THEIR FATHER’S DREAM
PART 5
MARY BOLTON & ROBBIE WOOTEN
Sarah couldn’t believe the waterfall. Never could she remember seeing
anything so beautiful! She’d had no idea that it was even out here.
The leaves were turning their fall colors. Blazing reds and oranges
greeted their eyes. Sarah looked in awe at the falls in front of her.
The water tumbled down many, many feet from a rock cliff. There was a
large pool at the bottom, and Sarah was sure that it would be a
wonderful place to swim in the summer time.
Trees encircled the entire area. Though it was very large, one felt
very safe and secure there away from prying eyes.
“This is beautiful. No wonder you keep mentioning it.” Jimmy helped
Sarah down from the buckboard, and they walked over to the pool.
“Buck comes here to git in touch with his spirits. Don’t much blame
‘im. If’n I was a spirit I couldn’t think of a more beautiful place to
stay.”
“There are several smaller falls around on the other side. I’ll take
you around there after we eat.” Buck had slipped an arm around
Melissa’s waist, and he pulled her a little closer. She smiled. She
loved it here.
Melissa and Sarah spread the quilts out that they had brought along,
and the men settled down awaiting the feast that they had prepared.
There was cheese, fruit, a loaf of bread, chicken, butter, and jam.
“It smells wonderful,” Jimmy smiled at Sarah.
“Thank you kind sir,” Sarah stated as she returned the smile and handed
him some of the chicken. Melissa was busy pouring everyone something to
drink.
They spent a little over an hour eating and talking. No one was in a
hurry. It was nice to just sit and relax and not have to worry about
anything. The sky was so blue, and the waterfalls so lovely. Everyone
was content to just sit and be close to one another.
The ladies cleaned up the meal and Sarah walked a little ways from them
to throw away the scraps of food. When she returned, Jimmy reached up
and pulled her down into his lap. She giggled as she landed rather hard
on his legs. He leaned near and started to kiss her neck. Sarah wiggled
a little closer to him.
Melissa had closed up the picnic basket, and had started to sit down by
Buck. Instead, he stood and reached for her hand. “Come on. Now looks
like a good time to show you the other falls!” Reaching for the quilt
he had been sitting on, Melissa folded it quickly, and he led her
towards the pool.
“You didn’t like Jimmy and Sarah’s company?” she grinned and he laughed.
“Looked to me like we were about to be ignored anyway! Besides, I want
to spend some time alone with you.” He pulled her near and kissed her.
For a moment, she stood looking up into his eyes. Something told her
that it would be an interesting afternoon. Without another word, he
took her hand in his and started towards the closest waterfall.
Sarah had seen Melissa and Buck leaving. She’d also seen her take the
extra quilt. That told her that they would be gone for awhile. They
probably wanted to spend some time alone together. Her thoughts turned
back to Jimmy, who was kissing her in earnest.
She was still sitting on his lap, and she turned more to face him, his
lips caressing hers gently. Her arms went up around his neck, and she
ran her fingers through his hair. She suddenly had this wild urge to
tear off all his clothes and make love to him! She’d never had such a
thought in her entire life! His kisses were making her hot with desire,
and she knew that she wanted more from this man. Was he willing to give
it to her?
Jimmy was having much the same thoughts. Sarah was sitting sideways on
his lap. Her bottom was moving ever so slightly against his manhood. He
lifted her easily and she straddled his body. Her skirt inched up
around her knees. Buck and Melissa had gone; the two of them were
alone. He knew what he wanted to do with this lady…right here, and
right now. But would she let him?
Sarah could feel his body coming alive. From the position she was now
sitting, she could feel his fully aroused state between her own legs.
As she continued to kiss his lips, she rubbed against him ever so
slightly. Jimmy groaned, deepening the kiss.
Her hands began to unbutton the shirt that he wore. She wanted to feel
his skin beneath her palms. In seconds, she had his shirt completely
unbuttoned, and she leaned down to caress a nipple with her tongue.
One of Jimmy’s arms was around Sarah’s waist. The other was busily
caressing her left breast. When her head bent down to caress his
nipples, he knew he needed to feel her own skin against his. Today was
going to be very different between them.
While her lips were raining kisses here and there on his face, he
unbuttoned her blouse, quickly freeing her breasts. Wasting no time,
his mouth found the tight pink nipples, pulling them one after another
inside, biting them softly with his teeth. Sarah groaned, rubbing her
lower body against his again.
Her hands began to remove his shirt, brushing it off his shoulders.
He’d lost himself in her breasts, rolling them with his hands, kissing
them, kneading them. Sarah tugged several times on his arms with the
shirt before she got him to let her remove it. Then her hands roamed
over the smooth skin of his shoulders, arms and chest.
Jimmy pulled the blouse out of the top of her skirt and slipped it from
her shoulders. It joined his shirt at the bottom of the quilt. His lips
took hers again, and he lay back on the quilt taking Sarah with him.
Jimmy wondered, as he kissed his way down Sarah’s body, how he was
going to get through all the layers of clothing that she still wore.
Getting the blouse off hadn’t been as much of a problem as he had
expected. His hands pushed the skirt that she wore high about her
knees, caressing her thigh.
Sarah was unaware of anything except Jimmy. He’d pulled her down on the
quilt and she was now lying nearly underneath him. The weight of his
body felt so good, so natural to her. His hand inched closer to that
secret place which no other man had ever touched before. She
instinctively arched her body to meet his hand.
She moved her hands down Jimmy’s arms, around his back to his chest.
They came to rest on his hips, ant it was then that he realized that he
was still wearing his guns. He rolled to his side and unbuckled them.
They were placed nearby, and he quickly turned back to her. Reaching
for him, she pulled him down fully on top of her body.
As bodies met and skin touched, Sarah’s nipples bore into Jimmy’s
chest. They both felt as if lightening had struck them. Their bodies
began to move against one another’s, the passion mounting between them.
Sarah’s hands moved to the top of the pants Jimmy wore, and began to
unbutton them. He was caressing her breasts again. He loved the feel of
them…so perfect, so soft. Leaning near, he kissed them, and then rose
up to allow Sarah to slip his pants from his hips, freeing his very
aroused manhood. Her hands came back up his slim hips, to caress him.
Jimmy drew in a sharp breath. Her touch was feather light, and he knew
that she could drive him wild in mere seconds.
Slipping his hand between them, he pulled at the under garments that
she wore. In moments, he had them down her hips and his fingers were
touching her. She was so wet as she pushed against his hand.
“Oh Sarah, I want you so…” he whispered, then lightly ran his tongue
around the inside of her ear. She shivered slightly. Then his finger
was entering her. The feelings that were suddenly running through her
were like a fire. He was taking her to heights that she had no idea
existed.
Jimmy had a feeling that Sarah was a virgin, but he wasn’t sure. He’d
only made love to one other lady in his life, and she hadn’t been. He
would try to go slow, but with the way that she was moving against him,
he wondered if she had done this before.
Sarah reached for Jimmy, pulling his mouth down to hers. Her hips moved
against his hand, as he probed deeper into her body with his fingers.
He heard her whisper, “Please Jimmy, make love to me.”
Looking down into her eyes, he saw the want and desire that matched his
own.
Removing his fingers from inside of her, he positioned himself between
her legs and slowly began to enter her. Sarah knew that her first time
would be painful. She also fleetingly thought that they shouldn’t be
doing this, but she knew that she didn’t want him to stop. This was
right. This was what she was supposed to do! She was going to love
Jimmy until neither of them could stand it any longer!
He eased into her, only to pull back several times. Each stroke took
him a little deeper. He felt her body tense at the same moment that he
met with resistance. Looking down into her eyes, he spoke softly, “If’n
you want to stop…” He knew what that resistance meant, even
though she was the first virgin he’d ever lain with.
But she didn’t give him time to finish. “No Jimmy. I want to make love
with you. Please don’t stop.”
That was all he needed to hear. She began to kiss him again, her hips
arching up towards his, making entrance into her body easier. He thrust
again, and he felt her jerk beneath him. Slowly, he pressed her to the
ground. Letting her get past the pain that he knew she was feeling,
thought she hadn’t uttered a sound.
She could feel him inside her, and it was wonderful. She forgot about
the pain and started moving beneath him. He really had meant to go slow
with her, but once her body started to squeeze tightly around him, he
knew that he was lost. There was no way that he could control the
movements. His body took over.
They moved together in a slow rhythm that began to grow faster and
faster. Her legs opened wider and she pulled him deeper inside as she
grasped his behind.
Hips pounded hips, their breathing becoming uneven. Sarah felt a
rolling surge moving through her body. She had no idea what was
happening to her, but she knew that she was working towards something
that was going to be more wonderful than anything she had ever
experienced.
Sarah’s insides tightened, and then exploded. She felt as if she were
falling through space as she experienced her first climax. Jimmy was
right behind her. Their groans echoed around them, then they were both
silent as they lay exhausted, neither willing to move. Jimmy was still
a part of her, and he had no desire to break the contact.
Slowly Sarah opened her eyes. Jimmy’s head was lying on her shoulder
and she reached up to brush the damp hair from his face.
“It was beautiful Sarah…so beautiful!”
She smiled, her eyes closed again. He had said the words against her
shoulder. “Oh no Mr. Hickok, it was more than beautiful. And I want to
experience it again and again!”
He rose up and looked down into her eyes. She had a gorgeous smile on
her face and he threw back his head and laughed. He couldn’t begin to
describe how he felt at that moment. He wanted it to last forever.
He slipped from her body and Sarah whimpered and reached for him,
“Don’t leave me.”
He pulled the remainder of his clothes and boots off, and reached to do
the same for her. “I’m not goin’ anywhere beautiful lady!” Standing, he
reached down and picked her up, carrying her to the pool. The water
felt so good to her fevered flesh. She sighed against Jimmy, who still
held her in his arms.
Letting her slip down his body, she came to rest with her feet on top
of his. He immediately captured her in his arms and started to kiss her
again. She returned the kisses, knowing full well what this would lead
to.
Buck and Melissa had walked towards the waterfall. For a moment they
stood watching it. Then Melissa felt a tug on her hand. Buck was
leading her directly into the falls it seemed.
“Buck…where are you taking me?” she looked a little worried.
“Don’t you trust me?”
“It isn’t that. I’m not that great a swimmer.” She had pulled back on
his hand and they had stopped at the edge of the falls.
“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t let anythin’ happen to you. Come on. You won’t
even git wet!” He moved once more towards the falling water.
Melissa was sure that they were going to drown as they walked directly
into the falls. But in seconds they were behind the water! Melissa
couldn’t believe her eyes, as she looked out through the falling water.
Turning, she realized that they were in a cave like area. She had never
seen anything like it before.
“See, I told you that you wouldn’t git wet!” he smiled as she continued
to look around.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Come on. The rock wall circles around. There are falls on the backside
of this also.” Taking her hand once more, he led her out from the other
side. Melissa was amazed again at the beauty of the place. “This is one
of my secret places. I’m not even sure Jimmy knows it’s here. Look…” he
pointed to a secluded pool surrounded by rocks and trees where the
falls emptied from their high ride over the rocks. It was smaller than
the one out front. As she gazed out over the pool, she realized that
they were completely surrounded by high rocks.
“Your own private pool! It’s wonderful!” Once more turning around and
taking in all the beauty, Melissa was awe struck.
Buck smiled. “OUR private pool! There ain’t no other way to git to it
‘cept through the back of the falls.”
“It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. How did you know it was here?”
“Ike and I found it back some time ago. We were riding out here trying
to git away from the world. We jist lucked up on it I guess.”
“Have you ever shared it with anyone?”
“Other than Ike…no. You are the first. I jist never found anyone that I
cared enough to invite to my private place. Sure Jimmy knew that I come
to the front falls, but if I really wanted to git away from everyone, I
would come here, and no one could find me…if I didn’t want them to.”
Melissa was relieved to learn that she was the first lady that had ever
seen this with Buck. For some reason, she had been holding her breath
as he told her the answer. She didn’t like to think about Buck with
another woman!
Melissa spread the quilt out, and sat down silently. She patted the
spot beside her, and reached up to pull Buck down.
“You miss Ike terribly don’t you?” She watched as the hurt went across
his face.
“It’s beginin’ to ease now. It has been almost a year. The time seems
to have gone by faster than I thought it would. There was times I
thought Ike was the only person who understood me. I mean, Rachel,
Teaspoon and the other riders did, but not the way Ike did. He seemed
to be so much like me. Like we had the same spirit or somethin’.”
“Guess it would be something like what you feel with Sarah?”
He looked up from the grass that he had been playing with at the edge
of the quilt. For a moment he was silent. He knew that she understood
some of the Indian ways since her grandmother had been Indian. “I guess
so. She understands how I feel about certain things. She and Ike would
have been fast friends.”
Melissa looked out at the waterfalls. She wasn’t jealous of the thing
that Buck and Sarah had together. She understood that everyone needed
someone to feel close to. In Buck’s case, he needed it a lot more than
most.
Buck reached over and lifted her chin with his finger tips. Her silence
worried him. “Does the fact that I feel a closeness with Sarah bother
you?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. I understand that it’s a
different feeling what you have for her and what I hope you have for
me.” She looked into his eyes.
“It’s very different.” He leaned closer and captured her lips with his
own. “Sarah and I’ll always be friends. We can lean on one another if
the need comes. I guess it comes the closest to takin’ the place to
Ike. Though I will never forgit him.”
She nodded. His hand caressed her cheek. “With you lady, I feel so many
feelings. At times it feels as though my heart will burst it’s so full.
Ike would have liked you too.” He pulled her close and she laid her
head on his shoulder.
For awhile they sat in silence. Just enjoying the feel of one another
so near. Melissa closed her eyes and her mind wandered over the times
that they had been so close over the last few days.
Buck was thinking along the same lines, and reached once more to pull
her face up to his. Their lips touched, her arms slipping around his
neck. Slowly, he lowered her down onto the quilt, his mouth never
leaving hers.
Melissa could feel the strong stirrings start deep inside. The feelings
that were always so close to the surface when Buck started kissing her.
She let the yearnings spread over her, take a hold. She somehow knew
that this time there would be no turning back.
He slowly unbuttoned the blouse that she wore, his lips caressing the
flesh that his hands exposed. When her breasts were free, his mouth
found them one at a time, his tongue rolling the nipples, his hands
kneading their soft flesh. Melissa groaned as he lightly nibbled at
them, sending bolts of lightening through her body to her very soul.
As Buck pushed her blouse and undergarments off her shoulders, Melissa
reached to undo the buttons of the shirt that he wore. It soon found
its way to the bottom of the quilt and her hands caressed his smooth
chest. Leaning closer, she flicked her tongue over a nipple and she
felt his groan as it erupted from his body.
His hands left her breasts to move further down her body, pushing the
skirt up above her thighs. For a moment, as his lips still caressed
hers, his hand glided over her legs and upper thighs. Then, he drew the
under garments that she wore slowly down over her hips, his fingers
brushing over the soft hair at the junction of her thighs…the place
that only he had touched before.
Reaching down, she first unbuckled his gun belt, and he took it from
around his waist. Then her hands went back to the pants that he wore.
Her trembling fingers took very little time to undo the few buttons
that held them together. Slowly she worked them down over his body. His
very aroused manhood was free, and she reached to caress him. A groan
filled the air around them.
His hand went back to the junction of her thighs, and his finger
slipped inside of her. Her body arched of its own accord towards his
hand. What was he doing to her? She felt his finger deep inside of her
and her body began the age old dance, pulsing to new life.
She continued to caress him, running her hands up and down his shaft
until she could stand it no longer. The things his fingers were doing
to the inside of her made her cry out. She forgot everything else.
His lips took her mouth again and their tongues did battle with one
another. Their breathing was uneven. Once more taking him into her
hand, she drew him to the spot where his fingers were buried deep
inside of her. Removing them, she led the way for him to enter her. She
knew that the joining of their bodies would bring them to new heights.
For only a second, her thoughts lingered on the fact that they
shouldn’t continue this. Then he began to enter her. Her legs spread
wider to receive him, and each push took him a little deeper. Then he
touched her resistance. Pulling slowly back, he hesitated for only an
instant. He could feel Melissa pulling him back towards her again. That
was all he needed to assure him that this was what she wanted. His next
thrust broke the inner seal and she cried out softly.
Melissa felt as if she’d been torn apart. Buck’s body pressed her down
in the quilt and for a moment, neither of them moved. The pain subsided
as quickly as it had come, and Melissa began to move under him.
Buck took up the rhythm, and started moving inside of her again.
Thrusting deep, giving her all that he had to give.
Her body had taken over. She groaned loudly as each thrust took him
further inside. Their bodies arched into one another’s and the rhythm
increased. Placing his hands underneath her, Buck raised her higher to
accept more of himself. They both began to cry out as hips pounded hips
and they came closer to their first climax together.
Melissa could feel him deep inside of her. It was a glorious feeling.
She moved with his every move, thrust with his every thrust. She felt
as if all the blood was rushing to her head. In moments she exploded,
falling, spinning down in slow motion towards the earth.
Buck thrust one last time, spilling his life seed inside of her,
calling out her name as the last shudder of his climax rushed through
his body. Then he too was falling back to earth. His weight settled
fully on top of her.
For a moment, neither moved. Their breathing returned to normal after a
few moments, their hearts beating together. Buck opened his eyes and
looked down at her. “Oh Melissa, I knew it would be wonderful between
us!” He kissed her brow and she smiled, her eyes still closed.
“Wonderful? No. That doesn’t begin to describe it!” She opened her
eyes, and looked up. There was a beautiful smile on his face. She
brushed the damp hair back behind his ear. Then leaned up to kiss his
lips. “I wish that we could stay here like this forever. That the world
would just stop and let us get off.”
He sighed and he rolled to his side, gathering her into his arms and
pulling her with him. “So do I. But we cain’t. We’ll jist have to find
time to spend with one another like this as often as we can. Now that
I’ve tasted you, I know I cain’t deny myself for very long!”
She leaned up on elbows, over his chest. “And you think I can?” She
started kissing him, kicking the remainder of her clothes off and to
the bottom of the quilt. Her lips started at his mouth, then traveled
down over his body. Slowly nibbling here and there with her teeth. She
pulled the rest of his clothes off, along with his boots. Then she
worked her way back up his body with one goal in mind…making love to
this magnificent man again!
Sarah’s legs were wrapped around Jimmy’s waist, her head thrown back. A
loud groan escaped from her lips as he settled her down onto his very
hard arousal. His legs were braced apart in the sand of the pool, and
he maneuvered her up and down along his throbbing flesh. It had never
been this good before. But he didn't have time to think about it now as
he felt himself getting very close to the edge once again.
Sarah ran her fingers through Jimmy’s hair, grasping handfuls as each
powerful thrust took her deeper into the throws of bliss. Nothing else
registered but the two of them. Their bodies were one. They had one
goal in mind. Reaching that ultimate pinnacle together.
Their bodies shuddered together as they last spasm of passion rippled
through them. For a moment, Jimmy stood still, letting his body slow.
His legs were weak and he was unsure if he could move or not. Sarah had
collapsed against him. Her arms were around his head, and his face was
buried in her breasts.
Removing himself from her, he slipped her down his body back into the
water. They still clung to one another as they rested,their breathing
becoming normal. Then Sarah pulled away from him and swam to the other
side of the pool. Jimmy watched her go. She was so gloriously beautiful
in her naked state. And she was all his. He pushed away from the side
of the pool and swam towards her. Catching up, they playfully splashed
one another. Jimmy chased her around in the water. Turning, she dunked
him. Sarah couldn’t remember ever having such a wonderful time.
After having made love to Melissa the second time, Buck picked her up
and carried her down to the pool. The cool water washed over her body,
and she shivered slightly. He let her go and she swam the short
distance to the other side. Buck followed and they played together for
awhile.
Melissa wondered what all the church people would have to say if they
knew that they were there together, doing these things? She knew that
they wouldn’t be pleased. But there was no where else that she would
rather be than right here, right now, in this man’s arms. It was
perfect. No matter what the others had to say about it.
“I thought you told me that you didn’t swim that good.” Buck had moved
over to where she was in the water.
“I don’t. I’m usually afraid of water. But this isn’t that deep. I can
touch the bottom anywhere that I stand.”
He laughed as he reached for her. He rubbed slowly against her, and she
sighed. “I know one place you cain’t touch bottom.” He was already hard
again, and he knew that he wanted to bury himself deep inside of her
again.
“Where’s that?” She linked her arms around his neck, and was surprised
when he picked her up and slowly sat her down on top of his hardness.
“Right here!”
She groaned as she felt him slip inside her. She immediately started
moving, drawing a moan from deep inside of him. She wrapped her legs
around his waist and they were one for the ride. It wasn’t long before
he came deep inside of her. She loved the feel of him there.
The afternoon sun was soon dipping low in the west. Jimmy and Sarah
were laying together, part of the quilt wrapped around them. “I would
prefer to stay right her with you forever, but I guess we should be
thinkin’ bout headin’ back. Rachel will have supper ready round sunset.”
Sarah sighed. Leaning up on elbows above him, she kissed his lips.
“It’s been so beautiful here with you this afternoon Jimmy.”
“Yeah, it has. Ain’t gonna be easy to tell you good nite neither.”
She smiled. “I know. I guess we best get dressed before Buck and
Melissa come back and catch us like this.”
They kissed one another one last time, then sat up to find their
clothes.
On the other side of the falls, Buck was holding Melissa close in his
arms. Her head was on his chest, her eyes closed. She had lost count of
the times that they had come together that afternoon. It had been
heaven.
The air was getting cooler, and Melissa opened her eyes to see that the
sun was getting low in the west. “I guess we should start back. It will
soon be dark. The air is getting cooler.”
“I guess you’re right. But I hate leavin’ all this behind.” He pulled
her face around to his, and his mouth covered hers. The familiar
feelings started to stir again, but she pulled away.
“If we don’t get up now, we’ll be here all night!” He kissed her again,
savoring the feel of his lips against hers.
“Ummm, come on. Jimmy and Sarah will think we’ve gotten lost!” She
reached for her clothes and started to dress. He watched as she covered
all that beautiful skin of hers. He found himself wondering how soon he
could get her to reveal it to him again!
Jimmy and Sarah were putting things back in the buckboard when Melissa
and Buck returned from the other side of the falls.
Sarah smiled their way as they walked up hand in hand. “Have a nice
afternoon?”
Melissa blushed slightly as she nodded. “We figured we should head back
before you two came looking for us.”
Sarah blushed a little around the edges as she whispered. “No offense,
but I don’t think we would have noticed if you hadn’t returned!”
The ladies smiled that secret smile of theirs and both knew what the
other couple had been doing all afternoon.
Teaspoon wasn’t surprised to see the four of them come riding in at
near sunset. Noah had informed him that Jimmy and Buck had gone off
with their ladies midday. There was something a little different about
them all. Teaspoon couldn’t really put a finger on it, but it was
there. Jimmy seemed so much more at ease around Sarah…like he’d let all
the walls down for once. That was totally unusual. Teaspoon wondered
what had caused it, and he wondered how long it would last! With Buck
and Melissa, he wasn’t surprised by their actions towards one another.
He had been a little worried what would happen with them after the blow
up at the church yesterday, but it seemed that everything was okay.
Buck and Jimmy accompanied the ladies back to the ranch after supper.
Neither wanted to tell them good night, however, they couldn’t figure
out a way around it. They may have all known what happened at the
falls, but none of them was willing to admit it yet by spending the
night.
The ladies were up till the wee hours of the morning, talking about
what had taken place that day. Sleep didn’t come easy. Neither could
put their thoughts or feelings to rest.
Buck and Jimmy had ridden half way back to the station before either of
them spoke. Their minds were on Sarah and Melissa. Jimmy was the first
to break the silence.
“Did you and Melissa….uh, did you…” He stopped, not knowing how to ask
the question.
Buck looked his way and grinned. He figured he knew what Jimmy was
wanting to ask. “Well, did you and Sarah?”
“Well, uh, yeah…we uh…we did.”
Buck smiled at the sound of embarrassment in Jimmy’s voice. Neither of
them were used to talking about things such as this. “Yeah, Melissa and
I did too. It was beautiful. I shore didn’t want to tell her good
night!”
“Me neither. I ain’t never felt this way a fore Buck. Sorta scares me!”
“Me too. But I ain’t gonna spend a lot of time worrin’ over it. It
feels too good for that!”
“Yeah, I guess you’re rite! All I’m real shore bout rite this minute,
is I cain’t wait till it happens again!”
Buck laughed. “Then we best figure out some way for you two to be
together at nite. Maybe she can go horse buyin’ again!” Buck smiled his
friend’s way.
“That’s an idea! I’ll jist have to talk to her bout that!”
The following morning, Melissa decided to ride over to the station. Her
excuse was to see Rachel about one of her receipts. But she knew, as
did Sarah when she made mention of it, that she was really going over
in hopes of seeing Buck. Sarah waved her off, telling her to send Jimmy
out if she saw him.
Cody was in the yard when Melissa arrived. She didn’t see anyone else
around and she felt let down. Cody, as usual, was thrilled to see her.
“Well, what brings such a purty lady such as yourself to our station
this mornin’?”
Melissa smiled his way as he reached up to help her down from the
buckboard. “I came calling on Rachel. You know, gonna do some of that
girl talk stuff.”
Cody grinned as he leaned near to kiss her cheek. “Well you shore are
lookin’ purty this mornin’!”
Melissa blushed. Cody was such a sweet talker, and she felt her heart
flutter a little at his words. “Well thank you kind sir! Care to escort
me to the door?”
“My pleasure.” He held out his arm and she slipped hers through his.
They walked towards the house, and Cody stopped several feet from the
porch. “I been meanin’ to come out and talk with you Melissa. I was in
hopes that you and me could git together this week. I shore do want to
take you out again.”
Melissa fell silent. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Yet she
didn’t know how not to. She gazed his way. “Cody…it isn’t that I don’t
like you, cause I do. You’re sweet, kind and very loveable. But…”
He sighed as he looked at her. “It’s Buck ain’t it? You been sweet on
him from the beginnin’ ain’t you?”
“Well, I…”
“I saw it. I jist didn’t want to believe it.”
“Yes Cody. I care a great deal about Buck.”
“I knowed it! Ah well, what can I say? I ain’t none to pleased bout it.
But I guess the rite man won!”
“We can still be friends can’t we Cody? I mean, I really do like you an
all!”
“Shore. We can be friends. If’n you ever need anything, you jist look
ole’ Cody here up!” He smiled and leaned over to kiss her cheek once
more. “I best go tell Buck what a lucky man he is!” He walked her up
onto the porch, opened the door for her, and was gone.
Melissa sighed. She hoped she didn’t hurt him too bad. She heard pots
and pans rattling in the kitchen so she headed that way. “Rachel, you
busy?”
Cody hurried to the bunkhouse. Noah was out on a run, and he knew that
Jimmy and Buck were still inside. Opening the door, he grinned Buck’s
way.
“Man let me tell you…the purddiest little thing jist rode up in the
station yard. I hurried rite over an asked her out.”
“Who was it Cody?” Jimmy was looking his way grinning.
“Didn’t have time to find out. Told me she already belonged to someone!
You’re one lucky man Buck!”
Buck grinned. He hadn’t known until then that Cody was talking about
Melissa. “Melissa’s here?”
“Shore is. Went in to talk to Rachel. Somethin’ bout some girl talk! I
weren’t interested in that, so I left!”
“Well that saves me a trip out to Sarah’s. I was going to see if she
wanted to go with me to see Dancin’ Hawk. I’ll see you two later.”
Still grinning, Buck hurried for the door, pulling his hat off his bunk
as he flew by.
Cody looked towards Jimmy. “I guess I was blind that I didn’t see it a
fore now! Some a yous should a told me that Buck was sweet on her!”
“Sometimes we cain’t see things for the nose on our faces Cody! I jist
hope it all works out for ‘em!”
Melissa and Rachel were sitting at the kitchen table talking about
cooking when Buck came flying in the door. “Well good morning to you!
What you in such an all fired hurry for Buck?” Rachel grinned. “As if I
didn’t know!”
“Cody told me that Melissa was here.”
“Yes, so?” Rachel was still smiling his way. He was turning his hat
round and round in his hands. “Your point is Buck?”
He had been gazing at Melissa since he’d first walked in. She was so
beautiful sitting there. All he could think about was yesterday at the
waterfalls. She blushed slightly as he continued to stare at her.
“BUCK!” Rachel shook her head as she tried to snap him out of this
trance. She giggled.
“Oh, sorry. I wanted to tell you that I was going to the Kiowa village
to visit my brother Red Bear this mornin’. Should Teaspoon need me,
that’s where I’ll be.” He was just about to ask Melissa if she wanted
to go, when she jumped up from the table.
“Oh Buck, could I ride along? It’s been so long since I was in an
Indian village. I would love to go! Do you think that your brother
would mind my coming?” She seemed so excited about the prospect of
getting to go. Buck was somewhat surprised that it seemed to mean so
much to her to get to ride along.
“Well, I don’t think he would mind. I ain’t never taken anyone with me
when I went to visit. But I think he would like to meet you.”
“Oh this is so wonderful!” She turned to Rachel with this big smile on
her face. “Can we continue our talk later?”
“Of course! Run along and have a good time.”
Melissa smiled and reached for Buck’s hand. Her heart was pounding a
mile a minute. She couldn’t believe how excited she was about going to
the village. “Is Jimmy here?” She looked towards Buck.
“He was a few minutes ago.”
“Sarah told me to have him come out and see her. I can send word with
him that I’ve gone with you to the village, so she won’t worry.”
“Okay. Let’s go find him.”
They found Jimmy at the corral, saddling his horse. “Jimmy could I get
you to do a favor for me?”
He finished tightening the cinch and looked at her over the horse’s
back. “Shore can.”
“Would you take the buckboard back to the ranch for me? Tell Sarah that
I’ve gone with Buck to visit his brother at the Kiowa village. Not sure
when I’ll get back. She might need the buckboard. Besides, she told me
to send you out that way if I ran into you.”
Jimmy grinned. He’d been planning to go visit her. He wanted to ride
out before Teaspoon caught up with him and put him to work! “Be my
pleasure Melissa.” He led his horse towards the buckboard.
Buck was busily saddling a horse for him and Melissa. He handed her the
reins, and they lead them out of the corral. Melissa being the last out
paused to latch the gate. Buck hurried over to Jimmy, who had just
finished tying his mount to the back of the buckboard.
“Jimmy, you know I usually spend the nite at the village when I go to
visit my brother. I don’t have a run for a few days. So tell Sarah not
to expect Melissa home tonite.”
Jimmy grinned, nodding as he climbed onto the buckboard. Slapping the
reins on the horse’s back, he headed for Sarah’s. If Buck and Melissa
weren’t coming back that night, then he could plan to stay with Sarah!
Happily he hurried towards the ranch.
Buck and Melissa chatted back and forth on their way to the village.
Melissa told him most of what she remembered from her grandmother’s
village. It had been a long time since she had been there. Buck didn’t
think that Red Bear would mind his bringing a stranger among them,
especially since she was his woman. He assured her that everyone would
accept her there.
It took about an hour to reach the valley where his brother’s village
was. Buck topped a rise and drew his horse to a halt. Melissa stopped
her mount beside his. Looking down into the valley, Melissa was in awe
at the beauty that greeted her eyes.
There were what seemed hundreds of teepees scattered along side the
river. Some, she could tell from the distance, had brightly painted
scenes or animals on them. Shade trees covered most of the area. Women
were working by fires, some cooking, some working to prepare hides for
clothing for the coming winter. She remembered the people at her
grandmother’s village doing the same things. Oh how she had missed all
of this.
A look out had spotted them and had called to Red Bear that his brother
was approaching with a white woman. Red Bear was standing just inside
the village, a smile on his face. It had been awhile since his half
brother had been to visit. His gaze ran over the white woman that rode
by his side. What was she doing with him? She was very beautiful with
her flaming red hair and slender figure.
Buck kicked his horse into motion again, and he led Melissa down
towards the village. She watched as children came running from every
direction to welcome Buck. Several of the children handed her flowers
as she rode by. Their smiling faces making her feel very warm inside.
She knew this was their way of welcoming her.
They stopped in front of a very tall, handsome man. Melissa realized
that this was Buck’s half brother. He wore buckskin leggings, a
breechcloth, and moccasins. His straight, black hair hung well below
his shoulders and many feathers were intertwined in it. His broad chest
glistened in the sunlight, and he wore several necklaces bearing teeth
and claws from animals around his neck. He looked very intimidating,
but Melissa had a feeling that he could be very kind if he wanted to
be. She wasn’t afraid of him as he gazed up at her. She smiled down at
him, and he nodded.
Buck dismounted and the two embraced one another. Melissa listened to
their conversation. It was in broken English and some Indian. Though
she didn’t know the meaning of the Indian words, she could pick up on
most of the conversation.
“It is good to see you my brother Running Buck again! It has been two
moons since you were last here.”
Buck smiled. “It has been awhile. I have only a few chances to git away
from the express station for more than a day at a time.”
Red Bear embraced him again. Then grinning, he looked up at Melissa.
“Who have you brought with you Running Buck? She is very
beautiful!’ Red Bear’s intent gaze made Melissa blush.
“This is my woman, Melissa Crawford. When she learned of my travels to
visit with you today, she asked to come along. Her grandmother was of
the Cherokee. It has been a long time since she was among the people. I
hope that you do not mind that I have brought her.”
Melissa’s head sang as Buck’s words were spoken. He’d called her his
woman. It thrilled her to her very soul!
Red Bear smiled as he listened to his brother. If her grandmother had
been Cherokee, then the young woman was part Indian herself. She would
be good for Running Buck.
“It is good that you have brought her here to meet us. You are both
welcome to stay as long as you like. Your teepee is waiting for you as
always. This will be the first time that you have brought someone to
share it with!” Red Bear grinned as he noted Melissa’s blush. He knew
that she had understood what their conversation had been about. “Come,
join us. We have much to talk about!”
Buck turned and helped Melissa from the horse. One of the young braves
came forward and took the reins of the horses and led them towards a
corral.
Jimmy rode towards Sarah’s ranch, a broad smile still playing on his
face. Today would be a good day. He was going to spend it with Sarah,
doing anything that her heart desired. As he neared the ranch, he
spotted her sitting on the top rail of the corral.
Sarah was lost in thought. Since yesterday, she couldn’t seem to think
of anything other than Jimmy. She couldn’t get herself to work, to do
chores, anything. All she wanted to do was sit and day dream! She
didn’t hear the buckboard approaching until it was nearly upon her.
“My, my. If’n I’d a wanted to, I coulda grabbed you up and run off with
you! You ain’t doin’ nothin’ but sittin’ here day dreamin’!”
Sarah had been thrilled to see him. She blushed at having been caught
off with her dreams. “Well, it’s all your fault Mr. Hickok!”
“My fault? Now jist how do you git that?” He swung down from the
buckboard and walked over to her. He placed his hands on her thigh and
rubbed lightly. A shiver ran up her spine, and it was all she could do
not to fall off the rail.
“You are the reason I’m sitting here day dreaming. I can’t seem to get
anything done for wanting to think about you!”
Jimmy grinned. “Ummm, I think I like that idea!” He pulled her off the
rail and into his arms, kissing her slowly. She stepped closer to him,
and their bodies rubbed against one another in that intimate way.
Breathing heavily, she stepped back from him, trying to gather her
wits. “What brings you out my way?”
“I thought you wanted to see me? Melissa said you did!”
Sarah laughed. “Yeah, I told her to send you if she ran into you. Where
is she anyway? She had the buckboard.”
“She went with Buck to the Kiowa Village to visit his brother Red Bear.
She asked me to bring the buckboard back in case you needed it.”
“Won’t she need a way home tonight?”
“Well, if’n she was goin’ to be home tonite, Buck would bring her. But
Buck told me to let you know that he’s plannin’ to spend the nite at
the village. So they won’t be back till some time tomorrow. You’ll be
here all alone tonite!” He pulled her back into his arms and kissed her
again.
“I don’t think so. I have a feeling I can talk a certain Mr. Hickok
into staying and keeping me company!” she smiled as she leaned up to
kiss his nose.
“You jist mite be able to at that! In the meantime, what’s say we git a
few things done round here. Were you plannin’ to daydream all day?”
She laughed. “Well, the thought had crossed my mind. But I need to ride
into town and pick up some supplies, then get back here and mend a
fence or two.”
“Okay then, let’s git a move on. We’ll never be done by sundown if we
don’t. We can ride into town and while the supplies are bein’ loaded,
I’ll treat you to some lunch at the hotel.”
“Sounds wonderful Mr. Hickok. Let me get my list. I’ll only be a
minute.” She hurried towards the house. Jimmy stood watching her until
she disappeared inside. Then he untied Cisco and put him in the corral
with the other horses. Yes, today would be a good day!
Sarah gave herself a last look in the mirror and hurried back outside
to her man. She was so happy that he had come. She was going to enjoy
today and tonight to the fullest. She thanked Buck silently that he had
invited Melissa to go to the Indian village with him. She dearly wanted
to sleep in Jimmy’s arms tonight!
Melissa truly enjoyed her day at the village. Buck and Red Bear spent
most of it talking, catching up on each other’s lives. Red Bear
introduced Melissa to his two wives, Morning Flower and Autumn Wind.
She didn’t wish to intrude on Buck’s time with his brother. Morning
Flower and Autumn Wind seemed to understand this, and they took her
under their wing. They taught her many things that day. Since she had
only been a little girl visiting her grandmother’s village, she didn’t
remember many things from their culture. Her two new friends taught her
how to weave baskets, how to make a few of the staple foods that the
Kiowa ate, and how to start tanning hides that would eventually be made
into articles of clothing.
Between the two women, Red Bear had four children ranging from the age
of 6 months to four years. Melissa enjoyed helping to care for them.
She was sitting in the shade of Red Bear’s teepee when Buck came
looking for her. She was holding Red Bear’s youngest son, cradled in
her arms, rocking him and humming softly. He had just fallen asleep.
Buck smiled as he watched her caress his chubby cheeks, a beautiful
smile on her face. She was going to make a wonderful mother
someday.
Buck had also noticed several other things about Melissa that day.
While he and Red Bear had been sitting away from the teepee talking
together and with the other braves of the village, he had kept watch on
his lady. Autumn Wind had braided her long hair into two perfect fat
braids. She had spent much of her day working alongside the women,
learning about his culture, about this part of his heritage. She didn’t
seem to be offended by anything that Red Bear’s wives were showing her.
It made his heart sing with pride as he watched her prepare lunch
alongside the others and then serve him when it came time to eat. He’d
smiled up at her with eyes full of pride, and she had blushed as she
had walked back with the two women to the teepee.
Now as he watched her sitting cross-legged in front of the teepee,
rocking his nephew, he realized that she could slip into this life so
easily. Her grandmother had been right. She could live here as easily
as she could in the white man’s world. He had a feeling that she would
be willing to come here as often as he wanted. It would give them a
chance to spend some time together, away from the others. He made a
decision to talk with her about it later that evening.
Leaning down, he touched her shoulder. She looked up startled, then
smiled, placing a finger over her lips for him to be silent. He smiled
and reached down to take his nephew. Returning him to his mother, Buck
reached for her hand and pulled her up from the ground.
“Red Bear wants to talk with you.”
Melissa looked up at Buck startled. “What about?”
“I ain’t shore. He jist mentioned that he wanted to spend a few minutes
alone with you. Ain’t nothin’ to worry bout. He approves of you!” He
slipped his arm around her shoulders.
“Approves of me?”
“He knows you’re my woman. I think he jist wants to git to know you a
little better.”
Melissa swallowed quickly as they walked towards Red Bear. He was
standing by a large fire pit where he and Buck had spent the morning
talking. Autumn Wind had told Melissa that this area was where the
council met to make their important decisions. She smiled his way and
he reached out to take her hand in his.
“Walk with me?”
She nodded and Buck released her. “I’ll be waitin’ here on you.”
Red Bear lead her towards the river, still holding her hand. She
wondered what was on his mind. He was silent for so long.
“You are very beautiful Melissa. My brother Running Buck is a lucky
warrior.”
Melissa could feel her face turning warm. Looking up she was once again
struck by his good looks. “Running Buck?”
Red Bear realized that she had probably never heard the name. “It is
his Indian name. He only uses it here. Do you love Running Buck?”
Melissa blushed again. “I’m not sure Red Bear. I think that in time it
will be that way. We haven’t known one another that long.”
“Running Buck tells me that you are part Cherokee. Your grandmother was
Indian?”
“Yes, I spent a lot of time with her when I was a child. I didn’t
realize until today how much I had missed being among the Indian
people. They are all so wonderful. I truly love your way of life here.
I only wish that the whites could live in peace with you.”
“That will never be. They come and take what they want with no thought
to us. To what belongs to us.”
“It’s so sad Red Bear. I wish that everyone could have the chance that
I have had to know the Indians. The people of Rock Creek don’t accept
Buck as part of them. They see him as a half-breed.”
“It will always be that way for Running Buck. He knows that he can come
and live here with us any time that he wishes. You are also welcome,
any time. You are good for my brother. He comes alive when you are
near! You should marry and raise a family soon.”
“We’ll see Red Bear. I have no idea what the future holds for us.”
“The Great Spirit, he has great things in store for you and Running
Buck. Wait and see. There will be a celebration tonight here at the
village in honor of my brother’s visit and to welcome you into our
family. You will come often to visit with us. You should have an Indian
name.”
Melissa was stunned that Red Bear would want to welcome her into his
family. Equally so that he wanted to give her the special honor of
another name.
“I think that Gray Eyes fits you. I’ve never seen eyes the color of
yours.”
She smiled. “Thank you Red Bear. I will carry the name with pride.”
He smiled at her. Yes, she was a good mate for Running Buck. She would
show his people only kindness. They walked around the water’s edge and
came back to Buck. The sun was setting in the west, and the air was
growing cooler. A large fire had been lit in the fire pit.
“The celebration starts soon. Come, Morning Flower will show you where
you can change.”
Melissa looked down at the dress she wore. “But I have nothing else to
wear.”
“They will provide. Come.” She smiled at Buck as the three of them
walked towards the teepee.
It was then that Melissa saw the silver wolf and her pups. She was
nursing them between the teepee of Red Bear and Two Feathers.
“Oh Buck…look.” She hurried away from them, and Red Bear quickly made a
grab for her.
“No, do not…” But it was too late. Melissa was already on her knees by
the wolf. Reaching out to pet first her and then her pups. Red Bear
watched in shock.
The look of terror on his face faded. He watched Melissa gently stroke
his pet wolf’s head and neck. He could not believe that she was letting
someone other than himself near her. Even his wives and children
weren’t allowed to touch her!
“Red Bear, what is it?” Buck had seen him make grab for Melissa as she
had gone towards the wolf. Then he had seen the genuine worry on his
face for her safety.
“I can not believe it! No one has ever been able to touch Silver Wolf
or her pups but me! She belongs to me and will have nothing to do with
any of the others. They are all afraid of her. Gray Eyes is very
special Running Buck. Even the animals know it.”
Buck beamed with pride as he watched Melissa playing with the wolf and
her pups. Gray Eyes. If Red Bear had given her an Indian name, that
meant that she was one of them. He had truly accepted her into his
family. Nothing could have made him happier.
The pups were licking her neck and face, and Melissa loved every second
of it. But all too soon, Morning Flower cautiously approached and
pulled on her sleeve. It was time to dress for the celebration.
Melissa gave the family one last look and followed Morning Flower into
Red Bear’s teepee. Once inside, she handed her a doeskin dress and a
pair of moccasins. Morning Flower motioned for her to change, and she
left her alone.
The doeskin dress was very soft and beautiful. Melissa slipped the
dress she wore over her head, and quickly replaced it with the new one.
It was decorated with many colored beads. She smoothed it down over her
hips and sat down to put on the moccasins. Pushing her braids back over
her shoulder, she stood up and left the teepee.
Buck was totally shocked by the transformation that had taken place.
Melissa was even lovelier dressed as an Indian maiden. He reached for
her hands and pulled her near. “You are beautiful Gray Eyes!”
She smiled up at him. “Your brother told you?”
“Yes. He’s accepted you as part of his family. It is a great honor for
you. Come join in the celebration. They will dance in our honor. The
feast will be great. Then we will slip away to my teepee, and send the
nite in one another’s arms!”
A shiver ran down Melissa’s spine as she looked up at Buck. She
couldn’t wait to be in his arms again.
Jimmy and Sarah had a wonderful day. They rode to town for the
supplies, visited Teaspoon at the Marshall’s office, had lunch at the
hotel, and then took their time returning to the ranch. Neither of them
felt as if they had any reason to hurry and they decided to enjoy the
day to the fullest.
Back at the ranch, Jimmy helped unload the supplies and they started on
the fences that needed to be mended. They stopped every now and then to
sit under a shade tree, drink some lemonade and just gaze at one
another.
Once while sitting together, Sarah started to giggle. “What’s so
funny?” Jimmy nudged her with his boot.
“No one, but no one, would believe me if I told them that Jimmy Hickok
had spent most of the day sitting under a shade tree, daydreaming with
a woman!”
He laughed too. “I guess you’re rite. I ain’t never been one for such
as that. Course a fore I met you, there was a lot of things I weren’t
interested in!” He leaned over and kissed her lips. “See what you’ve
done to me?”
She smiled. “That’s okay. I like you just the way you are Hickok!” She
snuggled close in his arms and they sat silently for a few more minutes.
Jimmy’s mind wondered over their last words. Just what had Sarah Brooks
done to him? He wasn’t anything like he had been two days before. He
was a totally different person. It wasn’t safe for him to be acting
like this.
He shoved the thoughts from his mind. He wasn’t going to think about it
now. Being with Sarah was what he needed for today.
Near sunset, Sarah headed inside to start supper. Jimmy fed the horses
and bedded Cisco down for the night. Then he headed inside to join his
lady.
“Do you need to ride back to the station and tell Teaspoon or Rachel
you’ll be here with me?”
Jimmy looked her way. “Now do you really want me to ride back an tell
‘em that I’m a spendin’ the nite with you cause Melissa is spendin’ the
nite with Buck at the village?” He was standing in the doorway his
hands folded across his chest, this silly looking grin on his face.
“I guess that wouldn’t be such a good idea would it? I just didn’t want
them to worry none.”
“They won’t. Besides Teaspoon and Rachel know that Melissa went with
Buck to the village. If’n they really wanted to, they could figure out
where I am and what I’m doin’!”
She smiled as she watched him in the doorway. She could get really used
to Jimmy being here with her.
She served him a wonderful home cooked meal of stew, baked beans,
vegetables and apple pie. He ate till he was stuffed. Leaning back from
the table he rubbed his stomach.
She smiled. “I’m glad that you liked it.” She walked over to where he
sat and crawled onto his lap. “While I clean up the table and kitchen,
why don’t you drag the tub in the living room by the fire. I’ve got
water heating. Thought I might take a bath. Care to join me?” She
leaned near kissing his lips, and rubbed her breasts against his chest.
Jimmy groaned. He couldn’t take much of this sweet torture.
“Ummm, sounds like a fine idea to me.” She kissed him again, then
slipped from his lap to clear the table. He stood and watched her. She
stopped and looked back his way, her arms full of dishes. “Better
hurry, or I’ll be finished before you’re ready!”
He grinned and headed to get the tub. His insides were already on fire
for the want of her.
The tub was filled and waiting, when Sarah walked into the living room.
Jimmy was standing in front of it, wearing nothing but his pants. Sarah
slipped over to him, putting her arms around his waist from behind.
“Hey good looking. Got plans for tonight?” She lightly kissed his back
and a shiver ran down his spine.
“Only if you have little lady!” He turned in her arms and slowly began
to undress her. It took very little time to have her standing naked in
front of him. Leaning near, he kissed her slowly, and he felt her hands
going to the buttons of his pants. They too found their way to the
floor and they stepped into the tub of steaming water together.
They took turns washing one another’s bodies. Lathering up the
washcloth and washing each other’s back.. It wasn’t long before the
bath was forgotten. They were both on fire for one another.
Jimmy stood up lifting Sarah out of the tub in his arms. She reached
for the towels that she had placed nearby on a chair and quickly rubbed
their bodies dry. He carried her towards the bedroom, pausing to let
her lean over and blow out the oil lamp. Then they found the bed, and
spent a wonderful night refreshing their memory of the things that they
had started at the waterfall.
Melissa had been busy helping Morning Flower and Autumn Wind take the
food they had been preparing most of the day to the fire pit. The sun
was sinking lower in the west, and Melissa realized that she hadn’t
seen Buck in the last hour. He had disappeared some time ago with Red
Bear.
Buck had gone to his teepee to change. When he was with the tribe, he
usually donned the traditional dress. Morning Flower had given him Gray
Eyes clothes from their teepee. He placed them beside the sleeping
pallet, and stood for a moment looking around the interior of the
teepee. Soon he would bring Gray Eyes here. He smiled again as he
thought of his brother giving her an Indian name. It suited her well.
It would be hard to think of her as Melissa from now on. He quickly
undressed, and replaced his white clothes with his moccasins and
breechcloth. It would be the first time that she had seen him dressed
as the Indian that lived so very strong in him. What would she think?
Would she be repulsed to finally see him for what he was? He honestly
didn’t think so. But there was always that chance one took. Sighing, he
lit the fire that he had laid earlier in the pit, and placed a few more
pieces of wood on it. He wanted it to be warm when they returned.
The other braves were beginning to bring their families towards the
fire pit. Melissa searched the faces for Buck. As she stood near Autumn
Wind, movement across the pit caught her eye. Buck emerged from a
teepee to the left. Her heart nearly stopped at the sight of him.
She had always thought Buck Cross was gorgeous. From the very first
moment that she had laid eyes on him. But she had never seen him
dressed in anything but white man’s clothes, until now.
She stepped away from the others, and could do nothing but stare as he
approached her. He wore moccasins, a breechcloth, and two silver arm
bands on his fore arms. Nothing more. His bronze skin glistened in the
glow of the setting sun. Her heart beat quickened. A strip of beaded
leather held the long brown hair back from his eyes, and she found it
hard to breathe as he stopped in front of her.
Buck could see the affect that his appearance was having on her. His
own heartbeat quickened as he stopped in front of her. He was ever so
glad to see that she was far from repulsed by his state of dress, or
should he say undress? “What is wrong Gray Eyes? Have you never seen an
Indian brave before?”
She swallowed quickly, licking very dry lips. “I’ve never seen one look
so good! I must say it makes me think of other things besides the
celebration that we have been invited to!” She had whispered the words
to him, her breath catching in her throat as he reached to caress her
cheek.
“Soon, very soon Gray Eyes, we’ll be all alone. Then you can
concentrate on those things which your body so desires. My teepee is
only a few yards away.” He nodded towards the teepee that he had just
left. Melissa looked its way and noticed for the first time that it had
a scene of running deer painted on it. Her eyes swung back to him, and
she could read his thoughts. He was thinking about the same things that
she was. They stood just gazing at one another until Red Bear appeared.
“Come. It is time to celebrate. There will be time for other things
later.” He smiled their way, and Melissa knew that he had been watching
them. He was aware of what would happen between them also, before the
sun rose in the east.
Though Melissa had spent much of the day helping to prepare the food
for the feast, she couldn’t believe the amount of food that had been
put out to be eaten. She wasn’t sure what all of it was, but what she
sampled, was delicious. It was very different from what she was used to
eating. Buck laughed at her as she made faces at some of the unfamiliar
tastes. She and Buck were sitting with Red Bear and his family in the
place of honor.
Red Bear was dressed in his finest for the evening. He wore knee high
moccasins, a fur robe that had been decorated with many colored beads,
and a beautiful headdress with hundreds of feathers that spoke of his
rank among the people gathered there. Morning Flower and Autumn Wind
were very proud of their husband, as he rose to address the assembled
tribe.
He spoke of many things, but mostly of his brother Running Buck, whom
he was very happy to have among them once again. Then he welcomed
Running Buck’s woman, Gray Eyes, into his family. He assured her that
she would always be respected and protected as long as she was among
them. Melissa could understand most of his words, but Buck helped her
with what she didn’t know. By the end, there were tears in her eyes, as
Red Bear leaned near to kiss her cheek.
After all the speeches had been said, and everyone had eaten their
fill, the dancing began. Many stories were told through the dances.
Buck explained what each brave was telling as he swayed and jumped to
the beat of the drums. Indians had a very different way of dancing, and
Melissa found it very beautiful, not to mention fascinating. She found
herself swaying to the beat of the drums more than once as she watched
the warriors who seemed to be light as fathers dance around the fire
pit.
Soon many braves and their mates were getting up to dance. Melissa felt
herself being pulled up from the ground by Buck. Red Bear motioned for
the two of them to join in the dancing. She wasn’t sure that she could
copy the movement of the dancers and was hesitant to join in at first.
Red Bear assured her that all she had to do was away to the beat of the
drums and the rest would follow naturally. Still not sure, she followed
Buck into the dancers. Red Bear smiled as he motioned them on.
At first she tried to watch the others and do what they were doing. But
it soon became apparent that none of them were doing the same
movements. Buck was watching his feet and trying not to step on her
toes as they danced around the fire pit together. He hadn’t done this
many times himself. Melissa tried to do the same things that a woman to
her right was doing, and she lost her balance. She fell full into Buck
and he laughed as he reached out to steady her.
Their eyes locked, and Buck knew that she was the most beautiful thing
in the world to him. Her face was flushed from the fast paced movements
of the dance and the heat of the fire. The drumbeat seemed to change
and become more sensual, if that were possible. Melissa forgot about
everyone else there. It was only she and Buck.
Her body began to sway to the rhythm. She forgot about trying to copy
the others. She was dancing only for Buck now. She made it what she
wanted it to be. She dipped and swung her hips towards him. Her body
vibrating in sensual words of it’s own that only his body could hear.
She danced closer, slipping her arms around his neck. They touched
intimately, brushing together, then swaying apart. Buck watched her
movements and felt his body coming alive as she teased and tempted him.
Did she know what those movements were doing to him? She brushed
against him again and he reached out to pull her closer. Her body
molded to his, and they moved together as one. Touching, swaying,
pulsing to the beat. The passion rose between them. It was so strong
one could almost touch it.
Buck leaned near and kissed her neck, and she shuddered in his arms.
She was hot with desire. She needed to feel him within. If his body
brushed against hers so intimately again, she knew that she would
explode.
White-hot fingers of desire curled around him. Leaning near, he reached
to pick her up. His lips found hers, and for a moment they stood still.
Then he was carrying her away from the fire. Away from the other
dancers, to a place where they could be alone.
Red Bear smiled as he watched his brother and his woman dancing
together. Running Buck’s feelings for Gray Eyes were very apparent in
his eyes. Red Bear watched a few of the braves begin to carry their
mates away from the celebration. He knew there would be much
celebrating in the teepees as well that night.
As his gaze swung back to Running Buck and Gray Eyes, he wondered if
his brother had tasted her pleasures yet. Their bodies were dancing the
dance of young love. He had a feeling that they had known those
pleasures together before. As they would know them tonight. He smiled
again as he watched Running Buck pick her up and carry her towards his
teepee.
Buck leaned down and entered the teepee. For a moment, he stood still,
letting his eyes adjust to the semi darkness. Melissa had her arms
tightly wrapped around his neck, and she leaned closer kissing his
lips. She moaned softly, as he carried her towards the center of the
teepee.
Lying her down on the fur pallet, she reached to pull him down on top
of her. Their mouths joined again, the passion flaring high between
them. Buck’s lips touched her eyes, her neck, her shoulder. Then he was
leaning up to pull the dress that she wore up and over her head. He was
startled to learn that she wore nothing beneath it. His hands traveled
slowly down over her upper body, teasing her breasts and moving lower
to her thighs.
Melissa reached to pull him closer, her body arching to his, wanting
desperately to fill him within. In one swift movement, he pulled the
breechcloth from his body and threw it to the side. Then his body was
pressing her into the soft furs. It’s texture against her skin adding
to the sensual feel of the moment.
Her legs opened wider to accept him, and in one swift thrust he was
inside of her. One for the ride, they took each other to the edge and
then plunged off the other side into the deep river of love.
Melissa could feel her body rushing towards her point of release. She
moaned Buck’s name, and clutched him closer, his thrusts taking him
deeper
inside of her. His lips scorched her upper body, each kiss hotter than
the one before.
Buck knew he was close to the breaking point. Melissa’s body was
twisting beneath his, and he thrust again, sending his seed deep inside
of her body. He called out to her, and clutched her closer.
Slowly they returned to earth, holding one another. Melissa lay still,
Buck still a part of her. This was paradise. Never had she felt so
content, so loved. She opened her eyes and looked at Buck. His head was
cradled on her breast. She silently wished that they could stay there
forever.
Buck stirred and looked down into her eyes. His lips touched hers, then
he buried his head in her neck whispering, “Oh Gray Eyes, I wish that
we could just stay here forever. Where there are no troubles. Where we
were free to come and go as we please.”
She smiled, reaching out to brush the damp hair from his face. “I’ll
come here with you as often as you want. I feel so at home here.”
He rose up caressing her cheek with his fingers. “Red Bear will always
welcome us here. This could be our escape from the white world.”
“All you have to do is tell me you’re ready to come here. I’ll be
beside you.” She leaned near to kiss him and he rolled to her side
taking her with him.
For the first time she looked around the teepee. The light from the
smoke hole at the top was dim, but she could see enough to tell that
the teepee was roomy. There was a fire burning in the fire pit. Buck
must have lit it earlier when he had changed. Lodge poles held a bow
and arrow, and several other things that she couldn’t make out in the
darkness.
Buck’s body was warm against hers on the fur pallet. She could still
hear the drums beating near the fire pit outside, and her mind wondered
over the day that she had spent among Buck’s people. She relaxed, and
drifted off to sleep. Protected and warm in her lover’s arms.
A few hours later, Melissa woke with a start. For a moment she didn’t
know where she was. Then she remembered. A smile covered her face as
she felt Buck’s arms around her tightly. She felt a presence, and she
turned her head to the left.
Her grandmother was standing there looking down on the two of them.
There was a beautiful smile on her face. “This is how it should be my
child. Trust this man that holds you so close to his heart.” Then she
vanished.
Buck stirred at Melissa’s side. His mouth found hers in the darkness
and she moved on top of him. Their loving started again and carried
them through much of the night.
Jimmy woke from a sound sleep. His eyes fell on Sarah, cuddled close to
his side. The covers had been kicked down to the bottom of the bed. He
let a hand drift down her arm, and across her hip. She stirred and he
pulled her up on top of his body, his lips waking her from sleep.
Sarah moaned, slipped her arms around Jimmy’s neck. It was so nice to
have him here with her. How could she talk him into staying forever?
He flipped her to her back and his hardness began to enter her. She
opened to him, pulling him deep inside. There was nothing more
beautiful than waking to love.
Jimmy moaned her name as he spilled his life inside of her. She was
right beside him as she reached her point of release. They fell back to
earth, wrapped in one another’s arms. Sleep soon claimed them again,
until the next stirrings of love found them.
It was late the following morning before the village began to stir. Red
Bear was up and had been to the river to bathe. He wasn’t surprised
that there were no movements around Running Buck’s teepee. He smiled to
himself. He would go and wake his brother later in the day. For now he
would let him sleep. He remembered what it was like with his first wife
Morning Flower in the beginning.
Melissa woke to the sounds of children outside of their teepee. Buck
was still sleeping at her side. His arm was over her hip and one of her
legs was between his. Slowly she stretched and drew her leg up and over
his. The movement woke him and he smiled her way.
“Good morning Gray Eyes.” He kissed her shoulder and she leaned over
him.
“It is a beautiful morning, at least in this teepee!” Her lips found
their way down to his chest and fastened over a nipple. He could feel
his desire for her starting to mount again, as she continued to leave
kisses all along his chest, and downwards to his manhood. As he mouth
took him in, Buck groaned. This was a wonderful way to wake up.
Red Bear stopped near his brother’s teepee. It was nearly noon and time
for the two of them to be up. He knew that soon they would be leaving
to go back to the white man’s world. He wanted to spend a little more
time with Running Buck before he had to go. He started to call out, and
heard the faint sounds of love making coming from the inside of the
teepee. He smiled again devilishly and cleared his throat. “Running
Buck...are you and Gray Eyes going to sleep the day away? Father Sun is
high in the sky. Come, let us talk before you have to leave.”
Both Melissa and Buck stopped their movements, and Buck looked down
into her eyes. They had been deep in the throes of love once again.
Buck kissed her lips and whispered. “I guess he’s rite. I should go out
and join him.”
She nodded and he withdrew from her. Her insides were beginning to calm
down. She felt suddenly empty as he stood and walked to the flap of the
teepee.
“I’ll be with you soon my brother.” Buck turned back to Melissa and
reached for his clothes. Today they returned to the white man’s world.
He hated to see this ending. But he knew that they would come often to
their own paradise here among the Kiowa.
Melissa rose on her knees, and reached for Buck. He joined her once
more on the fur pallet. “I have enjoyed the time here with you, my
Running Buck!” she smiled and he kissed her tenderly.
“As I have with you Gray Eyes. We will come often.” He caressed her
face with the palms of his hands, and they gazed at one another for a
long moment. They didn’t voice their feelings. But both knew that there
was love between them.
“Go, be with your brother. I’ll dress and join Morning Flower and
Autumn Wind.” He nodded and hurried to dress.
Red Bear was lounging nearby against a tree, looking out towards the
river when Buck emerged from the teepee. Red Bear wasn’t surprised to
see that he had already donned his white man’s clothing. Red Bear
smiled teasingly at his brother. “It is about time that you decided to
join the rest of the living. It was so good between you and Gray Eyes
that you would stay between her legs all day?”
Buck blushed and looked back towards the teepee where he had left her.
“It was very good. But the time has come to rejoin the white world.” He
sighed and the two of them walked towards the fire pit.
“Come back and rejoin us soon my brother. There will always be a place
here for the two of you.”
Buck turned and clasped his brother’s shoulder. “I thank you for that.
I think that you will see a lot more of Gray Eyes and me from now on.”
Red Bear smiled. He liked the sound of Running Buck’s words.
Melissa had watched Buck leave the teepee and then she had moved to
dress. She wasn’t surprised at the soreness that her body called to
her. But it was a good soreness. She and Buck had made love throughout
the entire night. Sleeping only snatches between each session. Looking
around, she saw two eagle feathers lying beside her clothes. She
vaguely remembered her grandmother making an appearance at some point
during the night. She had been pleased with what she saw. Melissa
sighed. She was pleased herself. Buck was beginning to mean so much to
her. If Red Bear asked her today if she loved Running Buck, she knew
the answer would be yes.
Sarah and Jimmy woke each other with kisses the following morning. That
led to more loving. Afterwards they held one another close for a long
time; neither wanted to break the spell that surrounded them.
“Guess we should get up and do some chores. The horses probably think
they have been forgotten about this morning.”
Jimmy smiled as he brushed the hair from her face. “Guess it’d be near
impossible for us to jist stay here all day?”
Sarah laughed. “I don’t know. I think maybe we could make it a habit of
returning from time to time!” She leaned near to kiss him, then rolled
away. “But for now, I need to go feed the horses. And besides, I’m
starving, aren’t you?”
As if in answer to her question, his stomach growled loudly. They both
laughed and Jimmy sat up on the side of the bed. “You go fix us some
food. I’ll see to the horses.”
“You’re on!” She reached to pull on a robe and rose from the bed. Her
body protested at the sudden movement.
Jimmy saw the look go across her face and quickly reached for her,
pulling her back to the bed. “Sarah, are you all rite?” He sounded so
concerned.
She smiled and reached to caress his cheek. “I’m fine. My body is just
a little stiff, that’s all. But it’s a good stiff! My lower half is
protesting all the loving it has gotten in the last two days.”
He frowned. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to…”
She placed her fingers over his lips. “You won’t catch me complaining.
I loved every minute of it. And I look forward to the times to come.
Don’t think that you are going to get out of coming back to this bed
throughout the day.” She grinned at him and he laughed.
“If you’re shore you’re up to it. I ain’t wantin’ to hurt you none!”
“Oh I’m up to it Jimmy! In fact, I’m looking very forward to it!” She
leaned closer to kiss him. She was tempted to pull him back down to the
bed with her, but knew that they really needed to do a few things first
before they indulged their desires again. “Come on, or we’ll never get
anything done.” Smiling she rose from the bed and headed for the
kitchen. Jimmy dressed and soon followed her out.
Melissa and Buck spent most of the day at the village. He talking with
Red Bear, and she helping to care for the children and spending time
once again with Silver Wolf and her pups.
Red Bear stood by with Buck, watching them together. He still could not
believe that Silver Wolf would let her come near. “Do not ever forget
how special your woman is!”
Buck smiled towards his brother. He didn’t think that he ever would.
“It looks as if she is very interested in those pups. Save one of them
for me.”
Red Bear smiled. “In the times that you visit, we will see which her
pick is. I will see that it is kept safe for you.”
The sun was beginning to sink low in the west when Buck and Melissa
mounted their horses and said goodbye to the village. The ride was
quiet going back. Both of them were lost in their own thoughts. About
halfway to town, Buck reached over and grasped Melissa’s hand. She
looked his way and smiled. She would never forget the hours that she
had spent in the Kiowa Village in Running Buck’s arms.
Jimmy and Sarah did the chores around the ranch, and wandered back
towards the bedroom. They spent a good portion of their day entwined
together there. Each time that Jimmy made love to her, he knew that
what he was feeling for her was something much more than friendship. As
she gazed at him, he could read the same feelings in her eyes. Not
willing to think about it yet, he pushed the thoughts aside. Later,
much later, he would worry over it.
Near sun down, Jimmy was out once more taking care of the horses. As he
closed the corral gate, he saw riders coming their way. Before long he
realized that it was Melissa and Buck. He called out a greeting and
waved as he hurried towards them.
“Hello Jimmy!” Melissa smiled his way as she slipped down off her horse.
“Well hello to you two. Have a nice visit with Red Bear?” Jimmy looked
towards Buck. He was watching Melissa’s every move. It was very
apparent what had been going on between them while they had been away.
“It was wonderful Jimmy! Where’s Sarah?” She handed the reins to him
and moved over to stand by Buck.
“In the house working on supper.”
“Great. Would you see to my horse for me? And no excuses, you’ll stay
to supper!”
Buck nodded her way, and she sent him a smile as she hurried towards
the house to see Sarah.
Jimmy started leading the horse to the corral, and Buck slipped from
his own horse and walked with him. “You’ve been with Sarah while we
were at the village?”
Jimmy smiled. “Yeah. Got to go back tomorrow though, I got a run.”
Buck nodded. “Gonna stay tonight then?”
Jimmy led the horse into the corral and unsaddled it. Buck followed
him. “Mite.” He didn’t want to think about things right now. He just
knew that he wanted another night with Sarah. The last two days had
been too good.
Buck could tell that he wasn’t planning to talk about it. “I jist
thought I mite stay one more nite with Melissa, if’n you and Sarah
ain’t got no problems with it.”
Jimmy nodded. He led the horse towards the barn where he fed it and put
it in a stall for the night. “Did Red Bear like Melissa?”
“They got along jist fine. We’ll probably be goin’ out to the village a
lot. Since I got a teepee there and all, it makes things a little
easier.”
Jimmy shook his head. “Yeah I guess it does. I ain’t thought much bout
things past tomorrow. I gots the run and all. I’ll be gone a few days.”
“Sarah’ll be waitin’ when you git back.” Buck patted him on the back
and they headed back to the house.
Jimmy sighed. “Yeah, I know.” He pushed the thoughts aside again. They
were beginning to bother him. But he wasn’t going to think on it now.
Tonight…he would have tonight.
Melissa had hurried inside to find Sarah in the kitchen. “Hey
girlfriend!”
Sarah turned at the sound of her voice with a large smile on her face.
“It’s good to have you back! Have a good time?”
Melissa sighed, the sound of happiness. “I did. How bout you? You look
all rested and happy. Something tells me you haven’t been doing much
while I was gone except maybe spending time with Jimmy.”
Sarah blushed slightly. “You could say that.”
“Good thing I remembered to send the buckboard back before I left with
Buck yesterday then!”
Sarah smiled. “Yeah, I’m ever so glad you did. We’ve had a wonderful
time.”
Melissa stepped near and hugged her friend. I’m glad it’s working out.
Jimmy seems different somehow.”
“He’s let down all the walls. He’s like a totally different person,
Melissa. But I’m afraid it will change at any moment.”
“Maybe not. Maybe he’s realized he cares for you.”
“That’s sort of what I’m afraid of. What happens when he does realize
that?”
“He tells you he loves you?” She smiled and Sarah sighed.
“I hope so. But you remember we talked that night and decided we’d be
friends? We haven’t talked since then. For all I now he still thinks
we’re just friends!”
“Sarah, the things that have been going on between the two of you, it’s
more than friendship,” Melissa frowned.
“I know that. Our relationship has gone far beyond friendship. But with
the way Jimmy feels about having a woman in his life for anything other
than friendship…I don’t think I stand a chance.”
“I do hope it doesn’t turn out that way. You care a great deal for
Jimmy. He’d be crazy to not know it.”
Sarah sighed. “All I can do is hope for the best.” She turned back to
the stove and stirred the soup. “You and Buck are eating with us aren’t
you? There’s plenty.”
“I told him to plan to stay. He and Jimmy were putting the horses in
the corral when I came in.”
“Melissa, Jimmy will probably stay tonight too.” She looked her way and
for a moment wondered if she would have a problem with that knowledge.
Melissa smiled. “Good. Then there is no reason why Buck can’t stay too.”
Sarah grinned. “Come sit down and tell me about the village.” She
noticed a dreamy expression crossed Melissa’s face. “I take it things
went really well there.”
“I realize that I have missed being part of that world. It was a lot
like my grandmother’s village. Red Bear is a very handsome man. He has
two wives, and I was treated as part of the family.”
“Then Red Bear approved of you as Buck’s lady?”
Melissa smiled. “While I was there, he wanted to make everyone aware
that I was to be respected and protected if the need arose. That I was
to be part of his family because I was Buck’s woman. He gave me an
Indian name that I use when I am in the village. There was a big
celebration last night because Buck had returned to visit and to
welcome me.”
Sarah could tell that Melissa had been very touched by Buck’s brother’s
kindness. “So, who are you if you are no longer Melissa Crawford?”
“Gray Eyes.”
Sarah gazed at her friend. She understood why Red Bear would have named
her that. Her eyes were one of the first things that you noticed about
her. “It fits you. And you and Buck? How are things between you?”
Melissa smiled again. “Wonderful Sarah. I met a part of him that I knew
was there, but I had not been formally introduced to, until last night.
I very much liked what I saw.”
Sarah reached out to pat her hand. “I’m glad. I agree with you
grandmother whole heartedly. You two are meant to be together.”
“Well for the moment, I know she’s happy with us. She visited Buck’s
teepee sometime this morning early. I woke and she was standing over
us. She had this beautiful smile on her face and she told me that this
was how it should be. That I should trust this man who held me so close
to his heart.”
Jimmy and Buck came in, and the ladies got up from their seats at the
table to finish up supper. They could finish their talk later.
The evening was spent in friendship, both couples talking about
different things. As it began to get late, Melissa started to dread
Buck’s leaving her. She was sitting close to his side, her head laid on
his shoulder. She wondered how she was going to talk him into staying.
A quietness had settled around them, and they had not seemed to notice
it. They were to busy just holding one another.
Jimmy leaned near and kissed Sarah. “I have to git up early in the
mornin’. I got a run.”
“Then we should turn in.” Sarah stood up and reached for his hand.
Melissa looked their way as they started to leave the sofa. “We’ll see
you two in the morning. Lock the door when you decide to call it a
night.” At that they headed towards Sarah’s bedroom, closing the door
behind them.
Buck leaned near to kiss Melissa’s lips. “Guess it goes without sayin’
I ain’t leavin’ here. Not if’n I can have another nite of holdin’ you
in my arms!”
Melissa snuggled closer in his embrace. “I wouldn’t dare let you leave!”
“Then let’s turn in too.” He picked her up and carried her towards the
bedroom. Pausing to lock the door and blow out the oil lamp on the way.
It was late. Teaspoon stood on the porch of Rachel’s and gazed out
towards the direction of town. Buck and Jimmy hadn’t returned. This
would be the second night they had been gone. Jimmy had a run tomorrow.
He had thought about riding out to Sarah’s ranch, but something stopped
him. Somewhere deep inside he knew that Jimmy was with Sarah. And since
he thought that they belonged together in the first place, he didn’t
want to chance ruining anything. Besides Jimmy knew he had a run. He’d
be back in plenty of time. As for Buck, he was gone several days at a
time when he visited his brother if nothing was pushing at the station.
He had a feeling that Melissa was still with him too. That was good. He
turned and headed for his own bed. He would worry tomorrow if they
didn’t get back.
Jimmy was awake early the following morning. He lay holding Sarah and
thought about the last three days that they had together. If he were
honest with himself, he knew that he didn’t want to leave her. For now
he had no other choice. She stirred at his side, and he reached to
caress her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, and she gave him a
sleepy smile.
“It is time for you to leave already?”
“Almost.” He leaned near to kiss her and her hand ran down over his
chest towards his hips. Coming to rest on his maleness. It grew quickly
in her hand as she stroked him. Jimmy groaned. “You know we shouldn’t
git involved in this. I could end up stayin’ here all day again!”
She smiled. “And I would love every minute of it.”
He couldn’t leave her without making love to her once more. He started
caressing her, and soon they were lost in one another.
Sarah followed him out to saddle Cisco. She had a funny feeling as she
stood by the corral and watched him ride towards town. Would he come
back to her? “Ride safe Jimmy.” The words were whispered as he
disappeared over the rise. Sarah went back inside to start some coffee.
Her laziness was over. She had a lot to do today.
|
Buck and Melissa woke to the smell of coffee. Their night had been very
different from the one spent in the teepee. But no less loving. They
dressed and joined Sarah in the kitchen. She had breakfast almost ready.
“Sleep good?” She grinned at Buck as he sat down at the table.
“Ummm” was all he said, as he poured himself a cup of coffee. Melissa
did the same as she sat down at his side. They were both smiling. Sarah
took that to mean that their night had been good too.
Jimmy rode up to the station and dismounted. Cisco stomped his feet. He
was ready for a run. “I’ll be back soon feller!” Jimmy patted his back
haunches as he walked around behind him and headed for the bunkhouse.
Noah met him at the door.
“I was wonderin’ if you was goin’ to git back in time for your run. I
told Teaspoon I’d take it if you weren’t back.”
“I ain’t never missed a run, lesson Teaspoon had me doin’ somethin;
else. He knowed I’d be back..”
“You seen Buck?”
“Yeah. He’ll be back here this afternoon.”
“I need some help on the back fence.”
“Yeah, guess me and Buck ain’t been much help the last few days.”
Noah smiled and patted his back. “It’s all rite. Bein’ in love is more
important.”
The look that Jimmy gave Noah was one of shock. Being in love? No he
wasn’t in love! He and Sarah were only friends…or were they? Jimmy
headed for his bunk and started gathering his things for the ride. Noah
stood for a moment looking his way, then headed out. Jimmy was being
Jimmy again. He obviously didn’t want to talk any more about it.
Noah met Teaspoon in the yard. “I see Jimmy’s back.”
“Yeah, and he’s actin’ sorta strange.”
Teaspoon nodded as Noah walked around him and headed for some
breakfast. He wondered if he and Sarah had had words. He
felt sure that he would be in a good mood when he returned. He walked
towards the bunkhouse and stepped inside.
“Son, is you okay?”
Jimmy sort of glared at Teaspoon. “Yeah.”
“You and Miss Sarah have a nice time together?”
Jimmy just sort of looked at Teaspoon for a long moment. He guessed
what he’d told Sarah was right. They had figured out where he’d been.
“Yeah.”
“Wanta talk ‘bout it?”
“Nope!” He picked up his bedroll and canteen and headed for the door.
Teaspoon scratched his chin and watched him leave. “You’s a talkin’ too
much ‘gin son!” He hurried out after him.
Jimmy tied the bedroll onto the back of Cisco and started to mount up.
“Rider comin’!” Noah called from Rachel’s porch.
Teaspoon looked towards the rider, and watched Cody come skidding to a
halt. He handed the mailbag over to Jimmy and he kicked Cisco into
motion and he was gone.
“Ride safe son.” Teaspoon watched him until he was just a dot to the
west.
Sarah started on chores right after breakfast. Melissa offered to do
the dishes after she had seen Buck off. They planned to meet up in town
around noon. She needed to pick up a few things at the general store,
and then go to the church and practice. It was Wednesday, and she
hadn’t been back in the church since Sunday night. Buck had asked her
to have lunch with him at the hotel.
Riding into the station yard, Teaspoon and Noah stopped what they were
doing and looked his way.
“Well it’s ‘bout time you decided to come back! Thought maybe Dancin’
Hawk had talked you into stayin’ at the village,” he said as he carried
the hammer that he’d been using towards Buck.
“Nope. Had a nice visit though.” He walked his horse towards the corral
and started to unsaddle him.
“What’d Miss Melissa think bout your brother?”
Buck smiled. “I think they got on jist fine. Fine ‘nough he made her a
part a his family!”
“Oh, I see. How you feel ‘bout that son?” Teaspoon watched the motions
play across Buck’s face.
“Couldn’t a made me any prouder!”
“Guess the two a yous mite be visitin’ a mite often?”
“Could be. Come on. I’ll help you finish mendin’ that fence. I promised
Melissa I’d meet her for lunch at the hotel a fore she goes to practice
at the church.”
Teaspoon smiled and handed him the hammer. At least he was in a better
mood than Jimmy’d been.
Jimmy rode fast and hard to his destination, his mind moving almost as
fast as his horse. What was he going to do? He’d known what he and
Sarah were doing wasn’t something that friends would normally do. But
when Noah had mentioned being in love, it had all hit home. He recalled
the look that Sarah had given him that morning after they had made love
the last time. He had read something in her eyes. And he knew that her
feelings were stronger than any friendship could possibly be.
Jimmy rode on, his mind in turmoil. Before he returned to Rock Creek,
he had to make a decision. And he had a feeling that it wasn’t going to
be the one that Sarah wanted. And he knew that he wouldn’t want it
either.
Melissa left the ranch in time to reach town before noon. Buck was
waiting for her at the hotel. He helped her down from her horse, and
they walked into the hotel hand in hand. Neither of them noticed
several of the town’s people watching them.
Their meal was delicious, and they talked quietly to one another. They
were totally unaware of anything else going on around them. They didn’t
have a care in the world. Neither realized that it was all about to
change.
Buck walked Melissa towards the general store. He had seen several of
the church ladies enter just before them, and he decided that it would
be best if he stayed outside. “I’ll wait on you here. You go on inside
and git your supplies.”
Melissa not thinking much about it, headed in the door. She noticed as
she entered Hattie Calahan and Caroline Montgomery looking at several
different bolts of cloth. She handed Tompkins her list and stood by the
counter as he began to collect her items.
Hattie and Caroline were discussing the plans the town was beginning to
make for its Founders Day Celebration. Melissa thought about the ideas
that she and Sarah had discussed for the exact same thing, and thought
that she would run them by the two ladies. She moved in their direction.
“Good afternoon ladies.” They both looked her way. Neither said a word.
She sort of felt as if they were looking down their noses at her. “I
couldn’t help but overhear your conversation about Founders Day. Sarah
and I were discussing that just the other day. We thought it would be
nice if….”
“Excuse me…but do you really think that we, two fine, upstanding ladies
of this community, would take into consideration anything that you, a
dirty, squaw would have to say?”
Melissa was stunned. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It was
starting again.
“That’s right Hattie. If you think anyone in this town even cares what
you think, you are totally wrong! No one has the time of day for
someone who loves up to some Indian savage!”
Melissa still didn’t utter a word. She couldn’t seem to find her voice.
Buck who had been standing just outside the door, heard the beginning
of the confrontation. His heart sank. How could they start on Melissa
again?
“And besides that, I understand someone saw you riding out of town
Tuesday morning with that no good breed! Was he taking you to his
Indian village where you gave it to him and all of his Indian brothers?”
Melissa looked down. What could she possibly say to these two women?
They would never believe a word she had to offer in her defense!
Buck had stepped closer to the door. Why wasn’t Melissa saying
something? He glanced in the door.
“It must be true Caroline. She ain’t denying it. Cat got your tongue
missy?”
“It is true Hattie. She’s looking guilty as sin. Breed Lover!” Caroline
sneered at her.
“Come on Caroline. I ain’t trading in this store long as that whore is
in it. Besides that, I aim to tell everyone in this town what sort of
woman she really is.”
The two ladies hurried out of the store. Buck angrily left a head of
them. He ducked behind one of the nearby buildings. He couldn’t decide
whom he was more upset with. The two women for starting on Melissa
again, or Melissa for not having said a word! He didn’t understand.
Still stunned, Melissa turned back to Tompkins. He handed her the items
she had requested. She paid him quickly; he didn’t say a word. She
hurried from the store near tears.
Melissa expected to see Buck waiting for her, but he was nowhere to be
seen. She stood for several moments on the sidewalk wondering where he
was. Perhaps Teaspoon had needed him for something.
To her right, she noticed several people standing on the sidewalk. They
were whispering behind their hands and pointing her way. Suddenly
Melissa felt very trapped. Two young boys who were standing beside the
sidewalk picked up some rocks. ‘That’s her! That’s the whore!” They
started throwing rocks. When they didn’t reach her, they ran across the
street, picking up more, and throwing them.
Buck watched as the mothers did nothing to stop their children. The
rocks were beginning to strike Melissa. He started towards her, but she
turned and ran for the church, a cry coming from her lips. She had to
get away from these terrible people.
She disappeared inside and the doors closed behind her. Buck watched as
the people turned looking very satisfied with themselves. They walked
on down the street as if nothing had just taken place.
Melissa stood back against the doors. Her heart was pounding a mile a
minute. Tears streamed down her face. How could the people be so cruel?
And where had Buck hurried off to? He had just left her there. She had
a terrible feeling about all of this. She felt a pain in her ankle and
sat down on one of the church pews. Pulling the skirt that she wore up,
she found a trickle of blood running down the side of her foot. One of
the rocks that the boys had thrown at her had caught her on the ankle.
She wiped the blood away. Why was all of this happening to her?
Buck had spent almost an hour trying to decide what he should do. But
no matter what came to mind, he knew that it wouldn’t work. There was
only one thing for him to do. Melissa’s reputation would surely be
ruined if he continued to see her. If they stopped being together now,
maybe just maybe there was a chance that they people of Rock Creek
would look upon her differently. His heart was heavy as he went to the
church. He didn’t want to hurt her. But what else could he do?
Melissa heard the doors of the church open. She turned from the organ
where she was standing, and took a big gulp of air into her lungs as
she realized it was Buck who had entered the church.
She rushed towards him, and he caught her in his arms. For a moment he
held her close. She was trembling. Setting her away from him, he gazed
at her face. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. His heart ached
at what he was about to do to her.
“Are you all rite?”
“Yes. Where did you disappear to? When I left the store you were
nowhere to be found. Those horrible ladies….” Melissa sobbed again, and
two new tears ran down her cheeks.
“I know what happened. I was standin’ outside the door when they
started talkin’ to you.”
“Then why did you leave?” she asked as she looked at him in surprise.
“When the ladies came stormin’ out a the store, I knew it would make
things worse if they saw me. Melissa, why didn’t you defend yourself to
them? Are you ashamed of what we had? What we shared at the village?”
She looked at him in shock. How could he ask her that? “Of course not!
How could you…”
He didn’t give her time to answer. “It didn’t matter none,, Melissa. We
cain’t see one ‘nother anymore!”
“Buck! No!” she clutched at his arm. He couldn’t mean what he was
saying.
“Melissa, your reputation is ruined if we keep seein’ one ‘nother. If
we stop now, then maybe the people in this here town will forgit and
accept you as part of ‘em.”
“I don’t want to be of them! Not if it means that I can’t be with you!”
“Melissa, you don’t mean that. You’re jist confused. It’s fer the best
that we jist don’t see one ‘nother again!”
“Buck didn’t what we share at the village mean anything to you? How can
you do this to me?”
“It’s fer your own good Melissa. If’n I didn’t care ‘bout you, I
wouldn’t be doin’ this!”
Her bottom lip was trembling, and she looked up at him, tears streaming
down her face. It tore at his heart to see her cry. Everything inside
him was yelling to take the words back. But he knew that he couldn’t.
“Buck please don’t!”
“Goodbye Gray Eyes.”
A sob tore from her throat as he left her. She rushed after him, but
the door slammed in her face. She collapsed in a heap on the floor,
crying her eyes out.
Buck hurried to his horse and quickly rode from town. He needed to be
alone. He needed to talk to the spirits. He needed their help in
learning to live without her.
Reverend Johnson had come back to the church to gather some material
for his sermon on Sunday. He heard someone crying, and rushed forward
when he saw someone lying on the floor. He was totally surprised when
he found it to be Melissa.
Pulling her into his arms, he brushed the hair from her face. “Melissa?
My dear, what has happened? Are you all right?”
It took her some moments to regain herself enough to talk to the
reverend. He handed her a handkerchief and she blew her nose. “Tell me
my child. What has happened?”
Melissa spent the next few minutes telling him about the two ladies in
the general store, then of the children throwing rocks at her in the
street. Lastly, she told him of Buck following her there and telling
her that they couldn’t see one another again. She sobbed again and he
pulled her close in his arms.
“Oh Melissa, I know that it may not seem so now, but this could be the
wisest thing that could have happened. It would have only led to
heartbreak in the end. Mr. Cross is a half-breed. It could never work
out. This way, you can he free to meet someone in our fair town that
could make you a fine husband. Someone that…”
Melissa looked up at him with a near hateful look on her face. “Someone
that the whole town would approve of? Someone that the congregation
would be happy to accept among them? Oh no Reverend Johnson! I am in
love with Buck Cross. He is the only one on the face of God’s green
earth that would make a suitable husband for me. Not some high and
mighty white man! Not some man who is prejudiced because someone isn’t
like them!”
“Melissa, you’re just upset right now.”
“No Reverend Johnson. I know what I’m saying. As for this church and
this congregation, you can tell the holier than thou people that I
don’t care if this place burns in hell! I will not be back to play the
organ or teach their children. If they can not accept me for what I am
and the man that I love, then I certainly don't need them in my life!”
With those words, she jumped up from the pew and hurried out of the
church. Tears still streaming down her face.
Jimmy spent a very unrestful night. He lay awake thinking of nothing
but Sarah wrapped in his arms. There was no way that he could go back
to Rock Creek and pick up things as they were though. He had no choice
but to stop seeing her. He knew that he had been letting his guard down
when he was around her. He’d been so caught up in Sarah that he hadn’t
been on watch. Someone could have called him out, and she could have
been right in the middle of it. He had to stop this. He didn't want her
to get hurt. That meant that he was jut going to have to stop seeing
her. There was no other way around it. He would have to stay away from
her, and it wasn’t going to be easy. He’d come to enjoy what they had,
and that was way too dangerous!
He turned over onto his side and tried to sleep. But his thoughts
wouldn’t let him. All he could think of was Sarah and how hurt she was
going to be when she learned that they couldn’t be together anymore!
How in the world would he ever tell her? How in the world could he walk
out of her life and never be with her again?
Sarah was in the kitchen when Melissa came flying in. She slammed the
door and ran for her bedroom. Sarah wiped her hands on the towel by the
table and hurried to see what was going on. Melissa had flung herself
down onto her bed and was sobbing her heart out.
Melissa...what’s wrong? Has something happened to Buck?”
She shook her head, her tears coming harder and faster. She couldn’t
talk about this, she just couldn’t!
“Melissa, please. Tell me what’s happened. I can’t help you if you
don’t tell me.”
Sarah realized that she just couldn’t talk right then, so she sat on
the edge of the bed, lightly rubbing her back and letting her cry it
all out. Sooner or later, she would tell her what was going on. She
would just be patient.
Getting up, Sarah went to the kitchen getting Melissa something to
drink. With all those tears, she was sure there was no moisture left in
her body. She made her sit up and drink the lemonade, gently wiping her
eyes with the towel that she still held in her hands.
“Honey, tell me what’s wrong.” Sarah looked at her with concern.
Melissa knew that she only wanted to help. But it hurt so much to talk
about this. Taking a deep breath, she looked her way.
“Buck told me that we couldn’t see one another any more!”
“HE DID WHAT?” Sarah couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “What in
the world made him do something like this?”
“After we had lunch, I went to the general store to get some things
that I needed for choir rehearsal. Two ladies were in there from the
church. They started in on me and called me names, telling me that they
didn’t want any suggestions from me about the Founders Day Celebration
because no one would want to hear what I thought. I was nothing but a
breed lover and a whore! They also said someone saw Buck and me headed
out of town and they wanted to know if I'd gone with him to the Indian
village and had given it to him and all his Indian brothers! They told
me that they were going to tell everyone in town what sort of woman I
am!”
“No Melissa…they couldn’t have!” Sarah was even more shocked.
“Oh yes! Then when they finally left, and I went out of the store
everyone on the street was whispering behind their hands and pointing
at me. Two little boys on the street started throwing rocks at me and
called me a whore! I ran for the church.” She sobbed again and Sarah
pulled her close.
“I’m so sorry Melissa. Where was Buck during all this?”
“He over heard everything, but didn’t come inside. He accused me of
being ashamed of what we had shared at the village because I didn’t
defend myself to those ladies!”
“I don’t understand Melissa. That isn’t like Buck at all.”
“It doesn’t matter Sarah. He’s told me that my reputation is ruined
because of him and if we stop seeing one another now then maybe the
people of Rock Creek will forget and accept me. Even Reverend Johnson
told me after Buck left that this was for the best. That I could find
someone that the people would accept and approve of!” Melissa’s words
were hateful and Sarah could certainly see why.
“What did you tell him?”
“That he and his congregation could all burn in hell! That I would no
longer be playing music or teaching the children’s choir. That I had
lost the man that I loved because of them, and I didn’t want someone
that they approved of!”
“Good for you!” Sarah patted her on the back.
Melissa sniffed. “Sarah it doesn’t matter. Buck won’t see me any more.
What we shared at the waterfalls, the village, or even here must not
have meant anything to him at all! If it had, he wouldn’t be treating
me this way. He never loved me or cared for me. He was just using me!”
Sarah frowned. “I don’t think so Melissa. I can’t see Buck doing that.
He just thinks this is what he should do to save your reputation. Give
it some time.”
“It won’t do any good. You didn’t hear the hatefulness in his voice
when he accused me of being ashamed of what we’d shared. I’ll never see
him again!” Melissa dissolved into tears again, and Sarah took the
glass from her hands.
“Try not to worry so much over it Melissa. I still think that he’ll
come around when he realizes that he’s made a major mistake.”
“Sarah, I realized at the village that I love him. If I can’t be with
him, I don’t want to be with anyone!”
“Shhh, it will be okay. You lie here and try to take a nap.” She wiped
the tears from her swollen eyes, and for a moment sat beside her.
Melissa closed her eyes. How in the world could something get so messed
up in so short a time?
The next few days were slow moving ones. Melissa was in a state of
depression. Sarah tried to cheer her up, but it didn’t work no matter
what she tried. Buck had not come around and that really surprised
Sarah. She’d just known that he would change his mind. But then again,
he was a man and they could be awfully hard headed at times.
Besides the fact that Buck hadn’t been around, neither had Jimmy. It
was Friday night. Where was he? He should have been back at the latest
early that morning. Sarah caught herself watching the road every hour
for him. Her bad feeling was back. Little fingers of doubt were
beginning to creep in. Jimmy had been out on a run. That meant his mind
had been working over time. She had a feeling that his walls were back
up again. And if that were true, how in the world would she ever get
over them again?
Jimmy had rode in early afternoon Friday. He hadn’t been in any hurry
to get back. During all the time that he had been thinking, he couldn’t
come up with an easy answer to his problem. So, he just decided that he
wasn’t going around Sarah any more. He wasn’t going out to see her, and
if she came to the station, he would simply go in the other direction.
Buck was brushing down his horse when Jimmy arrived. He could tell
right off that something wasn’t right. “You okay?” He stopped brushing
the horse to look his way.
“Yeah.” Jimmy swung down and started to take the saddle off Cisco’s
back.
“Good ride?”
“It was all rite.” He threw the saddle over the rail of one of the
empty stalls.
“You ridin’ out to see Sarah later on?” Buck was watching him
carefully. He didn’t miss the look that went across Jimmy’s face at the
mention of her name.
“Nope. I ain’t.” He picked up a brush and started to work on Cisco.
“If’n you are plannin’ to go see Melissa, don’t even say a word to
Sarah ‘bout me. You ain’t seen me, you don’t know if’n I’m back.”
“I ain’t goin; to see Melissa. You ain’t gotta worry none.” He led the
horse back towards its stall. Jimmy stood there with his mouth open.
What was going on here?
Buck started to leave the barn. “You and Melissa have words?”
Buck glared his way. “Did you and Sarah?”
“Nope!” Jimmy turned back to Cisco. “Ain’t plannin’ to have any kinda
words with her again!”
As upset as Buck was, he knew that this was going to hurt Sarah as much
as what he’d done to Melissa had. He walked back towards Jimmy. “You
shore that’s what you want?”
“Looks like you mite a decided the same thing ‘bout Melissa.”
“I decided for a good reason. I ain’t so shore your reason is a good
one!”
“And jist why not? I don’t need no woman in my life! It’s dangerous!
It’ll jist end up gittin’ us both killed. It’s time to end this now a
fore it goes any further.” Jimmy was brushing Cisco rather hard, but he
didn’t notice.
“So you an Sarah ain’t friends no more?”
“Cain’t be. Sides, the kind a things we was doin’ weren’t friend
things.”
Buck stood looking at Jimmy. So he had realized that what he was
feeling for Sarah was more than friendship. Or at least that was what
it sounded like. “You ain’t even gonna ride out and tell her?”
“Nope! It’s better this way!”
“Jimmy, you ought not do this to her.”
“Buck I ain’t talkin’ ‘bout this no more. I’ve made up my mind and this
is how it’s gonna be. So drop it!”
“I think it’s a mistake!” Jimmy glared at him.
“Then I guess we’s both made one, ain’t we?”
“How you git that?”
“I ain’t so shore what you went an done to Melissa ain’t a mistake too!”
“What I did was fer her own good. If’n we don’t stop seein’ one
‘nother, her reputation is gonna be ruined. It’s time we stopped
foolin’ with one ‘nother like this, when we know it ain’t gonna work
out in the end.”
“Well, I don’t agree. I happen to think you and Melissa is good fer one
‘nother! I don’t think she gives a hang about her reputation!
Furthermore, it could work if you’d let it!”
“That’s why I have to be sure someone looks after her reputation…she
ain’t gonna!”
Their voices were beginning to get loud. “Well, I think you’re wrong.
She cares a lot ‘bout you!”
“And Sarah don’t care none ‘bout you? I happen to think the two a you
belong together!”
“Ain’t none a your business Buck.” Jimmy was shouting now. He’d walked
over and was poking his finger into Buck’s chest.
Suddenly the barn door was full of Cody and Noah. “What’s goin’ on in
here? We can hear you all the way to the bunkhouse!” Noah asked,
looking from one to the other.
“Nothin’!” Buck gave Jimmy another angry look and stormed out of the
barn.
“That’s rite..nothin’!” Jimmy threw the brush down and led Cisco into
his stall, making sure that he had some feed. Then he too headed out.
Cody and Noah looked after them. “Wonder what nothin’ was really about?”
Noah shook his head. “Obviously neither wanted to talk about it any
more.”
They went back towards the bunkhouse. Cody wondering what was
happening. They had been yelling at one another about Melissa and
Sarah. He would have to find out some way. Maybe he could have another
chance with Melissa if she and Buck weren’t together any more.
Cody spent the rest of the afternoon and evening watching Buck and
Jimmy. Both of them hung close to the station. Both had long drawn
faces, like neither of them was happy any more. At the supper table,
Teaspoon even tried to pry it out of the two of them. But neither of
them was in a talking mood. They just got up and left the table, before
they were finished eating.
Jimmy headed for the bunkhouse where he turned in. He hadn’t gotten
much sleep in the last two nights, and he was exhausted. Buck went out
and sat down under one of the big oak trees in the front of the station
and stared at the heavens. Cody wondered if he was asking some of his
spirit guides to help him with his problems.
Slowly Cody approached him, trying not to make any noise. “Buck, you
all rite?”
Buck turned and glared at him. “Cody I ain’t all rite, and I ain’t
gonna talk ‘bout it!”
Cody flinched at his angry tone. “Look Buck, I can understand if’n you
need to be alone to think out this here problem. But I couldn’t help
overhearing you and Jimmy in the barn this afternoon. You two was
arguing about Melissa and Sarah. You not seein’ Melissa any more?”
Buck had looked back towards the sky and was trying to ignore Cody.
Suddenly he turned his way. “It ain’t none a your business Cody!”
“Well Buck, I think you’re wrong there. You see, I care a great deal
about Melissa. I ain’t wantin’ to see her hurt. If’n you ain’t seein’
her no more, then I know you done went and hurt her somehow. You
shouldn’t ought a done that. She ain’t deservin’ of it!”
“Cody it don’t matter none. Jist go away!”
“No, I ain’t goin’ away till you answer me! Ain’t you seein’ Melissa
any more?”
“Why? You wantin’ to go comfort her if’n I ain’t?” He glared at him
again.
“Well, I could be. If’n you ain’t seein’ her no more, I shore am
plannin’ to go out and at least see that she’s all rite!”
“Then go fer it Cody! I ain’t seein’ her no more! You happy now?” Buck
sat glaring at him until he got up and walked away.
Cody smiled to himself. Took him long enough to get it out of him! This
put a different light on things. Maybe he still had a chance with her.
He’d go see her tomorrow morning. He headed off for the bunkhouse,
feeling rather pleased with himself.
Buck sat watching Cody walk off with that same cocky attitude about
himself. He’d be out to see Melissa before tomorrow was over. He
sighed. Maybe that was for the best. Why then did his heart ache so
much at the thought of Melissa in Cody’s arms? Would she be loving him
as fully as she had loved him in just a few days time?
He closed his eyes. All he could see was Melissa standing in front of
him. No, it wasn’t Melissa, it was Gray Eyes. She was dressed in her
doeskin dress and moccasins, and she was crying. Tears were streaming
down her face. He had done this to her. He had hurt her terribly.
Holding his face in his hands, he wondered what he should do.
Sarah was worried sick. She was out messing with the horses when she
saw someone at a distance riding towards the ranch. Her heart jumped in
her throat. Maybe it was Jimmy. Maybe he had just been delayed. She’d
been foolish to think all those thoughts.
But as the rider drew near, she could tell that it wasn’t Jimmy at all.
It was Cody. Her heart fell to the bottom of her stomach. She tried to
cover the disappointment as he rode up to the corral.
“Hi Sarah.” Cody noticed that she wasn’t smiling like usual. There was
something going on with her and Jimmy too.
“Cody...good morning. What brings you out this way?”
He dismounted and tied the horse to the rail of the corral. “Is Melissa
here? I came to see her.”
“Yeah, she’s up at the house. Go on in.”
He started to walk away from her, but she called him back.
“Cody…?” He turned to look her way.
“Yeah?”
“Did Jimmy get back from his run all right?”
He could tell that she was worried. He didn’t know what to tell her
other than the truth. “Yeah. He got back late yesterday afternoon.”
She glanced down at her hands, hurt racing through her. So this was how
it would be. He wouldn’t be out to se her. It was over. “Thanks Cody.”
She turned back to the corral and went to work one of the horses. She
could feel her heart breaking in a million pieces.
Cody watched her walk away. Her shoulders slumped. She’d looked as if
she might cry at any given moment. How could Jimmy treat her this way?
Melissa was gathering clothes to wash when a knock sounded on the door.
Hope sprang through her. Was it possible that it could be Buck? She
glanced at herself in the mirror and then headed to the door. She put a
smile on her face, but it faded as she realized it was Cody standing on
the porch.
“Mornin’ Miss Melissa.” He tipped his hat, and then held it in his
hands.
She tried to smile. Cody had always been so nice to her. She couldn’t
be ugly to him now. “Good morning Cody. What brings you out this way?”
He nodded her way. “I came to see you. If’n you ain’t to busy, can we
talk for a minute?”
“Sure. Come in. Would you like some coffee? There’s still some on the
stove.”
“That’d be nice.” He followed her into the kitchen, placing his hat on
the table and sitting down. He watched her move around the kitchen, and
for a moment wondered what it was that had caused Buck to be so stupid
to throw her away.
Melissa handed him the cup and sat down opposite him at the table. He
took a sip and smiled her way. “Now what did you want to talk about?”
Cody could see the worry lines around her face. She didn’t look as if
she’d gotten much sleep in the last few nights. “I know that somethin’
has happened a tween you and Buck. He told me last nite that he ain’t
seein’ you no more!”
“Well Cody…”
He raised his hand to stop her. “Let me finish. I ain’t got no idea
what happened. He wouldn’t tell me, and he weren’t in no mood to be
pushed into it. I jist know he ain’t seein’ you no more. Now I know
you’re hurt over this. I kin see it in your eyes. I think the best
thing you can do is, right now, start seein’ someone else!”
Tears had sprung into Melissa’s eyes. She had tried not to think about
Buck this morning, and she had thought that she was doing pretty good,
until Cody had arrived and brought it all back up again.
Cody could see that this was upsetting her, but he had to bring it up.
There was no way around it. “The best thing to cure a broken heart is
to start seein’ someone right away. That way you can forgit about the
hurt! I’d be willin’ to be that someone else for you.” He smiled her
way and wondered what she was thinking. She had a strange look on her
face. “There’s the dance tonite, and I think you and I should go.”
For a minute, Melissa wanted to lash out at Cody for what he was trying
to do. Then common sense told her that maybe he was right. It was
apparent that Buck wasn’t going to change his mind. She didn’t have to
make any sort of commitment to Cody. They could go out as friends.
Suddenly she was smiling his way.
“You do, do you?”
He smiled to reassure her. “I think it would be the best thing for you.”
“Okay Mister Cody, what time will you be here for me?”
“Around seven?”
“I’ll be ready.”
He smiled again and reached for her hand. “You’ll have a good time, I
promise.”
“I’m not worried Cody. I’ve always enjoyed going out with you.”
So it was settled. Cody rode off, and Melissa went looking for Sarah.
She was sitting around back behind the barn, under one of the shade
trees. As Melissa drew nearer, she could tell that her shoulders were
shaking. She was crying.
“Sarah, are you all right? You didn’t get thrown did you?”
Sarah looked up at her friend and shook her head. “No. Nothing like
that.”
“That what’s wrong?” Melissa sat down beside her in the grass.
“Jimmy’s not coming back to me. He got back from his run yesterday
afternoon, and he hasn’t been out to see me.”
“Maybe Teaspoon had him busy.” Melissa reached over to pat her hand.
“No. I had a bad feeling about it when he left me that morning. He’s
been out on the run by himself and he’s had time to think it through.
He’s decided that he doesn’t need a woman in his life. He’ll never come
see me again!” She sobbed and Melissa wondered about it all. First Buck
and now Jimmy. Had they both just been using them?
“It looks like he would at least come out and tell you that was what
was on his mind.”
“You know that isn’t Jimmy’s way. If he doesn’t want to talk about it,
he won’t. He’s realized that we can’t be just friends and things go on
between us as they were.”
“Then if he isn’t man enough to come to you, I’d sure go to him and
demand that he tell me what has happened.” Melissa gave her a fierce
look. “At least Buck told me what he was feeling. It isn’t right for
Jimmy to just leave you wondering.”
Sarah wiped her eyes. “You’re right I know. But it seems that I can’t
bring myself to go and hear it from him. As long as he doesn’t come
here, I guess I think that is still some hope.”
Melissa hugged her near. “True. But there could still be hope this way.
Maybe you’ll get there and he’ll have a good excuse for not having come
to see you. Maybe this is all in your head.”
Sarah looked at her for a moment. “Maybe you’re right. You’ll be all
right if I ride to the station?”
“Of course. I’ve got plenty of washing to keep me busy.”
Sarah stood up and wiped her eyes. “Oh, what did Cody want?” They
started walking back to the corral.
“He told me that he knew that Buck and I weren’t seeing one another and
that he thought that the best thing for me to do to get over the hurt
was start seeing someone else, right away. He was nice enough to
volunteer his services!” Melissa giggled. “I told him I’d go to the
dance with him tonight.”
“You sure?” Sarah was a little surprised.
“Well, it isn’t doing me any good sitting around here crying. It
doesn’t look as if Buck is going to change his mind. I can go to the
dance with Cody as friends. I don’t have to fall in love with him.”
“I guess you’re right.” She had begun to saddle her horse. “Okay. Wish
me luck. I’ll be back before supper.”
“Good luck!” Melissa slapped the horse on the rear, and Sarah was on
her way. Melissa sighed and headed back to the house. She sure hoped
that Sarah found out there was nothing wrong between her and Jimmy. It
would be more than a shame if it happened to both of them.
Sarah tried not to worry as she rode to the station. But she knew deep
down inside if she found Jimmy there and they talked that he was going
to tell her what she didn’t want to hear. Her little voice had been
telling her that since he’d left on the run.
Jimmy was working on the corral fence. Buck was on one side, he on the
other. Cody had ridden out earlier that morning and Buck had a feeling
that he had gone to see Melissa. He pushed the thought aside. He didn’t
want to think about it.
Jimmy reached for the nails, and realized that the box was empty.
“Gotta go git some nails. Be rite back.” He turned from the board that
he’d been nailing and started for the barn.
“Rider comin’.” Buck had looked up and seen the cloud of dust headed
their way. As the rider drew nearer, both recognized Sarah. Jimmy
headed on for the barn. Maybe he could hide in there until she was
gone. “Ain’t you gonna talk to her?”
“Not if’n I can help it.” Jimmy didn’t turn around as he headed off.
Buck stood up from the fence and walked around the corral. Sarah
brought her horse to a stop.
“Morning Buck.”
He shaded his eyes, and looked her way. “Mornin’. Everythin’ all rite
at the ranch?”
“Yeah. Where was Jimmy going? I need to talk to him.”
“The barn for some nails.” She nodded and started that direction.
Buck’s voice stopped her. “He ain’t of a mind to talk to you!”
“I know. But I’m of a mind to talk to him!” She sent Buck a small smile
and turned again to head for the barn.
Jimmy was putting nails in the box that he’d carried into the barn.
That should be enough to finish the job. Now if Sarah would just leave
he could go out and finish. He turned and nearly stepped all over her.
“Sarah! Don’t go sneakin’ up on me like that!”
“If I hadn’t, you would have walked off from me. Buck told me you
didn’t want to talk to me.”
“Look, I got things to do.” He tried to step around her, but she
wouldn’t let him. So he stopped and looked her way. “Okay. What is it
you want to say to me?” The very nearness of her was causing his heart
to pound so hard that he wondered if she could see it beating in his
chest.
Sarah was feeling the same way. All she wanted to do was fling herself
into his arms and kiss him. But she knew that she couldn’t. “Why
haven’t you been out to see me since you got back from your run?”
“I jist ain’t had time.” He scowled at her.
“I don’t believe that Jimmy. If it were true, then your face would at
least hold a smile on it for me. Now tell me the truth. Why haven’t you
been out to see me?”
“I jist ain’t Sarah. Now I gots things to do.” He tried once more to
move around her.
Her hand on his chest stopped him. “Jimmy please be honest with me. If
you don’t want to see me any more, it’s okay. I can take it. I’m a big
girl! But at least tell me! Don’t keep me sitting out there at that
ranch thinking something terrible has happened to you.”
He looked down at her, and his heart nearly broke in two. He could see
the hurt already in her eyes. When he told her what he had to, it would
be even worse. He didn’t want to hurt her. But there was no way around
it.
“Sarah, we cain’t see one ‘nother anymore. It’s too dangerous. I’ve let
my guard down too many times since we’ve been together. Someone is
goin’ to git hurt and I don’t want it to be you!”
“Jimmy, I can take care of myself! I can handle a gun! You know that!”
“That mite be true, but you never know when someone is goin’ to call me
out, or when someone is goin’ to realize that I care for you and they
will kidnap you to git to me. I couldn’t live with it if something
happened to you.”
“But Jimmy, I thought we were at least friends.” Both her hands rested
on his chest now, and it was all he could do not to pull her into his
arms and kiss her.
“We was. But I done realized that if’n we’re friends, then we cain’t be
doin’ them things we been doin’! Friends don’t do them married things!”
“Jimmy didn’t those married things mean anything to you? Or were you
just using me?”
“Yes they meant somethin’ to me. And I weren’t jist usin’ you! They
meant too much to me!” He finally shook her hands from his body and
walked around her.
“Jimmy wait!” Her voice was pleading and he stopped, turning to look
her way again. “Don’t do this. I care a great deal for you.”
“Then if you do, you’ll go out of this barn, git on your horse and ride
away. It ain’t no good Sarah. We cain’t be together no more! It’s over.
I don’t want no one knowin’ that we even know each other! Just go away!
I don’t want to see you no more! Good bye!” With those words, he
hurried from the barn. He’d heard her sob at his words, and he knew if
he saw her crying that he would melt inside and pull her into his arms.
Buck stood at the fence, the hammer in his hand and watched Jimmy walk
towards him, the box of nails in his hand. There was an angry scowl on
his face. He wondered where Sarah was. Seconds later, he knew. She came
running out of the barn, jumped on her horse and rode out of the
station yard like the devil himself were chasing her. Buck knew that
she was crying and that hurt. He would go and check on her later.
Swinging back to Jimmy he sent him an angry look. “Are you proud of
yourself? You didn’t have to make her cry!” Buck picked up a nail and
savagely pounded it into the board of the fence.
“There weren’t no way round it. Don’t tell me you didn’t make Melissa
cry when you told her you weren’t gonna see her no more!” Buck frowned
even more at Jimmy.
Jimmy noticed that Buck wasn’t saying anything else. He knew that he
had touched on something. He picked up his hammer and started working
on the other side of the fence. He had to get Sarah off his mind.
Sarah reached the ranch in record time. Melissa was hanging out the
first load of wash and saw her coming. She knew that she was back to
soon for things to be okay. Besides, no one rode that fast if
everything was okay. She hurriedly hung up the last piece of clothing
and rushed towards the barn.
Sarah was taking the saddle off of her horse, tears streaming down her
face. She slung the saddle over the rail of a stall and fell against
it. Her sobs reaching Melissa’s ears.
Melissa hurried over to her, pulling her into her arms. She knew
exactly how she felt. “Sarah are you okay?” She shook her head.
“He told me to go away. That he didn’t want to see me any more! He
didn’t need a woman in his life.”
Melissa was at a loss for words. There wasn’t much that one could say
to that. She just let her cry it out on her shoulder. Pretty soon, she
was lifting her head and wiping her eyes.
“Looks like we’ve both been dumped! Guess we were stupid to have gotten
so involved. Now neither of us has anyone!” A lone tear ran down her
cheek.
“I don’t know. Right now I’m not very fond of what Buck has done to me,
but I still love him. The memories of what we had will always linger.”
Sarah glanced at Melissa. “But Melissa, I don’t want memories! I want
Jimmy Hickok!”
“I know. But what can we do about it now?”
“Just hold our heads up and not let either of them know how much
they’ve hurt us!”
The two ladies walked back towards the house. Both hurting and both
wondering if they could actually act as if they weren’t falling apart
inside when they were around the two men they loved.
Cody was flitting around the bunkhouse, trying to get ready to pick up
Melissa. He couldn’t help but be excited about the prospect of being
with her again. Noah and Buck were sitting at the table watching him.
“You shore are excited about tonite. Who you takin’ to the dance Cody?”
Noah looked his way. He was expecting him to say one of the Johnson
girls or the Patterson girls. He was totally shocked when Cody looked
his way and said “Melissa.”
Noah sent Buck a quick look. There was definitely something not right
here.
Buck just looked at Cody. He wasn’t surprised to learn that he was
taking her to the dance. He’d known that he would go see her before the
day was over. So that was where he had gone early that morning.
Cody glanced at Buck to see what sort of reaction he would have to
hearing that he was taking Melissa to the dance. There was no emotion
on Buck’s face. Cody was a little surprised. Turning back, he finished
combing his hair.
“Well you two gents have a nice evening. I know I will! See you later
tonite.” Picking up his hat, he left the bunkhouse.
Buck sat for a few minutes after Cody had left. Noah looked his way.
“Want to play some cards?”
“Nope.” Getting up, Buck headed for the door. “Got somewheres I need to
go.”
Noah just shook his head. He didn’t understand any of this. Jimmy
wandered in and sat down at the table.
“Got time for a game of cards?”
Noah nodded and picked up the deck. “Not takin’ Sarah to the dance?”
Jimmy tried not to appear angry at his question. He had to remember
that everyone there saw him and Sarah as an item. “Nope. Do you want to
play cards of not?”
“Shore! Man everyone shore is edgy tonite!” He shuffled the deck and
started to deal them out.
Buck saddled his horse and rode off towards Sarah’s ranch. He would
give Cody time to pick Melissa up and then he would ride in and check
on Sarah.
“Sarah, are you sure you’ll be alright? I can tell Cody I won’t go when
he comes.”
“No, I’ll be fine. You go ahead and have a good time. At least one of
us should. Don’t worry none about me.” She patted Melissa’s hand, as a
knock sounded on the door.
Cody was right on time. He helped Melissa slip on her coat, and the two
of them headed for the buggy. Melissa knew that it was going to be
rather hard to appear happy, but she was going to give it her best shot
for the evening.
Buck had arrived right behind Cody. He stayed in the trees out of
sight. He watched as Cody went inside to get her and then helped her
into the buggy. His heart ached as he helped her into the seat. It
wasn’t easy seeing her on someone else’s arm.
After they had rode over the rise, Buck came down out of the trees and
rode up to the front porch. He could see Sarah sitting on the sofa, her
feet tucked up under her. She was trying to read, but it didn’t appear
that her mind was on the book in her lap.
Buck slipped from his horse and knocked on the door. He hoped that she
would talk to him. He hadn’t considered the fact that she might be
upset with him for what he’d done to Melissa.
Sarah wondered who could be calling on her. Opening the door, her frown
turned into a slight smile. “Buck, hello. Come in.”
He took off his hat and stood turning it in his hands. “I wanted to
come by and see if you were alright.”
“I’m fine.” But she knew that her face told a different story. She
sighed and motioned towards the kitchen. “Care for some coffee? I’ll
put on some.”
“That’d be nice.” He followed her towards the kitchen where he sat down
at the table. He looked around the kitchen and he remembered the last
time that he had been sitting there drinking coffee. He and Melissa had
spent a beautiful night together.
Sarah put the pot on and turned to join him. “I wanted to come after
you this morning when you left the station, but I knew that you
wouldn’t welcome my comfort.”
She smiled. “You’re right. I wouldn’t have. It was better that I had
some time to myself.”
“Sarah, it ain’t that Jimmy don’t care for you.”
“Oh no? Then you want to explain why he told me to leave and that he
didn’t even want anyone to know that we knew one another? That he
didn’t want to see me anymore?” Her voice had risen with each word and
she was nearly shouting by the end. She realized it and looked down at
her hands. “I’m sorry Buck. I don’t mean to shout at you. It’s just
that I don’t understand why Jimmy has done this to me.”
“Sarah, all his life, everything that Jimmy has ever cared for has been
taken away from him. It got worse as the years went by and people
started calling him out. He’s afraid that if he gits involved with
someone, then the people out there will notice an hurt whomever
it is that he cares for.”
“But Buck, I can take care of myself. I can handle a gun as good as a
man. He doesn’t have to worry about me.”
“But he does. And that is why he doesn’t want to see you. He’s realized
that he cares for you and he’s pushing those feelin’s and you away.”
“But it isn’t right. We shared so much together. It makes me believe
that what we did share didn’t mean one thing to him. I feel like I’ve
been used Buck!”
“I think the things that you two shared at the waterfalls and here is
what made him realize that he cared a lot for you. He jist ain’t never
gonna admit it.”
“The he’s just afraid of commitment. Does he think that I expect him to
marry me just because of what happened between us?”
“Sarah, it ain’t commitment that he’s afraid of. I think that he could
love to settle down and raise a family. But that would mean that the
men that call him out would have more than one target, more than one
way to git at him. He ain’t gonna put no one in that position. No
matter how much he mite care for you.”
Sarah sighed and got up to get the coffee. After giving him a cup, and
pouring one for herself, she sat back down. “I just don’t know how to
handle it Buck. If I didn’t care for him it wouldn’t matter. But I’m
afraid I do care for him, very much. And I can’t just let go of those
feelings.”
“I don’t think Jimmy can either. I guess that is the one thing that you
have to hold on to. Maybe he’ll come to his senses.”
They both fell silent and Sarah thought about his words. “Are you going
to come to yours?”
Buck looked at her startled. How had this conversation gone from her
and Jimmy to him and Melissa? “Sarah, it’s totally different with
Melissa. What I did, I had to do. I couldn’t ruin her reputation. A
town never forgits that.”
“Did it ever occur to you that Melissa didn’t give a hang about her
reputation? If she did, she never would have gone to the dance with you
that first night. Melissa does what she feels is right. She doesn’t
listen to what others have to say about someone. She forms her own
opinions.”
“But it wasn’t right for me to ruin her life. She loves playin’ the
organ at the church. She loves doin’ the children’s choir. If’n I
stayed in her life, then she couldn’t do that any more!”
“There are other things in life Buck. She might have thought you were
more important than playing music. But you never gave her a chance to
tell you that. You and Melissa shared as much as me and Jimmy. Maybe
even more because she’s part Indian. Maybe what she should have done
was stood up in front of those people in the beginning and told them
that she was part Cherokee! Then perhaps it would have all been
different!”
“No, she couldn’t have done that. She needs the respect of the people
in this town. She cain’t have that with me. We shouldn’t have been
doin’ them married things. What if’n she’d gotten pregnant?”
Sarah reached out and placed a hand over his. “You wouldn’t have walked
away from her if she had. It would have been your child too!”
Buck sighed and Sarah saw a yearning in his eyes. “I jist don’t know
Sarah.”
“You love her don’t you Buck? If you didn’t you wouldn’t care so much
what the others think.”
He didn’t answer. He just looked at her. Love her? He probably did. In
so many ways. But it was too late. “It don’t matter none. What’s done
is done.”
“No Buck. It can be undone. You got to go inside your heart and see
what lies there. Don’t make a mistake. Melissa is perfect for you.
She’ll understand you like no other lady will. Like I’d understand
Jimmy if he’d give me half a chance.”
They talked for several more hours. Buck left before Melissa got back.
He didn’t want her to catch him there. He gave some thought to what
Sarah had said. But he didn’t think that he wanted to change things. He
still felt that he was doing what was right. But at least he knew that
Sarah was handling Jimmy’s rejection well.
Melissa and Cody had a nice time at the dance. She smiled at everyone
there, though the smile wasn’t inside. She ached to be in Buck’s arms
as she danced around the floor. She just didn’t know how she was going
to get through this.
One the way back to the ranch, Cody brought up church the next morning.
Melissa had already told him that she wasn’t going. “I really think you
should hold your head up high and walk rite in that church in the
mornin’ and play that organ like you ain’t never played it a for!”
“Cody I’ve done told you. I’m not going near that church tomorrow!”
“How bout if’n I come and take you myself?”
“No Cody. I’m not going. It’s sweet what you’re trying to do. But it
won’t change my mind.”
They had reached the ranch and Cody helped her from the buggy and
walked her to the door. “I had a nice time Cody. Thank you.”
“Nice enough to do it again?” He smiled down at her, his lips very
close to her own.
“Sure. You can drop by any time. Except in the morning!” She smiled his
way and he laughed.
“I ain’t makin’ no promises!” Leaning nearer, he kissed her lips.
Melissa had forgotten how nice it was to kiss him. She smiled when he
reached to open the door for her. “I jist mite see you in the mornin’!”
She laughed and went inside. He had better not show up! Sarah was
already in bed, so she turned in herself. Maybe tomorrow would be a
good day.
CONTINUED
COPYRIGHT- M Bolton & R Wooten