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

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