Chapter One
Looking down at the trunk that had his initials on top, Buck smiled. It was a big surprise though, only Ike had know how much he’d been wanting one.
“We hoped you might like it,” Kid said.
“How did you know I was wanting one, and that it was my birthday,” he asked his friends.
Teaspoon put his arm around the young man’s shoulders. “Actually son, this here was Ike’s idea. He picked it out, and we placed the order with Thompkins. All of us chipped in for it.”
“But…” Buck started.
“He ordered a couple of months ago. Right before…” Lou’s voice broke and she buried her face in Kid shoulder. It was still hard for them all to talk about Ike without emotions taking over.
“Thank you,” Buck said, his voice hoarse with unshed emotions.
“Well, let cut this cake,” Rachel said as she wiped a tear that had escaped onto her cheek.
Later that evening outside the bunkhouse Teaspoon found Buck. “Son, you ok?” he asked.
“Just thinking, Teaspoon,” Buck replied. Teaspoon knew that the young man wasn’t finished and waited till he was ready to talk. “You know when I first arrived at the orphanage I didn’t know when my birthday was. Shortly after Ike and I became friends, he celebrated his birthday. The nun’s figured that since we were so close that we could share the same birthday.”
“I see,” Teaspoon said. “We didn’t know, Ike never said anything about this being his birthday too.”
“He was kind of mad about it at first. Said it was all he had that was just his. Then as time passed he decided that it was fun, and said that this way he could never forget my birthday,” Buck said. “I sure do miss him.”
“We all do son, we all do,” Teaspoon replied his voice hoarse. Trying to comfort Buck he patted his shoulder as he walked off.
“Marah, you want to go to that auction with me tonight,” Pam asked.
“I don’t know. I have that project to finish for the fair,” Marah replied
“Ah, come on,” her friend and roommate coaxed. “Maybe we can find something to hold all that artsy crafty junk of yours.”
“Oh, ok,” she replied, “but I don’t have a lot of money, so don’t go trying to get me to buy something.”
They arrived early for the auction. As they were looking at the different things that were up for bid, Marah spotted it. It was old and looked very worn. Then her mind went to work. ‘The craftsmanship was fantastic, just a little bit of work and it would look like new,’ she thought. ‘Now if only it will stay within my price range.’
As the bidding started, Pam bid on several items but lost out to higher bidders. “They’re all antique dealers for some of the shops in town,” she whispered. “We’ll be lucky to get anything tonight.”
Marah, though, was watching for the next item, hoping it would be the trunk. “There it is,” she said as she nudged her friend.
“I see,” Pam replied, “you really want that old thing for your stuff? It looks awfully beat up.”
“Yeah,” Marah said, and then added, “All it needs is a little work and TLC, and it’ll be perfect.”
The auctioneer interrupted their conversation with the fact he was opening bidding on the trunk. “Ladies and gentleman, the opening bid on this trunk is $25. Do I have $25?”
Marah signaled him that she would bid that. Then somewhere else someone bid another $10, then it went up to $50. Marah looked down and shook here head. “How much did you bring?” Pam whispered.
“Only a fifty,” Marah whispered back.
“Then we can go to 150,” her friend offered, and then added, “Consider it an early birthday present.”
“Thanks,” Marah breathed.
The bidding ended at $125. Marah’s excitement grew as no one upped her last bid. She wanted to squeal as the auctioneer called, “Going, going. Sold to the young lady.”
As she paid the cashier, Pam tried to pick up the trunk but couldn’t budge it. As Marah bent to grab the opposite end, Pam commented, “I’m glad we brought your Jeep instead of my car.”
“I’m glad I left the top off,” Marah said as they reached the Jeep. “Otherwise I don’t think we would be able to even get it in here.” As they lifted it up into the Jeep, Marah noticed the lock. “Ah, oh, I hope it’s not locked.”
Coming around to the back where Marah was Pam tried the lock. “Looks like it is,” she commented.
“Great, and I don’t see any screws,” Marah said. “Well, guess it’s going to take more work than I thought.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure out a way to get into it,” Pam encouraged.
A week later Pam came running into the living room as she heard Marah shout, “I did it, I did it.”
“Did what?” Pam asked exasperated, but glad to see that her friend was unhurt.
“I got it unlocked,” Marah replied. “Wanta see what’s inside?”
“As long as it isn’t a dead body,” Pam teased.
“Very funny. Come on,” Marah replied. “Ready?” she said when they both were in front of the trunk.
“Only you would get this excited about a bunch of old stuff in a trunk,” Pam teased again. “But you know what? It is kinda fun. Ok, I’m ready.”
As Marah opened the trunk she stared at the contents on top, an old striped faded shirt and a black vest, a pair of buckskin pants, and a hat that looked as if it had seen better days. She gently lifted them away underneath she found an old wooden box wrapped in a faded red bandana. She unwrapped it, finding inside a wanted poster, a watch, a locket, and an old family bible.
“Now that’s a find,” Pam commented admiring the box and it’s contents. “It’s beautiful, so’s the locket. And that watch would make a good Christmas present for your dad.”
“Yeah, it probably would,” Marah replied without much thought. She handed the items to her friend. Next she found a pouch with dried herbs. Then more things a badge that said Deputy and another with Pony Express on it. Under that she found what she considered a real find, an Indian shield. The colors were a bit faded but you could tell the bear on it was supposed to be red, and across from it was a deer.
“Wow,” Pam exclaimed, “that’ll look great in your room.”
“Yeah, by the dream catcher,” Marah said.
“Yeah, I’ll go put it there,” Pam offered as she took the shield from Marah.
“You would think with the way you love to decorate your major would be Arts instead of Law,” Marah laughed at her friend.
“Decorating is just a hobby,” her friend laughed back, as she left to hang the treasure in Marah’s room.
Marah continued to look through the trunk. Next she found a knife in a buckskin case and a gun belt the gun still in the holster. She wasn’t comfortable with this find so she laid them aside and kept looking. In the bottom lay what looked to be a letter. Not sure if she should open in Marah hesitated a moment.
“Well, I’m off to bed,” Pam called to her as she came back in the room. “Find anymore goodies?”
“Dropping the letter back in the trunk, Marah picked up the knife and gun. Holding them up she said, “These.”
“Oh, Shane, will want to see them,” Pam exclaimed. “I told you he’s really interested in the old west.”
“Ok, but he’s not getting them. I think I’m going to hang on to them,” Marah said.
“What ever for?” her friend asked.
“I don’t know maybe for the same reason that brother of yours want them,” Marah replied.
“You and your Native American thing, him and his western things. Boy, you two really need to get into the 21st century,” Pam laughed, as she headed for bed.
Marah laughed too and started putting her treasures away.
As Marah herself went to bed, the things she’d found in the trunk kept running through her mind. Maybe that accounted for the dream she had.
She was behind a curtain in a store of some sort. Two men were arguing. One was older and the other was a young man. Suddenly, the younger man shot the older one. Sorrow and rage filled her, the sorrow of losing a father, and anger at the man who had taken him from her. She watched as the young man smashed a lamp on the desk her father had been sitting at and fire spread through the shop as he ran out. The fire started to surround her and she knew she had to escape. Grabbing money from the open safe in a back room, she ran from the burning building, choking on smoke as she went.
Marah awoke coughing like she was choking on smoke. Her heart was racing. She shook her head. That was the most vivid dream she’d ever had. Still shaking a little she walked into the kitchen to get a drink, the images from the dream still flashing through her mind.
Chapter 2
A couple of weeks later Pam looked at her friend as they were getting ready to leave for only class they shared. “You feel ok, Marah?” she asked.
“Actually I haven’t been sleeping well and I’m kinda tried,” Marah replied.
“Why don’t you stay home then? I’ll get the work and notes from class for you,” Pam offered.
“Thanks,” Marah replied, looking forward to going back to bed.
As Pam left Marah headed for her room, but stopped as she walked past the trunk. It was almost finished. She only needed to finish cleaning around the craved letters on the top of the trunk then she could stain and seal it. Thinking there was no time like the present she started working on it.
A short time later she leaned back against the wall to admire her work. The lack of sleep and spending the little bit of energy she had left working on the trunk, took over her eyes slowly drifted closed.
The dream came to her again. She was now standing behind a large boulder watching five men, one of which was the man she had seen earlier. He was the one she was after. Slowly raising a gun she fired at them, but the first shot missed. She tried again but they had all taken cover. Again she tried but only his the wagon. Scared she ran back to her camp.
When she reached it she was shaking. Taking the gun out she looked at it. ‘Why, why hadn’t she learned to shoot better,’ she wondered. Getting out the items she needed she began to reload the weapon. Suddenly she was knocked to the ground. Rolling over she saw a man leaning over her a knife in his hand. It was obvious he was an Indian and she suddenly became afraid.
The man was stunned to find a woman, she could tell. He sat back away from her. She quickly scooted across to the other side of the fire still very afraid.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said.
“Then why’d ya creep up on me with that knife,” she shot back.
Throwing her his coat, he said, “You were shooting at us.”
“I wasn’t shooting at you. I was shooting at Pike,” she said shoving his coat aside. Then looking down she added, “I’m not that good with a gun.”
“You’re one of the people who’s money Pike stole,” he asked.
“No, Pike killed my father. And I’m gonna make sure he pays for it,” she said.
“We’re on the same said,” he said trying to help. “The law’s going to…” she didn’t let him finish.
“The law’s done already tried to hang him once. It didn’t do much good,” she scoffed.
“Laramie’s different from Benton…” he began again.
“Why cause it’s filled with soldiers. There’s a war comin’, they’ve got a lot more important things on their minds then hangin’ Emery Pike. Seems like everybody’s got reasons not to hang him, except me,” she told him, defeat and anger in her voice.
Trying once more he said, “And me.” Realizing he didn’t even know her name he asked, “What’s your name? I’m Buck Cross.”
“Jane Potter,” she replied, “My father was the jeweler in Benton.”
“I would say it’s nice to meet you, Jane,” Buck replied with a smile, “But I don’t like getting shot at.”
“I’m sorry, I just want Pike to pay for what he did,” she apologized.
As he lay down and got comfortable he said, “He will. I think though we need to get some rest now. We can catch up with the other in the morning.”
Jane relaxed and laid down, also. Then giving into her body’s demand for rest, she pulled the coat over her and fell asleep.
At first Buck thought a small animal had entered the camp, then the whimpering became louder followed by Jane screaming. Coming around the fire he gently shook her. “Jane,” he called, but she was too deep into the dream to hear him.
“Daddy!” she screamed louder.
“Jane,” Buck called louder this time, shaking her hard as he did. “Janie.”
Jane woke with a start. She stared at Buck for a moment, not realizing at first where she was. Then as she did she buried her face in his shoulder as she started to cry. “OH, God,” was all she could say.
Buck was hesitant to touch her, recalling what had happened before when he cared. Slowly though the part of him that wanted to care took over. He put his arm around her and patted her back saying, “He’s gonna pay Janie, I promise you that.”
Jane raised her head up, as she looked at him, she realized how handsome he was. His features were so strong. Without thinking her hand came up to caress his cheek.
Buck looked down at her innocent face. She wasn’t a beauty but she was very pretty. “You ok?” he asked.
Jane just nodded. In his arms she felt safe for the first time in days.
He wanted to kiss her, Buck knew that, but he also knew it wouldn’t be right. He started to pull away, but Jane spoke up quickly, “Don’t please.”
“Janie,” Buck said, “I don’t think…”
“Please,” Jane begged, “The dream will only come back.”
Buck knew he was in for a long night as he leaned back against a tree, the young woman clinging to him.
“BLAM!” The door slammed. “Marah!” Pam shouted as she rushed in. “You ok?” Marah jumped up, looking behind her as she did so. “I’ve been trying to reach you for the last few hours? Where have you been?”
“Here,” Marah mumbled trying to shake off the lingering effects of the dream. “I must’ve fallen asleep.”
“I’ll say,” Pam replied, “I’ve been trying to reach you for hours.”
“Really,” Marah felt confused. Usually she didn’t sleep that deep but lately when she was able to sleep there vivid dreams took over. “Sorry ‘bout that. I guess the lack of sleep and all caught up with me.”
“You sure you’re alright,” Pam asked, “You look kind of flushed.”
Marah blushed. “I do,” she said. She hadn’t realized how strong the emotions from these dreams were. And she had to admit that she was very attracted to the man she kept seeing in her dreams.
Chapter 3
As the weeks pasted, the dreams continued to come. In the first one Jane met Buck’s friends. Then the man Pike who had killed Jane’s father was hung but wasn’t. The graveyard at night, finding no one in Pike’s coffin, only sand. Leaving Buck and his friends in the cemetery and Buck not going after her as she ran away. Pike, injured, coming up on her at her camp. Pulling a gun on him and Buck stopping her from shooting him. Buck taking her in his arms again, holding her. Safe that was how she felt when he did that. Then her telling Buck how glad she was that Pike was dead. Buck telling her to think of her father and put Pike far from her mind.
Finally reaching Sweetwater, and going to her aunt’s. She wrote him often from there short notes at first then longer letters. Buck wrote back telling her of his life and his friends, then of his friend Ike’s death. She wrote back telling him how sorry she was for him and how she wished she could be with him. Later when she found out about Lou and Kid’s wedding she sent a gift. Then shortly after she received a letter telling her of his friend Noah’s death, she knew she just had to go to him, that he needed her.
Each night Marah looked forward to what the dreams would bring. It was almost like a life she had lived before, if she believed in that kind of thing. The last dream came just a week before the fair and the long awaited visit of Pam’s brother. The dreams hadn’t come for a couple of nights, so Marah found herself wishing that they would return. As she closed her eyes, something told her that tonight would be the last time she saw Buck in her dreams. Anxious to, but not wanting the dreams to end, Marah fell into a restless slumber.
“I’m going,” Jane told her aunt.
“If you leave to go to him, don’t expect to be welcome back here,” her aunt replied.
“What do you have against him?” she asked her aunt for the millionth time it seemed.
“He’s a savage and a heathen,” came the too familiar reply.
“He’s an express rider and…” Jan was tried of putting up with her aunt’s prejudice. “Ok, then, I won’t come back!” she shouted at the old woman, and stomped off to pack.
The next morning she caught the first stage out. Two days and several layers of trail dust later, she reached Rock Creek. As she stepped from the stage she saw Buck talking to Jimmy in front of the Marshal’s office. Buck’s back was to her, Jimmy smiled as she approached. She overheard Buck saying, “Jimmy, it ain’t funny. Cody’s leaving with the Army.”
Still looking past Buck’s shoulder, Jimmy smiled. “No, it ain’t. But she sure cleans up nice, almost as good as Lou.”
Buck spun around. At first Jane wasn’t sure if he was glad to see her or not. That was until she saw him smile at her. “Hi,” was all she was able to get out before he swept her into his arms. As he pulled back to look at her again, she saw all the pain he was trying hard to hold inside. “It’s ok, Buck, I’m here now,” she told him.
“Are you staying long?” he asked her, afraid of her answer.
“As long as Rock Creek needs a seamstress I am. I’ve decided to use the rest of my inheritance to open a dress shop,” she told him.
“Here?” he asked.
“Don’t you think Rock Creek could use one?” Jane teased him.
“Of course,” he replied his heart feeling lighter each time she smiled at him. “Where are you staying?” he asked.
“The hotel, I guess,” she said.
“No, there’s plenty of room at the station. Besides the hotel is not one of the best,” he told her.
“Are you sure Rachel won’t mind?” Jane asked not sure.
“Let’s find out come on,” he said as took her hand and pick up her bag with his other hand and headed toward the station.
As the reached the station Buck called out, “Rachel!”
“Out back, Buck,” came the reply.
Buck led Jane around the house. “Rachel, look who’s moving to Rock Creek,” Buck said as they reached Rachel.
“Janie,” Rachel said as she hugged the young woman. “It’s good to see you.”
“I told her she could stay with you,” Buck said. “It’s ok, right?”
“Of course it is,” Rachel said.
“I plan on getting a shop so I won’t need to stay long,” Jane said feeling a little awkward.
“You can stay as long as you needed,” Rachel offered.
“I’ll pull my own weight,” Jane said, not wanting to impose on Rachel.
“Of course you will,” Rachel replied with a smile. “Do you know where you want to put your shop?”
“Not yet,” Jane answered.
“Then we’ll look for a place for you tomorrow,” Rachel said.
“Thank you so much,” Jane said relief evident in her voice.
“Buck take her bag on up to the house so we can get her settled. Janie here looks plum wore out,” Rachel told him.
“See, I told you it would be fine,” Buck said as he led her up to the house.
A couple of weeks later Jane had found a shop and ordered the items she needed form Tompkins. Late one afternoon she was finishing up a few things around the shop when Buck stopped by. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I know I promised to take you to dinner tonight. But Teaspoon asked me to take a run for Jimmy since he’s not back from Seneca, yet,” Buck answered.
“Is that all,” Jane laughed, “I thought something was really wrong.”
“You don’t mind?” Buck asked.
“Oh, I mind,” she answered, “but it is your job. Just promise we’ll have dinner when you get back.”
Relieved she wasn’t mad, Buck smiled. “It’s a short run,” Buck said. “I should be back by late day after tomorrow. So how about the following night?”
“That’s perfect. I plan on that being the first day I’m open for business. So we can make it a celebration dinner,” Jane said excited.
Buck couldn’t resist, he pulled Jane close and kissed her. Then realizing what he was doing backed off saying, “I’m sorry, Janie. I shouldn’t…”
She stopped him there by placing her fingers on his lips, and then returned his kiss. When the kiss ended she said softly, “Buck Cross, I think I’m falling in love with you.” She watched him for his response, then added, “I know about how you’ve been hurt. I’ll wait till your ready. But it doesn’t change how I feel. Now good night, and ride safe,” she said as she pushed him out the door.
The next morning Tompkins sent a boy over to tell Jane that her orders were in. As she started to leave the shop she ran into Lou. “Hey, Louise,” she called out.
“Hi,” Lou greeted, “you coming out to the station for dinner?”
“Sure am,” Jane replied, “ I just have to stop by the bank first.”
“Good, we can walk back together but I need to see Doc Adams first,” Lou said.
“Is everything ok?” Jane asked concerned for her new friend.
“Yeah,” Lou said not wanting to tell any one her suspicions yet.
“Well, I need to get over to the bank before it closes,” Jane said. “Meet you back here in say an hour?”
“Sure, see you in a bit,” Lou said as she headed for the doctor’s office.
Jane thought about how much she was beginning to like this town as she walked towards the bank. She greeted neighbors and Teaspoon as she passed the Marshal’s office. She had made the right decision, she decided as she neared the bank. Mr. Sims held the door for her as she entered. It crossed her mind about how handsome he was, but not as handsome as Buck. As she waited in line she heard someone else enter, then the familiar click of a gun.
“Alright folks this is a hold up!” the man shouted.
Little Allie Sims started to cry. The man yelled at her to shut up. Then everything happened at once. Mr. Sims was shot then the man turned to shoot Allie. Without thinking Jane jumped in front of the little girl. The last thing she saw was the man falling and Kid in the doorway. She called to him with her last breath, “Tell Buck, I love him.” Then she began to move toward the beckoning light.
Marah sat up with a start. It was pitch black in her room. Looking at the clock she noticed it was only 3 am she had only been asleep a few hours, but it felt like ages. Flashes of the dream ran through her mind. She plopped back on her pillows as tears coursed down her cheeks for Jane.
Questions began to run through her mind. Did he make it home from the run? Who told him what had happened? How did he take it? What had happened to Buck? Would she ever know the answers to her questions? Lying there she wept silently as she slowly drifted off in to a dreamless sleep.
Chapter 4
It had been a couple of weeks since the last dream, since she had seen and felt death take her away. She’d tried to find out what had happen to her love, even when as far as to go to Rock Creek State Park in Nebraska, but had only found that he had once worked for the express there. Nothing else.
Shaking off the depression that seemed to always consume her when she recalled what had happened over the last few months. Marah began to pack the crafts for the fair in the newly finished trunk.
As she started to fill the trunk she bumped it with her leg. Looking down she saw a piece of paper fall from the side of the trunk where it must have been stuck in a crack. Opening it up she began to read.
My Janie,Teapsoon and Rachel left for Texas today and Jimmy headed east the day before. Even Kid is thinking of heading out for Virginia soon. Lou doesn’t want him to go and has a good reason, she found out the day we lost you that she is expecting. I’ve decided to leave this so-called civilized world myself. I’m joining my brother, Red Bear. He’s leading some of our people deep into the mountains to a place he hopes no white men will be able to find.
Looking back on the last few months I’ve come to realize I’ve lost so much. First Ike and Noah, now you. I never thought I would ever care for anyone as much as I did you. And now I’ve lost you. You’ll never see this but I need to let you know what you meant to me. I never thought a tomboy, besides Lou, could ever look so beautiful. Your smiles were like were like the sunrise and I miss them.
I blame myself in a way for your death. If I hadn’t of taken the ride for Jimmy, then I might have been at the bank with you. I heard how brave you were protecting little Allie Sims from the outlaws. I knew something was wrong when I rod in and teaspoon was there instead of you. Oh, how I miss you.
I have to go now, it’s getting late and I’m leaving early in the morning. Janie, my love, you and my family here at the station were the best parts of this white world.
Buck
Looking down in the trunk Marah spotted a photograph that had fallen when she opened the letter. There was her twin standing next to the man in her dreams, her Buck. Turning it over she read, Janie and I 1862.
The littlest bit of doubt that had plagued Marah since the dreams had stopped vanished. She knew now that his love had been as strong as hers. That his love had reached across time to tell her why she hadn’t found anything of him.
Drying the tears that had run down her face she locked the trunk. Then she started to drag it out of the apartment and down to her Jeep. She knew getting it into the Jeep would be difficult but she needed to get to the park and get set up for the fair.
When she reached the Jeep she bent to lift the trunk. Her first attempt told her it wasn’t going to work it was just too heavy. Sitting down on it she sighed, “Just great!” Now what was she going to do. She wasn’t going to get to the park on time. Placing her head in her hands she closed her eyes.
“Need some help there,” someone asked.
“I sure could,” she said as she opened her eyes, grateful for the help. The first thing she noticed since her head was down was his boots. Then as she slowly raised his she noticed tight black jeans, a lavender shirt and black vest. Telling her heart not to get ahead of itself she finally looked at his face. “Looks like you could use a hand,” he said as he walked up.
Before she could answer him, Pam called from her car, “Hey, I told you to wait till I got back, Marah. That trunk’s heavy enough empty. Oh, I see you’ve met my brother, Shane.”
Shane answered for her, “But I think we’ve already met.”
Marah found her tongue then, “I think we met a long time ago, a very long time ago.”