about?" Rachel asked. Teaspoon stood next to her, and reached to unbutton the top button of his dress shirt.
"Don't know, but I'm gonna see what I can find out in the mornin'"
Kid took a drink of his punch. "I heard somebody say something about some big business man that was gonna be movin' into town. Maybe that has something to do with it."
"I heard that too," Noah answered. "Somebody named Devlin. Jack Devlin."
At the mention of that name, Kid choked on his punch, quickly covering his mouth with a napkin. Lou's eyes were wide with shock, and Jimmy and Teaspoon looked at each other as though they'd seen a ghost.
"Who's Jack Devlin?" Rachel asked innocently.
Chapter Two
Teaspoon took a deep breath before answering. "Just someone we had a bit of trouble with back in Sweetwater; thought we'd shed ourselves of him for good once we left." He looked at the others before adding. "Hope that daughter of his stayed behind."
Lou nodded. "You think we need to find out what he's up to?" she asked.
Teaspoon shook his head. "Let's just hope he's not planning on staying. Maybe he's just planning on starting up some business and moving on like he did with the bank in Sweetwater. He left that in someone else's charge and moved back east right before we left. No use stirring up trouble where there ain't any."
Kid suggested, "I think we should keep this bit of news away from Buck until we know more details; he definitely doesn't need those memories brought back to life."
Jimmy nodded. "I agree," he said. "I swear, if I see that woman anywhere near him, I'm liable to forget my manners and shoot her just for spite."
Noah looked at Rachel. "You get the feeling we missed out on something?"
She nodded. "I also get the feeling that I'm glad I did."
Teaspoon took her by the arm and once more led her onto the dance floor. "You couldn't be more right about that feeling," he said. "It wasn't a pleasant situation; that's for sure." As they danced he filled her in on Buck's past with the notorious Kathleen Devlin.
Totally unaware of the turn of events in the dance hall, Buck and Nikki were enjoying a pleasant ride back to the way station. As they passed by the meadow where Ike had been cremated, Buck stopped the horse and dismounted. "I want to show you something," he said as he helped Nikki down.
After he helped Nikki dismount, Buck held onto her for a little while. With her back to him, he lifted the hair that was down around her neck, and gently kissed her soft skin. Nikki gasped and laid her head farther back against him.
"Ummmm, you smell so good," Buck whispered in her ear, which sent a shiver down her spine. "Good enough to nibble." He started to nibble on her ear, but was interrupted by the eerie sound of an owl hooting. Nikki jumped at the sound, and turned around, clinging to Buck's arm.
"What is that?" she asked her blue eyes big and frightened.
"It's just an owl," Buck responded, smiling. "Or, maybe it's someone's spirit telling me he's here, and that he approves of my choice in women." He was looking beyond the burned pyre they had laid Ike to rest on, searching for any sign of his best friend. He became silent, as he listened to the breeze and the owl. The night air had changed, and Buck knew they were in for a good rainstorm. Nikki touched him on the arm and brought him out of his daze.
"Where are we?" she inquired. "What happened here?" she followed Buck's eyes as he stared at the burned area before them. "Buck, tell me, please."
Buck turned and looked at her, then took her by the hand, leading her closer to the area that had been Ike's last resting area, before he rode off into the sunset.
"Remember when I told you about my best friend, my brother?"
"Ike? You said he was killed. Is this where he was killed?" Nikki's body shuddered as she wondered exactly how the young man had died.
"No, he was killed in town. He took a bullet that was meant for the woman he loved." Buck lightly touched Nikki on the chin with his thumb and finger. "Kinda like someone else I know." His eyes got misty, as he whispered this to her. "Except that Ike died, and my heroine survived. And I am very sad and happy at the same time."
"Here is where we honored Ike's spirit." Buck continued, squeezing Nikki's hand. "We gave him a traditional Kiowa funeral. It's what he would have wanted. We were as close to being brothers as any two people could be, without being of the same blood."
"Where is the grave? Don't you have a marker for him then?" Nikki was glancing around, and though it was getting dark, she was trying to find where Ike had been buried. The burned ashes in front of her were all she could see, and she was still confused as to why they were looking at the blackened sight.
Buck turned her toward him, and looking into her eyes told her. "We burned Ike's body, and put a marker in the town cemetery for him." At the look of horror on her face, he explained. "It is tradition for the Kiowa to bury their people this way. When we burn them, we set them on a pyre, offering their spirits up to the Gods of the next world. That is a very honorable way to release their souls. Do you understand? The body is no longer alive, but the spirit lives on."
Nikki's eyes softened as she watched Buck explain. She was impressed at this man for being so open with her. She could tell by the soft way he talked, and the intent look on his face that this was something of great importance to him. She knew he wanted her to understand his people's ways, and to not judge him. She felt an even closer bond with him, now that he felt he could trust her with part of his culture.
"That's beautiful. You really miss him, don't you? Ike, I mean." Nikki took her hand and brushed Buck's hair away from his eyes, feeling the dampness of the tears on her fingers. He had reached behind his head, and had taken his hair out of the ponytail that it had been in for the dance, and it was falling around his face.
He grabbed her hand, and kissed it. "Yes, but with you I've found my reason to go on. Ike would want that. I still don't know how, but you've brought light back into my life."
"I'm glad I can be here for you. You can't imagine how much you've brought to my life. After mother died, I never thought there would be anything in my life but days filled with missing her, even when I was with my father." Nikki's eyes started to fill with tears.
"She was sick, right?"
Nikki closed her eyes, as a tear slid from each one. "No, she fell down the stairs. I should have been there, but when I got back from my riding, she was already gone."
"You probably couldn't have......." Buck started to comfort her, when the sky broke loose and the rain started to fall. "Come on," he grabbed her by the hand. Placing her on the horse in front of him, he mounted and spurred the horse onward toward the station.
By the time they reached the barn, they were both soaking wet from the downpour. After both dismounted, they brought the horse into the barn to get the saddle and gear off him. Nikki shivered as she watched Buck take care of the horse, her dress clinging to her body in all the right places. Buck found a couple of empty grain sacks and started rubbing the horse down with one.
Nikki stepped forward. "Can I help?" she said through chattering teeth. Buck smiled at her, and handed her the other sack.
"Sure, we'll get the horse dried off, then maybe we can work on drying you off." His eyes twinkled mischievously, as he took in her drenched appearance, and how her wet dress made him feel very alive. Nikki didn't say anything, her face just became flushed for what must have been about the 100th time that night, and she just rubbed harder and harder with the sack on the horse's flank, making sure she got every part of it dry.
As she continued to dry the horse, she noticed Buck had quit helping. She turned to see where he had gone. He was sitting on a bale of straw just across from the stall watching her.
"What is this? I offer to help, and you decide to let me do all the work? How fair is that?" she wanted to try to sound put off, although she knew it hadn't worked.
Smiling at her, Buck answered. "I was just imagining myself as that horse, and having you rub me the way you're rubbing him. He must feel very good right now."
"Buck!! I can't believe you said that." Nikki was embarrassed, but in a way flattered. Although she was in no way ready for an intimate relationship with Buck, her body sure felt funny things whenever he said anything about her, or whenever he touched her.
"Come here." Buck got up from the straw bale. Taking Nikki by the hand, he led her out of the stall, and closed the gate so the horse wouldn't spook and run if it started thundering.
"Buck, maybe we should go up to the house, and wait for the others. Don't you think they'll be along soon?" Nikki's legs were shaking, and she knew she couldn't blame it on the cold anymore.
"In a minute. I want the rain to let up a little more." Buck sat back down on the straw, pulling Nikki down on his lap, as he had done in town. This time he pulled her dress up above her knees so she could straddle him, face to face. She got nervous when he was moving the dress up past her knees.
"Buck, no, I'm not....."
"Shhhhh, I'm not going to hurt you. I just want you to sit here so I can look into your beautiful blue eyes." Suddenly his demeanor changed." You're not afraid of me, are you?" The hurt look in Buck's eyes was evident, and Nikki started to calm down.
"Of course I'm not afraid of you. I'm just....I'm afraid of how I'm feeling. How I feel when you touch me. And how you are feeling," she could feel him aroused under her,"when we touch." Nikki tried to lift herself off his lap a little.
"I'm not gonna force you to do anything, Nikki, I just want to be with you. However that may be." Buck took his hand and pulled her head down closer to his, bringing his lips up to capture hers in a passionate kiss. Nikki, as much as she tried not to, gave in to his desire and fully kissed him back with vigor. He parted her lips with his tongue...
"Okay, let's get these animals out of this rain." Teaspoon's voice boomed loud, as the door to the barn swung open.
Both of them jumped at the sound of Teaspoon's voice. In the next moment, the barn was full of people, all taking at once.
At the sight of Buck and Nikki, both still damp from the rain, everyone fell silent.
"Well," Jimmy smiled. "I was wonderin' where the two of you snuck off too."
Nikki stood with her hands behind her back, looking down at the wet hem of her dress. She wished that she had the shawl Lou had given her, which lay at Buck's feet.
"It was too crowded at the dance," Buck explained. "I just took her for a ride..."
Cody snickered, and Buck gave him a look of warning.
"Ow!" he yelped as Noah elbowed him in the ribs. "What was that for?"
"The next joke you make might be your last Cody," Noah warned quietly.
Rachel took in the couple, and moved to pick up the shawl from the ground.
"Let's get inside and get dried off. That storm came up quick." She put an arm around Nikki and led her out of the barn. "Louise, why don't you come along too; I'm sure these boys can take care of the horses."
The women left, and as Teaspoon started to work on the horses, Cody, Jimmy and Noah were still glancing at Buck.
"What?" he finally snapped.
"Nothin'," Jimmy smiled, "nothin' at all."
As soon as the horses were dried off and settled in for the night, the boys headed to the bunkhouse to put on some dry clothes. Buck hung back from the others, not wanting to answer any questions or endure any more looks. The others took the hint and left him alone, not bringing up anything about the dance, or what had happened after he and Nikki left.'
Glancing at Kid, he finally asked, "So what'd we miss, Kid?"
"Huh?"
"What was the announcement that everybody was so excited about?"
Careful not to glance at Jimmy, who sat on his bunk nearby, Kid tried to appear casual. "Nothin'. Whoever it was didn't show up."
Buck shrugged, not really interested in the whole thing. His mind was still on Nikki. He wanted to talk to her, and make sure she was alright, but at the same time, he wondered if he should keep his distance for the rest of the evening. That would be difficult to do.
Just then, Lou came into the bunkhouse. She had changed into dry clothes and smiled brightly when she saw Kid.
"Wanna take a walk?" she asked. "Now that the rain stopped it's a beautiful night."
"Sure," he smiled back at her, and as they walked outside, Buck followed them. Maybe a walk would do him good too.
When he saw Teaspoon headed toward the bunkhouse, he stopped. He knew what was coming, and he wasn't happy about it.
"Son," Teaspoon said as he approached, "Let's take a walk. I think you and me need to talk about some things."
He put an arm around Buck and led him away from the bunkhouse.
As they walked, Teaspoon could sense that Buck was troubled. "I ain't upset," he said as he removed his arm from Buck's shoulders.
Buck nodded. "But..."
"I couldn't help but notice how close you and Miss Moore seem to have grown over the past few days. I just wanted to be sure you were thinking about what you were doing, and not just running away from the pain of being without Ike."
Buck stopped walking. He hadn't really thought about the possibility that he was simply using Nikki to forget about Ike's death. As he stood quietly thinking, Teaspoon once more took hold of his arm and started him walking. They were soon standing outside the sweat lodge. "Want to go in?"
Buck simply nodded.
Chapter Three
Once they were settled comfortably inside, Buck finally looked at Teaspoon. "Is that really what you think is happening?"
Teaspoon shrugged as he poured some water on the now warm rocks. "I don't know," he said. "I just wanted you to be sure it's not. 'Cause if it is, you're both looking at a world of hurt further down the road."
Buck sighed. "I don't think I'm just trying to forget that Ike's not here. I can't explain it, but when I'm with Nikki..." he paused and watched the steam fill the small enclosure.
"I know what you mean," Teaspoon said with a sigh of his own.
After a few minutes of silence, Teaspoon spoke, "Maybe you could just try to be sure and take things real slow; make sure of what you're feeling. I mean she's been through an awful lot too. Didn't she just recently lose her mother and brother?"
Buck nodded. "You think she's just using me to forget about them?" he asked. The tone of his voice told Teaspoon to tread carefully.
"I don't know her well enough to know what she's doing," the older man said. "If I had to guess I'd say she's in about the same shape you are as far as knowing exactly what it is she's feeling. That's all the more reason to slow down. Get to know the girl first." He almost addedremember what happened the last time but decided against it as he recalled the rumor he'd heard earlier that evening.
Buck sat quietly contemplating Teaspoon's words. "I guess I could do that," he said. "I mean, if we're really meant to be together it won't hurt us to take a little time to know that for sure." He smiled at Teaspoon. "Thank you."
"For what?" Teaspoon asked as he once more poured water over the rocks causing them to steam and hiss.
Buck didn't know exactly what to say. How did you thank someone for taking an interest in your well-being, for looking out for you like a father. He finally just said, "For watching out for me."
Teaspoon nodded. "That's what family does," he said.
Once the women had gotten inside the house, Lou hurried upstairs to change into some dry clothes. Nikki tried to follow, but was stopped by Rachel.
"If you'd like to talk to someone, Nikki, I'm here for you."
"I'm fine." the girl answered with her head down.
Rachel persisted. "Let me rephrase that. I think you and I need to have a small chat. I am, after all, supposed to be taking care of you while you're here, and I do believe that entitles me to some mothering, like it or not." she had approached Nikki, and with her hand on the girl's shoulder, spoke gently. "Things can get real confusing when you don't have someone to talk to. Now, you go on up and slip into a warm nightgown and robe, and I'll fix us some hot tea. Okay?"
Nikki glanced up at Rachel. "Yes, Miss Dunne." She replied shakily. Then she practically ran into Lou as they passed on the stairs.
"Is she alright?" Lou asked.
"She will be; I think she's a little embarrassed right now." Rachel answered. Noticing Lou hadn't changed into her night clothes, Rachel inquired. "You goin somewhere?"
Lou grinned. "The rain has stopped, it's beautiful outside, and I'm gonna see if Kid wants to go for a walk. Maybe we can catch a little of what Buck and Nikki had tonight." she raised her eyes and her smile broadened.
"Oh Louise," Rachel gave her an exasperated look. "Get going before I send you up to your room." her eyes sparkled at the girl she had finally become friends with. It had taken a while after Emma left, but in the end it was worth it. Lou closed the door behind her, and Rachel put some water on to boil. Rachel then went to change into her night clothes, because she was still in her wet ones. When she passed the room that Nikki was staying in, she paused, and reached out to knock on the door, only to pull her hand away when she heard the young girl sobbing. She hoped she hadn't sounded too harsh; she'd never had children of her own. There was a time when she was carrying... but that seemed like a long time ago.
Nikki changed her clothes, and after drying her eyes, she brushed her hair, and made her way to the kitchen. Rachel was just putting the water into the teapot over the tea leaves, and she looked up as Nikki entered. She smiled at Nikki.
"Come; sit down over here closer to the fire. You look like you're still chilled." she pulled the chair out for Nikki to sit down. Nikki sat down still looking quite sad.
"Thank you Miss Dunne." she whispered.
Rachel leaned down close to the girl. "Honey, can we please dispense with the Miss Dunne stuff? You can call me Rachel, just like everybody else does, okay?"
Nikki nodded her head." Okay." she picked up the cup of hot tea that Rachel set in front of her, and held it between her hands. She hadn't realized how cold she really was, but then again, she hadn't realized how much it had rained either. She thought about Buck, and hoped that she didn't get him into any trouble again. That was the last thing she wanted to happen.
As if reading her mind, Rachel spoke. "Honey, Buck's not in trouble. You're not in trouble. We just want the two of you to be real careful in how fast you take this relationship."
"I really do care a lot about Buck, I think I might even be falling in......." Nikki started to say "love", but Rachel interrupted her.
"I really think it's a little early for you to know whether you feel that way or not, Nikki. You haven't known each other for that long, have you?" Nikki opened her mouth to speak, but Rachel wasn't done. "And I think Louise told me something about your mother passing away not too long ago. Do you think maybe, that Buck just came along at the right time when you needed someone to lean on, and since he just lost his best friend, that maybe that's what drew the two of you together?"
Nikki shook her head, and almost screamed. "NO, no, that's not why I feel the way I do about Buck. If I just wanted, or needed someone to lean on, my father was there. You make it sound like I'm using him, and I wouldn't, I couldn't, use Buck. He makes me feel alive, and he's so understanding and gentle, nothing like anyone I've ever met before." Tears were streaming down her face.
"Do you think maybe, he needs you to help get him past the pain of losing Ike? Ike was his best friend, and when Ike died, a part of Buck died too."
Nikki looked up at Rachel. "I know who Ike was. I know how devastated Buck was when he was killed. On the way here tonight, Buck showed me where he honored his best friend, where he laid him to rest." she stopped as a realization hit her. "Are you telling me that Buck is using me? That he can't or doesn't care for me the way, the way he says......You're telling me that Buck is lying to me with everything he says."
"I can't answer for Buck." Rachel was disappointed. This talk wasn't going like she had hoped it would. Instead of helping Nikki, she felt that she was only making the girl feel worse.
She was sure hoping that Teaspoon's talk with Buck was going better.
"Do you think I'm bad for Buck?" Nikki dried her tears, and asked. "Do YOU think I'm what those women were talking about, someone who's nothing but filth, and deserves only one kind of man. The kind that will pay me." she was trying hard to keep herself composed.
"Nikki, I didn't say that. I was only wanting you and Buck to take things slower, not to give up altogether. I don't want to see either one of you get hurt. Buck's been hurt before, and I think that....." Rachel was interrupted by Teaspoon and Buck coming into the house. Teaspoon caught Rachel's eye and slightly shook his head, as he was afraid she might let slip the Devlin name.
"Well, see Buck, there's somebody still up. We can get a cup of coffee or something before retiring. Would that be possible Rachel?"
"Of course." Rachel got up to get two more cups.
Buck noticed Nikki had been crying, and hoped he hadn't been the cause of it. Rachel handed Teaspoon a cup, but when she offered one to Buck, he just held his hand up.
"No thanks," he said quietly, his voice cracking just a little. "I think I better head on over to the bunkhouse and get some sleep." He tried not to look at Nikki, but he really wanted to say something. He felt he couldn't leave things the way they were right now, he wasn't sure exactly how they were anyway.
Teaspoon noticed the uncomfortable feeling in the room. "Rachel, how bout you and me go relax in the sittin' room, and let these two young'uns say good night to each other." He noted Rachel's confused expression, and added, half jokingly. "Buck, now I don't want you two to leave this kitchen. Now, I'm not about to keep you from seein' each other, but for now I believe it'll be better if someone else is around you when you do."
"You mean a chaperone?" Buck looked at the man, hoping he would break out in his usual laughter, after telling a bad joke. When Teaspoon only nodded Buck got a little irritated. "I'm not a child Teaspoon. I don't need someone watching everything I do. I understand what we talked about in the sweat lodge, but I didn't know you were going to be my watchdog. Now, you don't trust me? Why did you even talk to me?"
Teaspoon understood the young man's frustrations, but he believed he had a duty to both these young people. "I told ya Buck, cos that's what family does. Now, you gonna say goodnight to Nikki, or you just gonna walk away mad at me?" He walked into the room where Rachel was seated.
Nikki got up, and tried to sneak by Buck to get up the stairs. He noticed this, and reached out his hand and barely touched her face.
"Wait, please Nikki. I need to talk to you." He moved his hand away as she raised her face to look at him. Her once beautiful laughing eyes were now swollen and sad.
"Can we sit down? Just for a minute or two, okay?"
They both sat at the table. Buck wasn't sure what he wanted to say, or even how to say it. Before he could begin, Nikki spoke.
"Buck, I don't want you to think I'm using you to take the place of my mother, or my brother for that matter. I would never do that. I want you to know that I care for you, really care for you, but Rachel thinks you're hurting too bad about Ike still to really be able to explore your feelings for anyone else."
"Nikki,......" Buck started to speak, but she placed her fingers on his mouth.
"I don't want to be the one that's being used either. If I didn't have any feelings at all, it wouldn't matter. But I don't want to just be an object that you focus all your energy on, until you decide that you can deal with Ike's death, and then toss me away. I can't do that.
"That's not how it is for me." Buck was trying to talk low enough, so the two adults in the other room couldn't listen to everything that was said. "I'm not using you; I really do care for you too. But maybe Teaspoon's right about one thing. Maybe we need to take things a little slower." He smiled at her, and continued. "I know I'm the one that's kind of jumped right in, I just feel good when I'm around you. I'm sorry if it seemed like I was pushing you for something more than you're ready for. I guess I was afraid you were a dream, and I would wake up and you'd be gone. No woman has ever made me feel the way you do." he noticed Nikki was starting to relax a little.
"It wasn't just you, Buck, I should have stopped it. Rachel said you cared for someone once, and she hurt you really bad. I don't want to do that. I think going slow would be nice, that is if you still want to do anything at all." Nikki chewed on her bottom lip, as she waited for his answer.
Buck was thinking about the time he had been fooled into thinking he mattered to a woman. Yes, she did break his heart, but to compare Nikki to her would just be ridiculous. He knew Nikki was nothing like Kathleen Devlin. Just thinking of her name gave him a bad taste in his mouth.
"Buck?"
"Yes, I still want to be with you, to do things with you. I want to test this relationship and see if what I believed was there before, can still be there. So, we'll have a tag-a-long or two when we go places, at least we can still do things. It would be safer for you, anyway." he thought about how he felt when she was in his arms, and the thoughts that came to his mind. He wondered if they were thoughts for the right reason, or if somehow a part of the man who fathered him, had squeezed its way into his subconscious. Buck disregarded the latter, because he knew that what he felt with Nikki was real, and not something he wanted just so he would be in control.
"You two best be gettin to bed." Teaspoon's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Buck, I'll walk you to the bunkhouse. I'm headed to my quarters anyway." Teaspoon gave Rachel a small peck on the cheek. "Thank you for a lovely evening, Miss Dunne. We'll have to do it again sometime."
Rachel blushed, and smiled at the Marshal. "It was my pleasure."
Buck stood up, and offered a hand to Nikki so she could stand also. He glanced at Teaspoon, and bent and gave Nikki a small kiss on her cheek, also. "Thank you for going to the dance with me, Miss Moore." He looked at Teaspoon to see if the older man was okay with what had transpired. Teaspoon nodded to the young girl.
"We'll see you in the morning."
As soon as they left, Nikki started up the stairs. "Miss Dunne, I mean Rachel, I'm sorry if I embarrassed any of you tonight. I promise, it won't happen again." she quickly moved up the stairs, and closed the bedroom door behind her. Rachel sighed, she felt bad for the young lady. Tomorrow would be a new day.
Buck entered the bunkhouse, and everyone was still up. Kid and Lou had come back from their walk and were sitting at the table playing cards with Cody and Jimmy. Noah was busy oiling his whip. When Buck went to his bunk, they all quit doing what they were doing, and stared at him.
"What! What's the matter with all of you?" Buck didn't like being the center of attention.
"Well, did Teaspoon give it to ya?" Cody asked.
"Give what to me?"
"You know, give ya hell about what you was doing when we got home."
"And just what do you think I was doing when you got home, Cody?" Buck turned to look at the blond rider. He had felt that Cody and himself had gotten closer after being together on this last run, but now he wasn't sure.
"Looked to me like Nikki was teachin' you all about dancin', if ya know what I mean. She must be a good teacher, seein as you..."
Buck flew at Cody, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt. "She's not like that Cody." he said with his teeth clenched. He smashed Cody in the face with his right fist, and would have hit him again if Jimmy and Kid hadn't gotten their arms around him, dragging him outside. Kid hollered at Lou.
"Lou, you best get back to the house." He realized he didn't want Nikki to know what had happened so he hollered again. "Lou, we got things taken care of down here. Don't tell Rachel, or Nikki."
Lou nodded, then turned and headed back up to the main house. She felt bad as she watched Kid and Jimmy try to subdue an angry Buck. Her next thought was of Cody. *I hope he's okay, but damn he sorta was askin for it.*
"I swear...if he opens his mouth again I'm gonna kill him!" Buck yelled. Jimmy and Kid still had a firm hold on him. Otherwise, he would've been back in the bunkhouse in a second.
"Hold on Buck! Just hold on!" Jimmy told him. "Stop fightin' me would ya!"
"He's been actin' like that ever since we got back. I really thought we'd see eye to eye after what happened, but he ain't never gonna change!"
"Well what'd you expect Buck?" Kid asked him seriously. "It's Cody..."
"He's got no right to say those things about her. She's not like that at all!" Finally, Buck was able to take a deep breath, and Kid and Jimmy loosened their hold.
"He's just teasin' Buck. Cody never thinks about what comes out of his mouth. Ain't you figured that out by now?" Kid shook his head and grinned at the Kiowa, surprised that Cody had gotten to Buck so easily.
"Just before you walked in, he was sayin' how he felt sorry for Nikki bein' here all by herself, and that he was glad that you were lookin' after her." Jimmy told him.
Buck eyed them both skeptically. "You'd better not be stickin' up for him Jimmy..."
"I ain't. That's what he said."
Buck took another deep breath, and for a second, hoped he hadn't broken Cody's nose.
"Well then why..." he began.
"Because it's Cody. Think about it Buck...if that were me, instead of you, and you walked in on me and Violet in the barn, in the dark, soaking wet…what would you think?"
"I didn't do anything to her Jimmy, you know better than that. I care about her..."
"I kinda got that impression when you launched yourself at Cody." Jimmy smiled.
"We ain't sayin' you did anything Buck. But it was kind of a...an awkward situation. Cody bein' who he is, how could he not say somethin'? Besides," Kid winked. "If I were Cody I'd be a little jealous. You ended up with the girl."
"Well, I don't feel one bit sorry for you Cody. You had it comin' to you." Noah commented, as he handed Cody another damp cloth, in an effort to stop the bleeding.
"Well I don't see what he got so mad about. I was just havin' fun."
"He cares about her Cody. When you feel that way about somebody, it ain't funny."
"I guess your right. I hope he don't stay mad long. There's somethin' about Buck giving you the silent treatment that's downright spooky."
"Yeah well, you'll be lucky if he don't come in here and let you have it again. I figured one of these days you'd end up with a fist in your mouth instead of your own foot."
At that moment Buck walked back in the bunkhouse with Jimmy and Kid. He looked at Cody, and the bloodstains on his shirt, and suddenly felt guilty.
"If your gonna hit me again Buck, do it now before I change clothes." Cody told him.
"I ain't gonna hit you again," Buck sighed in frustration, then turned serious. "But you better not ever ever, talk that way in front of Nikki. If you hurt her..."
"I wouldn't do that, Buck. I know she's been through a lot. She's my friend too. Sorry I got out of line."
Buck watched the blonde rider for a moment, then shook his head, and picked up another cloth to hand to Cody.
"How's your nose?" he asked.
As soon as it was evident that Buck and Cody would get past this, everyone relaxed a bit. Noah returned to his own bunk and began to put away the things he'd been using earlier.
Jimmy and Kid started to prepare for bed as Buck helped Cody clean up. "I really am sorry," Cody said. "I just didn't think..."
Buck cut him off, "I should have known better," he replied. "It's just that everyone in town is talking about her like she really was a ..." he stopped. "What ever gave them that idea anyway? No one from here saw her dressed like that; why would they think she was a saloon girl?"
Chapter Four
Cody shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe someone overheard us explaining to Sam and got the details all wrong. It was mentioned that she had disguised herself to get into the saloon."
Buck looked at Cody a bit confused. "When did you talk to Sam?"
"He stopped by Teaspoon's office the day after we got back; before you and the others made it here. He'd heard about some trouble with the army and wanted to know what had happened so I explained to him."
Buck nodded. "I guess that could be it. I just wonder...do we know if we really captured everyone involved? Maybe someone got away and is still trying to cause trouble for her or her father. I mean, if word got back to the really important men in the army that Captain Moore's daughter..."
"I think Cody's right on this one," cut in Noah. "I remember some of the town's people trying to get into the jail when Teaspoon first went in to explain what had happened. I bet one of them old ladies misunderstood what was said."
Buck nodded once more. "So, how do we get them to understand that they're all wrong about her?"
"I'd just ignore them," said Jimmy. When everyone just looked at him, he added, "If she decides to stay here instead of going after her father, eventually people will figure out that there's no way she was a saloon girl. She's way too proper and shy around people for her to have been one."
The others mumbled their agreement. Buck helped Cody dispose of the bloody rags before getting ready for bed himself. As he lay in bed thinking, an idea struck him. "Kid," he asked quietly.
"Yeah?"
"Do you think it would be possible for you and Lou to do some things with me and Nikki? Teaspoon said we need to spend time getting to know each other, but that we shouldn't be alone. I was thinking..."
"I'm sure we can work something out," Kid said. "Now, get some sleep and we'll talk in the morning."
Morning came and Buck was amazed that he had actually gotten a better nights rest than he expected. Thinking about the evening before, there were a few things he couldn't remember happening. That is until Cody crawled out of his bunk. Cody's left eye was practically swollen shut, and it was so black and blue, it looked like his face had been stepped on by the still wild gelding in the corral.
"Man, my face hurts." Cody exclaimed, as he went to look in the small mirror that hung on the wall. "Holy Cow, no wonder. I look terrible. At least I don't think my nose is broken."
Buck walked over to where Cody was standing. "Cody, I really am sorry about that. I guess I got a little carried away. It's just that I get tired of hearing anyone I care about being made a joke of. I live with that every day, just being who I am. And Nikki, she hasn't done anything to anyone to deserve to be attacked."
"I know Buck, and I truly am sorry, too. I was only funnin' with ya. I wouldn't hurt Nikki on purpose, not after everything she did for us, to help get us out of a bad situation. Just chalk it up to my mouth being faster than my brain." Cody held out his hand to Buck. "Truce?"
Buck hesitated, then took his friend's hand. Shaking it, he gave a half smile. "Okay, truce. But if there is a next time, I'm not going to be so forgiving, and you won't be able to hold me responsible for what might happen." His smile left his face. Believing Cody was being sincere; Buck still felt a slight twinge of anger at what the blond rider had indicated, especially since it was he himself, who had pushed the situation with Nikki. He knew she would disagree, but he felt that all along, he had been the one who initiated most of the intimate touches, except at the dance.
The knock on the bunkhouse door brought Buck out of his thoughts. The women were ready to serve breakfast. Teaspoon was right behind them, and opening the door, he hollered.
"Hope everyone is decent, there's ladies comin' in." Opening the door further, he saw that all the riders were dressed and ready for the day. As they brought in the breakfast, Buck noticed someone was missing.
Cody, never being shy about food, rushed over to take the plate of pancakes from Rachel. "These smell heavenly," he said, as he raised his eyebrows, then winced, as the one on the left made his eye hurt because it was tight.
"Good heavens, Cody, what happened to your face?" Rachel stopped the boy from moving toward the table, and put her fingers gently on the bruised area around his eye. "Who did this?" she demanded, looking around the room at the rest of the riders. Buck started to step forward, when Cody replied.
"C'mon Rachel, it's nothing. I needed to use the privy before morning, and I tripped and hit my face on the footboard of my bed is all. Guess I'm as clumsy as I am cute, huh?" He glanced at Kid who had his hand on Buck's shoulder. Kid grinned and nodded slightly.
"Yeah, the fool woke me up, and I was having a really sweet dream." he winked at Lou.
"Well, it sure made one doozy of a mark on your face Cody." Teaspoon had gotten close enough to examine the injury. He noticed the very intent form of knuckle prints, and knew Cody was lying about what had happened. He glanced at Buck, and could tell by the look on the young man's face that something had occurred here last night. Instead of voicing his suspicions, Teaspoon added. "Buck, I want you to accompany Cody into town, and have Doc Barnes take a look at his face. We want to make sure he don't get an infection in that cut." Cody's face dropped. "Of course, you can eat breakfast first." Teaspoon added, when he saw Cody begin to pout. "The rest of you will be helping Rachel clean house. Lou, you were up for the next run, but I think I'll let one of the boys take it, so you can take Nikki into town to......" he stopped speaking as he felt Rachel's hand on his arm. "Yes, Miss Dunne, did I forget something?"
Rachel looked at him, then turned to look at the riders. "You realize today is Sunday, and I'm expecting the lot of you to go to church with me this morning." her invitation was met with several moans. "After last night, and the fun you all had, I would think that going to church for one hour wouldn't hurt any one of you. In fact," and she looked at Teaspoon, "I'll bet it would be good for some of you. Don't you think so, Mr. Hunter?"
"Well," Teaspoon stammered, "I really need to look into this business venture that 'spose to be good for our town. Ya know, check it out, make sure it's all on the up and up. You know how Bill Tompkins can be, he isn't always....."
"Teaspoon, one hour?" Rachel strongly persisted. "It only takes one hour to show the fine people of this town, that we are just as respectable as they are."
"Okay, you heard her boys, and girl, get done with breakfast so we can prove to the town folk that we ain't all as bad as they think we are. Might even shock most of them if the church don't cave in when we walk in the door." Teaspoon snickered.
"Teaspoon!" Rachel playfully slapped him on the arm.
Buck was still looking for Nikki. She hadn't come in with Rachel and Lou, and he was wondering if she was alright. He stood at the door looking toward the main house.
"Buck, you gonna eat?" Teaspoon asked. Not getting an answer, he got up from the table and walked over to the Kiowa. "Son," Buck jumped when Teaspoon put his hand on his shoulder. Teaspoon looked toward the house. "Come eat." he told Buck.
"She'll be ready when we are to go to church."
Rachel had mentioned to Teaspoon that Nikki hadn't felt like eating breakfast. She had wanted to clean up, and take a sponge bath, before going into town. Teaspoon suspected that it was just an excuse to stay away from everybody for a little while longer, seein' as last night she had been very embarrassed. She still didn't realize the people in this family weren't judgmental, just caring.
"I'm not hungry," Buck spoke, his words quiet. Looking at Teaspoon, he started to tell him about last night. "It was me. I hit Cody......."
"Son, whatever went on last night, seems like it's fine this morning. I just hope you don't turn on your family, cos right now is when you need your family the most. Knowing Cody, he probably deserved some of it anyway." He spoke quietly to Buck, so the others couldn't hear, then winked at him. "You sure you don't want some breakfast? Rachel made some apple syrup to go with the pancakes."
Buck shook his head. "No thanks." Then, as the door to the main house opened, his eyes lit up. There she was, standing on the small porch, lifting her face up to catch the warm rays of the morning sun. Nikki started down the few steps, then as she glanced toward the bunkhouse, she saw Buck standing in the doorway looking her way. She stopped walking, her heart began to race. She saw Buck glance inside the bunkhouse and say something, then watched as he stepped out and started her way, a big smile evident on his face. Nikki's palms were sweating, and she wiped them on her dress. Then she walked a little faster to meet him.
Buck reached her and grabbed her in a hug. Kissing her lightly, he greeted her. "Good morning, I thought maybe you didn't want to see me today. When you weren't with Rachel and Lou, I began feeling......"
Nikki reached up and gave him a small kiss on the lips, then pulled away just a little, allowing him to still have his arms around her. "I wouldn't do that to you. I told you that. I just...I couldn't face everybody this morning. I know, I'm a coward, but I feel so ashamed for the way I acted last night. No wonder people think of me the way they do." She wasn't crying; she was being very honest. "I want you to be proud of me. I want you to be proud to be with me." She smiled at Buck, and pushed his hair back from his eyes with her hand.
Buck was confused, "Me be proud to be with you? I should think it would be the other way around. I want you to be proud to be with me, not ashamed to be with a half-breed. People have a problem with that, you know." He watched her face, as she suddenly looked confused herself.
"Buck, to me you're just a man. I don't think I even know what a half-breed is, and obviously it doesn't matter to me, cos only you matter to me. Do you know that right now, my heart is beating so fast, not because you are standing so close to me," she blushed as she said this, "but because just thinking about you makes me happy?"
Buck moved to step away, but she held him where he was. "I don't want you to stay away from me, I just want you to know, that it doesn't matter how far apart we are, or how close we are, I'm still going to have these feelings. So, I think Miss Dunne, I mean Rachel, and Mr. Hunter.......I think they're right about us taking things slow. That's okay with me, as long as we can still be working on a relationship."
Buck held her close to him. She did smell good, but he would control his urges, so that their relationship could have the chance to grow. "That's all I wanted to hear." he whispered in her hair.
"Well, now that's what I been wanting to hear too." Teaspoon had just walked up to them. Grinning, he put a hand on each of the young people's shoulders. "This, now this is cozy." he was talking about the innocent hugging they were doing. "You give it some time, a good amount of time, before you get as cozy as you was last night, okay?" He winked at Buck, and gave Nikki a squeeze. "And you," he said to Nikki. "You need to quit calling me Mr. Hunter. Makes me feel old. Sides, I thought we done took care of that problem before we got home." he grinned at her. "Now, what should you call me?"
"Mr...." Nikki put her hand to her mouth, her face even more flushed. "Teaspoon. I will call you Teaspoon from now on." Teaspoon started to walk away.
"We better get ready for church." He said. "By the way Miss Moore, you look very nice this morning, doesn't she Buck?"
"Thank you." Nikki answered, then with a mischievous grin she added." And Teaspoon," Teaspoon turned around." You can call me Nikki, please." Grinning, Teaspoon nodded at her, then whistling, he made his way to the barn to help get horses ready for the ride into town.
Chapter Five
Church was over, and except for a few of the hypocritical women who were at the dance last night, most of the town folk welcomed the Express family at the service. Buck had gone, if for no other reason, to be with Nikki, and to show that he didn't feel he was too good to believe in what the white people believed in. He felt that both cultures had about the same belief, just that they had different Gods to which they prayed.
Teaspoon headed over to the jail to check on things. Rachel decided to pick up a few items she had forgotten at Tompkins, and had Lou go with her. It took a little pleading, but Teaspoon allowed Nikki to stay in town with Buck and Cody, while Cody was being examined by the doctor, as long as Buck and Nikki promised to not be alone together for very long. The others, Kid, Jimmy, and Noah headed back to the station. Kid had decided to take Lou's run for her, even though she wasn't enthused about giving it up. Buck and Cody headed over to Doc Barnes office, while Nikki decided to do some browsing in the dress shop that had opened up just before the dance. They had so many beautiful dresses, but the dress that Rachel had altered of her own to fit Nikki, was just as pretty, and hadn't cost a penny. Her eye caught sight of a beautiful yellow dress with lace all over the front sitting against the back wall. She touched the material, and closed her eyes, imagining how wonderful it would feel on her body. She also was imagining herself with Buck in a black suit, being greeted by all the townspeople of Rock Creek.
"Excuse me, do you work here?" the ladies voice startled Nikki, and she opened her eyes, feeling her face get warm.
"No, I...I was just looking at this beautiful dress." Nikki stammered. "I can find the owner if you want me too."
"No, that's quite alright. Wait, I think I saw you at the dance last night. You must have been the entertainment. That was quite a show you put on with that young man in the middle of the dance floor. Do you get paid for that, too?" Kathleen Devlin just couldn't resist the opportunity that had fallen into her hands.
"I wasn't there for....."Nikki tried to answer, but the woman before her looked so beautiful, and so worldly that she felt very inadequate. She started to turn away.
"Did I say something wrong?" Kathleen asked. "Maybe you don't have a job and you need one. My father is starting up a fancy club, and he needs girls who aren't afraid to be aggressive with men. You know, to flirt with them, be friendly. It would help if you could sing too." She was enjoying watching this girl who couldn't get by her, as she was blocking the aisle. "I could take your name, and give it to my father if you'd like me too."
"Excuse me, Mrs. Crandall is the young woman who came in here earlier still here?" Cody asked. He didn't mind wandering into the dress shop. Buck had asked him to go get Nikki, because he didn't feel comfortable around all that womanly stuff.
Kathleen heard Cody's voice, and exited out the back way. Nikki, realizing the other woman was gone, ran from where she had been, colliding with Cody. She was shaking, and she started to cry. Cody put his arms around her, and helped her outside to where Buck was waiting with the horses.
"What's wrong?" Buck asked, as soon as he noticed that Nikki was upset. Cody shrugged. He hadn't noticed anything amiss when he went inside the dress shop.
Nikki stiffened slightly when she heard Buck's voice. She didn't want him to see her crying. He walked over to where she stood with Cody and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Nikki?"
She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and sniffled. "I'm alright," she told him, even though it was obvious that she wasn't. She kept her gaze fixed on his boots. She was afraid if she saw the concern on his face she'd start crying again.
As someone who kept most of his thoughts and feelings to himself, Buck understood what Nikki was doing, but he didn't like it. He wanted her to be able to talk to him when something upset her.
Buck touched her chin with his hand, and tilted her face up until she was looking at him. He didn't say anything, but Nikki realized he wasn't going to let this go.
"It was just...this woman in the shop..." Nikki took a shuddering breath, trying to calm herself. Buck waited for her to finish.
"She must have seen us at the dance the other night. She asked me if..." Nikki looked away again as another tear ran down her cheek.
"What did she ask you?" Buck said gently.
"She asked me if I was a 'working girl'." Nikki laughed bitterly at the idea.
Buck and Cody looked at each other over the top of her head. Why did people have to be so cruel? All you had to do was look at this girl to see that she wasn't worldly at all.
"I'm sorry..." she told them."You must think I'm such a ninny, crying all the time..."
Buck reached out and took her in his arms. As soon as she settled against his chest, the tears started again.
"I don't think that at all," he assured her, as he tried to think of something to say that would be of some comfort. He knew what it felt like to be judged by everyone, and he hated to think of Nikki facing that if she stayed in Rock Creek.
At that moment, Mrs. Crandall approached them. She was a nice woman, but she always seemed to show up at the most inopportune time. This was no exception.
"Excuse me boys?"
"Yes ma'am?" Cody walked over to her, hoping that he could handle whatever it was she wanted and give Nikki some privacy.
"I was hoping to talk to your friend? That little girl that was just in the shop?"
"Well, right now isn't the best..." Ignoring Cody, the older woman brushed past him to where Nikki stood, with Buck's arms protectively around her.
"Miss Moore?" The woman smiled down at Nikki until she noticed that the girl was crying. "Oh my, what's the matter dear?"
Buck gave the woman a dark look, willing her to just go away. Of course, she didn't.
Nikki wiped her eyes and looked up at the plump woman standing next to her. "How do you know my name?" she asked.
"Oh...I was talking to Rachel at church on Sunday, and she said you were staying at the station. She said you're from Baltimore?"
"Yes...yes I am."
"So am I." Mrs. Crandall told her. "We moved here about five years ago, but sometimes I really miss it. I thought if you ever want to talk to someone about home..."
Nikki looked at the woman and saw nothing but kindness in her eyes. She smiled tentatively. "That would be nice. And...please call me Nikki."
"I'm Louise. Louise Crandall. Next time you're in town be sure to stop in and say hello."
"Yes ma'am, I will." Nikki took a deep breath, relaxing a bit. Mrs. Crandall smiled and turned to go, then thinking better of it, she stopped.
"You know dear, I heard what that girl said to you in the shop." Nikki held her breath, waiting for another scathing remark directed at her reputation.
"I don't know who she is, but as far as I'm concerned, those old hens that were at the social....I suppose I have to claim some of them as friends....they got nothin' better to do then gossip. Maybe if any of them had ever had such a handsome boy look their way," She paused to smile at Buck. "they wouldn't have ended up a bunch of dried up old prunes."
Nikki laughed out loud at that remark, and Buck couldn't help but smile.
"Couldn't have said it better myself Mrs. Crandall!" Cody tipped his hat to the shop keeper.
"I just don't want you to think that everybody in town is like they are."
"Thank you," Nikki told her sincerely.
"Well, I've kept you younin's long enough. Dry your tears now and go have a nice afternoon. And Cody," she looked the blond rider up and down, "have somebody put something on that eye. It looks awful!" With that, she bustled back into her shop.
"Feel better?" Buck asked, putting an arm around her again.
Nikki nodded, and let him help her back into the wagon.
Just as they moved to the middle of the street, Nikki gasped, "Oh no!" Buck pulled on the reins, bringing the horses to a stop.
"I don't have my purse. I must have dropped it when..."
"I'll go get it," he offered. Putting the brake on the wagon, he hopped down and headed back to the dress shop.
When he was just inside the door, Mrs. Crandall came toward him, with Nikki's small bag in her hand. "I was just coming out to catch you," she said.
"Thank you." Buck smiled. "And thank you for what you said earlier. Nikki's been through a lot."
"Well, it's obvious you have her best interest at heart, Buck. I'm sure she'll be fine."
Buck could feel himself blushing. "Yes ma'am."
He smiled again and just as he turned to go, a dress on the back wall caught his eye. It was a beautiful pale yellow.
Mrs. Crandall followed his gaze, and then leaned closer, speaking in a confidential tone. "She was admiring that one."
Feeling slightly awkward, Buck said his good-byes and exited the shop. As he got back in the wagon, and headed out of town, he didn't notice that someone in a shop across the street had been watching this whole scene unfold.