THEIR FATHER’S DREAM

                                                             PART 7

                                      MARY BOLTON & ROBBIE WOOTEN



“Now ain’t that better?” Duell asked as they cuddled together in his bed.

“I have to admit that it is,” she agreed with a smile. “You realize, of course, that the reason you and I are probably attracted to each other is that you remind me a little of Jimmy, and I probably remind you a little of Nora.”

“Yeah, that might have somethin’ to do with it,” he agreed.

“But I think you’ve lived a life that hasn’t been like Jimmy’s life, so I don’t know why you remind me of him.”

“Just how much do you know ‘bout Hickok?” he asked her.

“I just know what his character is like. He’s never been one to talk about himself or what his life was like or what his upbringing was. The rest won’t talk about him either. But you had heard his name before. Do you know something about him?”

Duell sat up in the bed, and pulled Sarah up with him, keeping his arms around her.

“Hickok’s name and reputation is pretty famous in the west. They may have even heard of him back east. He has the reputation of bein’ the fastest gun there ever was here in the west. It’s rumored that he’s kilt at least 20 men in cold blood...some of them famous outlaws...that he’s ruthless, and would rather shoot you than look at you. His pa was a famous abolitionist who was kilt when he was young from what I hear. Hickok has the reputation of followin’ in his pa’s footsteps with that. And I can see by the look on your face you don’t know much ‘bout all this. That’s why these men come lookin’ for him. It will always be that way with him cause they will want to be the one who finally kills Hickok.”

“How did all this happen?” she asked feeling as if she’d been punched in the stomach. Duell was telling her about someone she didn’t know.

“Now that I ain’t so sure on. I jist remember startin’ to hear ‘bout him at some point in my travels. I member feelin’ relieved, hopin’ he would draw off some of the people that was doggin’ me.”

“And now that you’ve met him…do you think it’s all true?”

“That I cain’t rightly say. I know that he can be dangerous. I sensed that about him afore I knew who he was. I know that I wouldn’t want to draw on him or cross him in any way. You didn’t see any a this when you was with him?”

“He was called out one dance night, but that’s been it since I’ve known him. He’s always been quiet, kinda shy, doesn’t want to talk about himself or his past. Now I guess I know why.”

“Like I said, it’s mostly stories ‘bout him, and stories have a way of being made bigger as they go from mouth to mouth. That’s what happened with me. It’s probably happened to him. And that’s probably why he pushed you away, and why he don’t want you ‘round. He don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I can still take care of myself.”

“Knowing what I told you, does that change how you feel?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think so. It’s all kind of a shock,” she admitted. “I guess once I get used to it, I’ll be okay with it, but damn it all, why couldn’t he have told me all this instead of being so secretive about it?”

“He probably didn’t know how you’d take it. I was never too free with my life story with anyone I met while I was on the run. He ain’t on the run, but there’s a place in him that he has to keep to himself.”

“But he was supposed to care about me.”

“And I bet he weren’t used to doin’ that. It was all new ta him. I know’d that afore Nora came along, I didn’t tell too much either. And in the end, I left her cause I couldn’t stay. Don’t be too hard on him. I don’t think he’s got too much experience with woman. Give him time. Maybe he’ll come around on his own.”

“I don’t think so, Duell. He’s pretty insistent that he doesn’t need anyone.”

“Everyone needs someone to love,” he mused to himself. “Even Hickok.”

“I hope you’re right about all this.”

“I hope that I am too,” he smiled down at her before he once again claimed her lips with his.


“Running Buck, Grey Eyes, are you awake?” Buck heard his brother call from outside his teepee in his sleep haze. He looked down to make sure that Melissa was covered.

“Enter,” Buck called out as he sat up and wiped the sleep from his eyes. Melissa started to stir.

Red Bear came in, and Buck could immediately tell that something was wrong.

“What is it, Red Bear?”

“You and Grey Eyes must leave right away!”

“Leave? But why?” Melissa yawned as she, too, sat up, pulling the sleeping fur with her.

“There is sickness starting in the village. I do not know what it is, but you must leave so it does not enter your bodies.”

“But you may need our help!” Melissa told him. “Let’s get dressed and see what we can do to help out.”

“Melissa…maybe we should listen to Red Bear. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Whatever this sickness is, Buck, probably came from my world. I may have already had whatever it is. I want to stay and help, please?”

Buck’s heart softened more for this woman that was his. How could he refuse her request?

“Alright, but you have to be careful.”

“What about you? You’d best be careful too!” she smiled at him as she caressed his cheek.

As alarmed as Red Bear was about the sickness that was taking over his people, he couldn’t help but be touched at the love he was seeing in front of him. Secretly, he was also pleased that Grey Eyes thought enough of his people to stay and help. Of course, one day they might be her people too.

“I will leave you to dress. Then come to my lodge,” he instructed as he backed out of theirs.

“I wonder what’s wrong with them?” Melissa mused as she began to braid her hair. When that was accomplished, she reached for her doeskin dress.

“I don’t know, but I do know one thing.”

“What’s that?” She asked him.

“I’m one lucky brave to have you as his woman. I’m lucky that you forgave me!” he told her humbly.

“And I’m lucky that you came back to me,” she told him as she kissed the mouth that was so close to hers. “Now let’s go see what we can do.”


Sarah smiled as she woke to the feel of soft kisses being deposited all over her face.

“What a great way to be woken up!” she sighed as she rolled over onto her back and opened her eyes to a pair of electric blue ones that were hovering over her. They were filled with a want, one that she knew was also inside of her. She reached for Duell and felt satisfied as his male body covered her female one. She knew now that the light of day was here, that she should think of the consequences. But that would just have to wait.


Melissa quickly decided that some kind of influenza virus was sweeping through the village. During the rest of that day, she felt like she, Buck, Red Bear, and Autumn Wind were the only ones without the sickness. They went from lodge to lodge, ministering to the people, doing what they could to make them feel better. She decided that the only way she would make it through this day, and the next few days, was to turn her mind off and shut out the exhaustion that was threatening to consume her.


Duell and Sarah had forced themselves out of bed, knowing that there were quite a few chores calling to them. After a quick breakfast, they divided the chores up and set about doing them. About mid-morning, Sarah heard the creak of a wagon, and looking up, saw a piano headed her way.

“Duell!” she called as she headed for it, recognizing the bartender who was driving the wagon. Duell hurried over and helped the man unload it. It took a lot of grunting and heaving and shoving, but soon it was sitting in her parlor. Sarah thanked the bartender profusely, and Duell hid his smile behind his hand. The man was close to drooling all over himself from Sarah’s attention, and he felt would have done anything for the lady.

“Melissa will be so excited when she and Buck return!” Sarah enthused as she looked over at Duell, who finally let his laugh out after the bartender had left the house.

“What?” Sarah asked with a smile on her face.

“You don’t realize the effect you have on men, do you?”

“What are you talking about?” Sarah asked him.

“That bartender...he would have done anything you asked, what with the way you was smilin’ at him ‘n all.”

“I wasn’t supposed to thank him?” Sarah asked, amused.

“Oh no…I’m sure you made him the happiest man alive this mornin’!” Duell told her as he hugged her close to him and kissed the tip of her nose.

“Come on McCall, there’s still some work to be done!” she chuckled as she pulled away from him.

He followed her out of the barn, intent on watching her bottom move back and forth. As they walked into the barn, he swooped down on her and lifted her into a soft pile of hay. Immediately he was on top of her, unbuttoning her shirt and kissing his way down to her trousers. A moan came from deep in her throat as her arms went around him. She began to return the kisses before she helped him get out of his clothes. Soon they were both naked and burning with the need for each other as they relearned each other’s bodies. It didn’t take them long to become a part of each other, and they clung to each other as their ride got faster. When he felt her spasms begin, he let his take over, and with two more thrusts, he was done. They held each other close as their breathing returned to normal.

“This is another fine mess you’ve gotten us into McCall. We’ve got hay stuck all over us!”

“We can just jump into the water trough. There ain’t anyone else around,” he dared her as he stood up and held his hand out to her.

With a laugh, she took it, and they quickly went to the trough, got in, and rinsed each other off. Then it was back into the barn. She found a clean blanket so that they could dry off, and she handed his clothes to him. She didn’t think she would ever get tired of looking at his muscled naked body.

“You keep lookin’ at me like that, woman, and we’ll have to go at it again!”

Sarah could feel herself blushing as she quickly looked down at the clothes she was holding.

“Duell…I…”

He quickly knelt down in front of her.

“Ssh, I know, Sarah. I’m feelin’ some of the same things too. I wish my life weren’t like it is, that the Nora thing was settled, I don’t know. Maybe I ain’t bein’ fair to you…”

She looked at his face.

“Why do you say that?”

“All this lovin’ we’re sharin’, that’s how Nora got pregnant. It could happen to you.”

“I knew that before we made love, Duell. That’s a chance I’m willing to take to be with you.”

“If it should happen, ya gotta promise me that you’ll let me know. No matter what happens with me ‘n Nora. I don’t want another child of mine comin’ into the world without me knowin’ bout it. Promise me! I’ll do what I can at the time to help you.”

His eyes were so intense. She knew it was a promise that she would have to make, so she nodded her head yes. That seemed to make him feel a little better.

“As long as you know that I’d be alright if that happened, Duell.”

“I know you would be. But I don’t wanna be shut out again from somethin; like that.”

“I promise.”

“Alright. Now, should we get dressed,” he stated as a smile tugged at his lips.

“Do I have a choice?” she asked, returning the smile.

He pushed her back on the hay, once again covering her body.

“Now that depends,” he told her as he nuzzled her neck. She could feel him starting to get aroused.

“On what?”

“How important it is to you to work these horses? We’ve neglected them terribly today! And what about the fact that we ain’t fed all of them OR turned out Thunder Heart?”

Sarah rolled over on top of him as her hand snaked between them and caressed his hardness.

“I have to admit all that’s important enough,” she told him as Duell closed his eyes so he could concentrate on what her hand was doing. “But I think it’s also important to take care of this problem in my hand. Then we’ll get to work.”

He smiled to himself when he felt her mouth take the place of her hand. It would be so easy to fall in love with this woman…to stay at her ranch with her, to be close to his sister……


“You doin’ alright?” Buck asked Melissa as he finally caught up to her. She looked weary as she brushed some loose hair out of her face. She was stirring some broth.

“Yeah, I thought I would try and get some of this broth down Morning Flower. I think that she’s stopped throwing up, but she needs some nourishment. So do some of the others, Buck, and I think Red Bear is coming down with it, and I’m a little worried about Little Fawn, she’s not doing so well.”

“I’ll go ‘n check on her,” Buck reassured her. “I think I’ll take some of that broth with me.”

They smiled at each other before he left her.



Duell was putting Thunder Heart back in his tall, and Sarah reflected that it wouldn’t be much longer to sunset. She took a deep breath of the fall air and was just about to turn to the house when she heard a rider coming. Looking expectantly up the trail, she saw Cody come flying down it. She walked over to the front porch of the house to wait for him.

“Evenin’ Cody.”

“Evenin’ Sarah. I’m sorry to just drop in like this, but I was wonderin’ if Melissa is about?” he asked as he got off his horse and tied him to the rail.

“No…she’s not,” she told him as she motioned for him to follow her to the porch. She sat down, but he chose to lean against the railing in front of her. He took off his hat, and she could tell that he looked sad.

“It’s true then,” he stated. “I’d heard that she was back with Buck.”

“Yeah...she is,” she told him gently. “You know, she’s always been very fond of you, Cody, but I think she fell in love with Buck the first moment she laid eyes on him. I’m sorry, because I know that you cared about her.”

“Yeah,” he sighed. “I did. I reckon they’re gonna stay together?”

“I think that this time they will. Buck’s come to terms with some things, and I know that Melissa probably will never let him go. There’s no reason you can’t be friends though, if you’d want that. I know it’s not for everyone though.”

“I guess I’m gonna have to think on that. I never really even had a chance…” he drifted off as he looked at her, not really seeing her.

Sarah stood up and squeezed his arm.

“You’re a fine man, William Cody. I know that you probably don’t want to hear this, but you’ve got half the single ladies in town chasing after you. You can have your pick of them. Maybe if you look them over again, you might find one who would suit your fancy.”

“Maybe,” he mumbled. “Well, I guess I’ll git goin’. Thanks for bein’ honest with me, Sarah.”

“There isn’t any point in lying about it all. You take care Cody. I’ll see you around town.”

“I guess you ‘n Jimmy didn’t work out neither?”

“Nope...don’t guess so,” she said, having it still hurt to say it. She gave him a hug and sent him n his way as Duell came walking towards her from the barn.

“Was that Cody?”

“Yeah. He had heard that Buck and Melissa were back together and came to check it out.”

“How’d he take it?” Duell asked as he put his arm around her and steered her into the house.

“He’s sad, but he’ll be alright. Cody has no shortage of women chasing after him. Sort of like you,” she teased.

“The last time I checked, there weren’t no women chasin’ after me.”

“Why Duell McCall, you mean to say that you didn’t notice all those women making eyes at you at the dance?”

“I believe that I only had eyes for one lady at that dance,” Duell informed her, giving her a look that made her feel very warm inside. His lips on her followed his look.

“So, should I start supper, or are we going to be busy?” she asked him.

“Well Miss Brooks, I think we should have supper, then share a bath, and then I been thinkin’ on keepin’ you busy for the rest of the night!”

“I do like the way you think, Mr. McCall!” she approved.


Melissa and Buck worked on through the night. More of the tribe came down with the sickness, including Red Bear and Morning Flower. Bodies burned with fevers and were sponged off. Broth was forced down throats, as was water. Melissa found that she was loosing track of time and dozed in odd places.

Buck smiled to himself as he found Melissa leaned against a tree, dead to the world. He decided to let her rest for at least a half hour. He pulled out two pieces of soft leather from his pack and sat down next to her. He would use this time to watch over her, and begin Sarah’s medicine bag.


Sarah had left Duell at the ranch and had ridden Thunder Heart into town so that she could order enough feed to get through the winter. She was just about to dismount, when she saw Jimmy walking down the boardwalk towards Teaspoon’s office. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched him. She knew that she was looking at him with new eyes. Who was this man and what was he really like? Had he really killed 20+ men? She tried to picture him as a cold hearted and ruthless killer. She remembered the coldness that had come over him the night he had been called out. Had he killed all those men? Was he taking after his daddy as a staunch abolitionist? Was he that uncaring man that he was showing himself to be these day? Damn it all! Who was he? she asked herself again. She smiled as he scratched his cheek, but then he stopped.

Jimmy felt as if someone was watching him. His hand slowly went to his pistol as he casually turned around. Then he saw her...Sarah…sitting on Thunder Heart. She was just watching him from tall in the saddle. And the look that was on her face…she was looking at him as if she didn’t know him...was wondering about him. He half expected her to come over to him like she always did. He took his hand off the grip of his pistol and stood waiting for her. But she didn’t come over. She gave him a very calculating look, then turned Thunder Heart around, dismounted, and hitched him to the rail in front of the general store, before she went inside.

For some reason, it left him shaken. What had those looks been about? And why hadn’t she come over to talk to him? So what that he had told her not to. She’d never listened before! Why did she choose to listen now? He shook his head. Get a hold of yourself, Hickok! She was giving him what he had told her he wanted. Accept that! He turned back to continue his errand, but then decided that he needed to be alone. He headed for Cisco.


It took Sarah a few minutes wandering around the general store before she had her composure back enough to make sense when she placed her order with Mr. Tompkins. She knew that she had been looking at Jimmy through new eyes. He wasn’t the man that she’d thought he was. He was much more complicated. She knew, in her heart, that Duell wouldn’t have told her things that he wasn’t pretty sure were the truth. She was glad that Duell had made it a point to tell her that stories had a way of getting exaggerated, and maybe that’s what it was when people said he had murdered men in cold blood. How could he be such a good friend of Teaspoon’s if he were that sort of man? Teaspoon would never stand for it. But she, herself, had witnessed a gentle, loving side. Again, with what Duel; had told her, she now understood why he didn’t feel like he could let that side show. His survival counted on hiding that away. Was Duell right in saying that everyone needed someone to love? And would Jimmy ever come around to that? She doubted it. He’d made no move to come to her today, and even if he’d wanted to, he would never let himself do it. She sighed. And would someone come along one day that would be faster than he was and kill him? A tear slid down her cheek.

“You alright, Miss Sarah?” Tompkins gently asked her.

“Um...yeah…sorry…I think something flew into my eye,” she said as she quickly finished her business and went out to Thunder Heart. “When won’t it hurt anymore?” she asked the stallion. He nickered at her as she ran her hand down his neck. Then she quickly mounted and headed back to the ranch and Duell. Thinking of him made her smile. She knew that she was transferring her feelings from Jimmy to him. She knew that he reminded her of what Jimmy would be a few years from now. But there was something else about Duell. There was genuineness to him. He was a very caring man, who didn’t believe in lying to you. What you saw was what you got from him. He had a large capacity to love and be loved. She cared a lot for him, and she had to guard her heart not to fall in love with him. It would be easy enough to do. She thought that if she really tried, she could get him to stay on for a time, delay going back to Nora...but was that what she wanted? That would be a hard question to answer.


“What ya makin’?” Melissa asked him as she opened her eyes and stretched.

“Sarah’s medicine bag,” he told her. “I have it sewed together, but I want to put some beading on it to make it special. I heard Morning Flower callin’ for you and was just ‘bout to go.”

“No, I can go. How long was I asleep?”

“Bout 45 minutes is my guess. Maybe tonight we can actually sleep for a time.”

“I doubt it. This influenza has really gotten hold of them. And It’s gonna take a few more days to let loose,” she said pushing herself up.

Buck put the medicine bag back into his pouch, and headed off in the opposite direction.


“With that look on your face, my guess is that you ran into Hickok whilst you were in town,” Duell told her as he climbed onto the fence with her. She’d been watching him work with one of the geldings that was up for sale.

“Not really. I saw him, and I was trying to put what you said about him with him, but it’s not easy. You think you know someone, but then you find out you really don’t.”

“Is that gonna keep you from wantin’ to be with him?”

“It really doesn’t matter, Duell, now does it? That man doesn’t want a thing to do with me. I think I’m actually beginning to accept that, but you’ve helped immensely with that.”

He smiled at her.

“You talk so pretty ‘n all. You been to school?” he asked her, curious to know more about her.

“I was at teacher’s college back east when I got word that my father had died. This place needed me, so I didn’t get to finish.”

“You ever gonna do that?” he questioned.

“I don’t think so, Duell. I’m like Melissa. Dreams change over time. A year ago, all I could think about was being a teacher. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else but run this ranch with Melissa. Strange isn’t it?” Sarah turned to him and gave him a measured look. “What about you, Duell? Is there any way I could talk you into staying on here for a time and joining in the partnership?”

“Are you askin’ jist me or me ‘n Nora ‘n Ethan?”

“I’m asking in any way that you want to be here. Whether it’s with me, with Nora, or with neither one of us. Will you at least think on it?”

“You know Sarah, during all my travels I would meet a woman here or there that I might be with for a day or two...never longer ‘n that, cause I knew I had to keep goin’ to find Emmet…that man I told you ‘bout. When I look into the future, I could see me bein’ with you for a long time...provided you let me wander off now and again.”

“That could be worked out. I could use a good man to go on buying trips for me. That’s not something I really enjoy doing myself.”

Duell nodded his head. “I need to decide ‘bout Nora ‘n Ethan, Sarah, and I don’t wanna hurt you.”

Sarah wound her arm through his and rested her head on his shoulder  “I know that, Duell. I think that I’ll be all right, no matter what you decide. I’m tough…really.”

“You wouldn’t lie to me?”

“No, Duell, never that! I’ll treat you as you treat me.”

They sat there for a few moments. Duell realized that if he was going to stay here with Sarah, he didn’t need to talk to Hickok for her. It was time to start considering his choices.

“Do you care if I take the gelding out on a run tomorrow?”

“No, if you think he’s ready for that, go ahead.”

Duell liked the way Sarah trusted him to do what he thought was right. Working with her would be a pleasure. Being with Melissa all the time would be nice.

Sarah sensed that the reason why he wanted to take the gelding out was because he needed to think some things through.

“If you don’t mind making a day of it tomorrow, I have some fences that need to be checked out on the north side of the ranch…if you wouldn’t mind doing that for me.”

“No, I don’t mind.”

“Good. I’ll pack some food that you can take with you. I don’t want to worry about having you starve to death on me.”

“There is something I’m starvin’ for right now,” he told her as he pulled her closer to him, lifted her heavy mane of hair, and placed some warm kisses on her neck and over her ear. She shuddered with pleasure.

“I think that I am too,” she told him with a mischievous smile as she began to unbutton his shirt. When her hand reached for his belt buckle, he looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

“If you think I can balance us while we do it on the top of this fence, well, I think you ‘n I might git jist a bit brusied when we tumble off it,” he laughed.

“Yes, I can see that would be a possibility,” she told him as she gained entry to his pants and her hand closed around his maleness, which she could feel start to swell in her hand.

Duell unbuttoned her blouse, and gently caressed her breast, finding her nipple and twirling it with his fingers. It hardened in his grip. He loved the look that came over her face.

“Do you think that horse can wait to get brushed down?” he asked before his mouth came down hard on hers. His tongue was immediately entwined with hers, and she didn’t get a chance to answer him. When he finally came up for air, they climbed down off the fence and hurried into the house to continue with their love for each other.


Pale Eagle had promised to wake them in a couple of hours, so Buck and Melissa lay exhausted in each other’s arms.

“I think I’m too tired to sleep,” she mumbled into his shoulder.

“I know. There’s been so much going on, it doesn’t seem like there will be an end to it. I’ve never seen my brother so sick. Do you think he’ll be alright?”

“He’s strong, I’m sure he will be,” she told him as she raised herself over him and lightly kissed him. Buck grabbed hold of her, as if he were sinking and was afraid he would never see dry land again. He quickly took off her shift, and ran his hands over her bottom. She could feel his arousal swell against her bare leg. Urgently, she pulled his shirt over his head, while he took off his leggings. There were no words, only intense feelings. They were both ready for each other almost immediately. He plunged deeply into her, and she took all of him inside of her, wanting to be one person with him. He pushed hard into her, then pulled almost completely out before he pushed in again. She wrapped her legs tightly around him, not wanting to be too far from him. Their climax was intense and they were gasping loudly when it came. Both trembling, they held each other after, and it didn’t take long for either one of them to fall into a deep sleep.


Duell watched Sarah sleep. They’d finally gotten around to eating supper and cleaning up from their hard work of that day. What was it about this woman? He fingered a lock of her golden hair. In looks, she was nothing like Nora. In strength, she was. He knew that he and Nora had never had a relationship based on longevity. They had always known that they cared about each other, but they had never thought that they would be together 20 years from now. When they left each other, they never really thought about the next time they would get together. Nora had probably thought that someone would kill him before he found Emmet. Neither had thought about her getting pregnant. He knew that he loved his son fiercely. He didn’t want to think about his life without him. But did he love Nora just as fiercely? And what if this woman lying with him got pregnant? They were making love enough for that to happen. There was a part of him that knew, if he stayed with this woman, he would be able to love her as fiercely as he loved his son. He knew that this woman would give him his freedom when he needed it. He had a feeling that she would sense when he needed to go and she would let him go.

Then there was Nora. She had been through a lot with him. He knew that she loved him. She had surely put up with enough from him. She’d put up with the uncertainty of never knowing if and when he would show up again. She had sacrificed and gone through the pain of having Ethan alone. She was a good ma. She made a good home for him and the boy. And she understood his need to wander also. Else why would she have sent him on this trip alone to think things through? He had a warm feeling inside for her. The love they made was good. Then he looked at Sarah. The love he made with this woman was wonderful. With Sarah, she left him in no doubt that she wanted him. Nora was a little subtler about it. Nora was a strong woman, capable of making it on her own…so was Sarah.

So it boiled down to who he could love and live with. And he needed to decide that soon. Maybe being alone tomorrow would help him to see what he needed to do with his life and whom he needed to spend it with. He believed Sarah and her offer to come live at her ranch. He believed that she would take him lone, with her, or with Nora. That’s just the kind of lady she was. She was generous to a fault to the people she loved. Did she love him? That thought made him feel good. Would they be able to maintain a loving friendship if he went back with Nora? Probably.

Duell yawned. He had a full day ahead of him tomorrow. He’d best get some sleep. Tomorrow would be plenty soon enough to make a few decisions.


Pale Eagle called to Buck and woke him. Buck gently shook Melissa to wake her.

“Is it time already?” she yawned.

“Why don’t you sleep a little longer?” Buck suggested as he reached for his leggings and began pulling them on.

“No…I’m in this the same way that you are. I’m getting up!” she told him with a determined air.

Buck pulled her against him and breathed her in. “I love you, Melissa...always!”

She turned wondering eyes to him. “You love me?”

“Yes...I have loved you for a long time. But the way you’re taking care of my people, I love you so much,” he told her as he kissed her longingly. He wanted nothing more than to make love to her over and over again.

“I love you too, Buck! I can’t imagine my life without you in it,” she barely whispered to him, so overcome with emotion.

They held each other for a time before reality returned to them. They heard the moans of the sick. They smiled at each other and headed out to help once again.


The next morning, Duell woke early, and loved Sarah for all he was worth. While he washed up, she fixed breakfast and packed some food for him to take for the day. He seemed to have drawn into himself, but she accepted that. She had a feeling that he would come to some decisions about his life today. That was all right. Then she would know where she stood, and she could get on with her life too.


Buck threaded the delicate beads onto Sarah’s medicine bag. He was glad for the distraction. Today a little girl had died from the disease, and it looked as if they might loose some of the elders of the tribe. He didn’t want to think about it, so he worked on Sarah’s bag, pouring his love and time into it. Giving it a design that was special to him, knowing it would be special to her.


Duell worked the horse as he headed for the north fence. After a time, he let his mind wander back to the two women in his life. He knew that he felt obligated to Nora. He knew that he admired her; he knew that he respected her and cared very much for her. Then there was Sarah. He smiled at the thought of her. How would he feel about her when the newness wore off? When they lived with each other day in and day out? Would he want to marry her? Would he ever want to marry any woman? Nora was the mother of his son. By all rights, he should marry her; make his son legitimate to the world. But what if Sarah was pregnant? But Nora loved only him…Sarah loved Hickok. He frowned as he rode along the fence line. That was an inescapable fact. Sarah loved Hickok. It was time for him to put down roots. If he did that with Nora, would he be able to love her given time? He could have a good life with her. She did understand him. But Sarah…was this supposed to be all that he had with her? What would have happened if he had met her first?


Sarah got a lot done that day since she had no one or nothing to distract her. She worked all the horses that she needed to, she cleaned out all the stalls in the barn, and she cleaned and polished all the saddles and bridles. With what energy she had left, she groomed some of the horses, paying special attention to Thunder Heart and Mariah.

As dusk was settling over the ranch, she heard Duell return. She went out to meet him with a tired smile.

“Hi...I missed you today!” She told him as he slid off the horse. “I got a lot done. I know that I must really look a sight!”

Duell took her in. Her clothes were dirty, her hair was tied back, but a lot of it had escaped and was framing her face. There were dirt streaks on her face.

“No, you look beautiful to me,” he told her. “I missed you too.” He hugged her closely to himself. “But you do smell like a horse!”

“Thanks!” She giggled. “Want to share a bath with me?”

“I’d like that,” he smiled down at her as he kissed her. Yeah…he could picture himself doing this ten years from now.

“How was the fence?”

“There’s one place that needs a little work. If you’ve got the wood, we can go out there tomorrow ‘n git it done.”

“I’ve got some wood in the barn. You can look at it and decide if it’s enough.”

“I’ll do that after I take care of this nag!”

“While you’re doing that, I’ll get supper started and get the bath ready. Don’t take too long,” she told him before she kissed his cheek and escaped from his grasp.

He didn’t tarry, and Sarah was in her robe, testing the bath water when he came back in. “I think it’s ready. You can just drop your clothes on the floor.”

“You need someone to wash your back, lady?” He asked as his eyes drank in her naked form. She stepped into the tub.

“If you’re the one offering to do it,” she smiled coyly at him, leaving room in the tub for him.

He went to her immediately. She took the soap and started to wash him off. He grabbed it from her and scrubbed all the dirt off her. “Get your hair wet, and I’ll wash that for you.”

She did as he instructed, and soon her hair was squeaky clean. Then she returned the favor for him. When they were both finished, he gave her a deep kiss, massaging her breasts as he did this. Her hand moved lower, and she started to give him sure strokes. They didn’t notice that the water temperature was getting cooler. They were too lost in each other and the pleasures they could bring to the other. Duell lifted Sarah on top of his hardness, and kept his arms around her waist to help her on the ride. Clinging to him, she came to her climax. His followed soon after, then they just held each other.

“I think we best get out of this water,” Sarah chuckled into his shoulder as she reached for the towels she had laid on a close by chair.

Drying off, she put her robe on again. She found her father’s old robe, and handed it to Duell. He took care of the bath water, then followed her out to the kitchen to watch her finish fixing their meal. After she had served him, she sat across from him. Immediately she noticed that he wasn’t really eating his food. He was doing a better job of pushing it around the plate. Suddenly he looked up at her.

“Sarah, I did a lot of thinkin’ whilst I was gone today.”

“Oh?” she asked him as she set her fork down.

“There’s somethin’ I got to know.”

“And that is…?”

“If Hickok ‘n I was standin’ in front of you, and you could have your choice of one of us, who would you take?”

“Now that ain’t likely to happen, Duell!” she told him stalling for time.

“I ain’t too good at words sometimes, but Sarah, you do somethin’ to me. I get somethin’ from you that I ain’t had with Nora. Don’t git me wrong, I care for Nora. She’s a good woman and a good ma to Ethan. But you, you offered to let me be a partner in your ranch. I could love you a lot. I think I’m startin’ to feel that way. But I know that you love Hickok. I think if both of us offered to marry you, you’d take his offer. Be honest with me.”

Sarah swallowed, then took a deep breath to still her breathing and her stomach. She couldn’t give Duell any less than he had given her.

“I think I’m starting to feel that way about you too, Duell. You’re a good man. Lord but I wish I had met you before I met Hickok! But you’re right, I do love Hickok. And I don’t even know why. Especially since he’s the most pig-headed, most difficult man to love. I know that he isn’t going to love me. I know that he isn’t going to even consider marrying me. I know that I should quit thinking about him and look elsewhere, but there’s a part of me that won’t let me do that. I think that over time, if I married a man like you, I would honestly love you, but there would always be a piece of me that Jimmy owned.”

Duell nodded, having already known this. With sudden insight, he knew this was the way Nora felt about him. Sarah’s hand came across the table to squeeze his. “I’m honored that you are falling in love with me. I know that there will be times that I’m going to hate myself for saying what I’m about to say, but I have to say it. I think that you belong with the mother of your son. I think you should go back and talk it out with her. And if for some reason it doesn’t work out, you can always come back here and be welcomed! Or you can come back here with Nora and Ethan. The partnership will always be there for you, because I know that I’ll always care about you and love you.”

Those blue eyes bore into her.

“Could you be happy with me?”

“Yes, I think we’re well suited to each other,” she stated honestly.

“If you wanted me to stay, all you have to do is ask.”

“I know, but I won’t do that, Duell. I think I’ll hate myself later for telling you that too,” she admitted. “I think we both know that you’ll always wonder what it would have been like with Nora and Ethan, just like I would always wonder what it would have been like with Jimmy.”

“Yeah, then I guess that when Melissa gets back, I’ll stay for a couple more days, but then I’d best get back to California.”

“Will you ever take me up on my offer?”

“If Nora don’t mind movin’ again, I think I’d like it here.”

“Good! Melissa and I would really like that.”

“And what if’n we do that ‘n you ain’t with Hickok?”

“Duell, I would respect what you and Nora have.”

“But I don’t know if I would,” he admitted. “Especially if somethin’ came outta all our lovin’.”

Sarah looked down at her lap, and then back up at him. They were still holding hands. “Things will happen as they’re supposed to. I have to believe that. You have to do that too.”

“Alright,” he agreed.

“Feel a little better now that you’ve made a decision?”

“Yeah…I do,” he told her with a smile.

“Good, then eat your supper. We still have some time together, and I plan on enjoying it.”

“I do too. You know somethin’?”

“What?”

“Hickok’s a fool not to be with you. I think you could handle it all.”

“Tell him that,” she kidded him. “Now let’s eat!”


Buck was sponging off his brother, whose fever was still high. Melissa was attending to Autumn Wind. Would this disease never end? He felt like he had been in the village for a year instead of a few days. He looked over at his lady and had to smile in spite of himself. She was remaining cheerful in spite of everything. She always had a ready smile for anyone who needed it. But inside he knew she was grieving for those who weren’t going to live through this. The grandmother spirit had been right about the two of them.


Duell came up behind Sarah, who was in the barn checking supplies, and quickly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her hard against him. He kissed her neck and told her, “If you don’t mind, I’m goin’ into town to pickup a couple of gifts for Nora ‘n Ethan. Anythin’ you need while I’m there?”

Sarah turned around in his arms and put hers around his neck.

“Can’t think of anything, but I’ll miss you while you’re gone.”

He teased her lips with his. “Why don’t you come with me?”

“I’d love nothin’ better, but Flame is having problems with his right foreleg, and I need to do some doctoring on it. Just don’t be gone too long.”

“And what do I have to look forward to when I come back?”

Sarah pressed her mouth hard against his, running her tongue around the inside of his lips and all over his tongue before she sucked hard on it. Then she pulled away.

“Much more of that, Mr. McCall.”

“I won’t be too long,” he laughed, feeling half aroused, and not really wanting to leave her.

“Good!” she told him as she pushed him away.

Duell smiled to himself shaking his head and heading for his horse. The ride to town didn’t take long, and he went immediately to the general store. He selected some lacy material and threads for Nora, some sturdier cloth for Ethan, along with a small wood toy horse. There was a real pretty hairbrush that he also found for Nora. He was just about to pay for everything when his eyes fell on a delicate gold necklace. There was a small pearl dangling from it, and he knew that it would look perfect around Sarah’s neck. He added that to all his purchases, paid Tompkins for them, and put them in his saddlebag before he untied his horse. Looking around him as was his habit, he found Hickok, leaning against a post, talking to Teaspoon and Cody. What had Sarah said? She’d said to talk to Hickok for her. And while she’d been funnin’ about it, he knew that it might not be a bad idea. He wanted Sarah to be happy, and he didn’t think that would happen until she and Hickok were together.

Duell waited until the conversation ended. When Cody and Jimmy started to walk away, he hurried to catch up to them.

“Hey Cody…Jimmy,” he smiled at the two men.

“Why hello, Duell,” Cody greeted. “Melissa and Buck back yet?”

“Not yet, but I don’t expect them for a couple more days. You alright?”

“Getting’ by. What can we do for you?”

So far, Jimmy hadn’t said anything to him, but he was watching him closely.

“I was wonderin’ if I could have a word with Jimmy?”

“Sure,” Cody stated easily. “I’ll see you back at the station, Jimmy.” Cody walked away and Jimmy looked expectantly at Duell.

Duell could tell that Jimmy did not want to talk to him, and that even being this close to him was irritating him.

“Can we go somewhere and talk?” Duell asked him. “I don’t really want to say what I have to say in the middle of town.”

“Here’s fine,” Jimmy told him, not wanting to give this man an inch.

“I want to talk to you ‘bout Sarah.”

Jimmy shook his head and started to walk off. “I ain’t gonna talk to you none ‘bout Sarah.”

So Duell did what he had to do. He quickly drew on Jimmy. Jimmy saw his hand move, but had been turning away and when he went to go for his gun, he wasn’t fast enough. But Duell was. Duell came in close to him, not wanting to let the rest of the town know what was going on. He held the gun against Jimmy’s stomach.

“Now we both know that the only reason I was faster ‘n you was because you didn’t think I would do this. Which is a good lesson for you to learn. People can draw on you when you least expect it! I’d a thought you’d know that by now. Now I want to talk to you ‘bout Sarah, and I mean to do it. Where’s your horse?”

“At the station!” Jimmy ground out through clenched teeth, angry with himself for letting this man, of all men, get the drop on him. Duell knew at that moment that Hickok was angry enough to kill him.

“Now I’m gonna let you go git your horse if you give me your word that you’ll ride outta here and meet me somewhere. You name the place.”

Jimmy saw the hard, cold look in Duell’s eyes. He felt, for some reason, as if he was seeing himself in those eyes. And he had to admit that there was a part of him that was curious about what Duell wanted to talk to him about.

“I’ll meet you at the big tree outside of town in ten minutes. You can follow me from there.”

“Alright. I’ll meet you there.” Duell told him as he holstered his gun not once taking his eyes off the man moving away from him. He briefly wondered if he was the only man to draw on Hickok and live to tell about it.

Jimmy just nodded and walked off. Duell let out his breath and headed for his horse. Now he just had to figure out how he could make Jimmy listen to him.


Cisco was saddled and Jimmy swung himself up. He walked his horse out of the yard in the direction of the large tree. He was still angry at Duell, but hadn’t he known that Duell was someone he wouldn’t want to meet in a draw? McCall had just proved why he’d felt that way. Plus this man was more than what he seemed. He had already taught him a valuable lesson. One he’d already known, but had just reinforced to him. No matter the situation, he could never let his guard down.

Duell was waiting for him, lazily leaning on his saddle horn. Jimmy just motioned for him to follow him as he cantered by. They rode for about a half hour before Jimmy finally pulled up and dismounted. Duell looked around him, appreciating the surroundings. It was a clearing by a large pond. Jimmy took his hat and gloves off, sat down, and leaned against a tree.

“You got me here...now talk,” he ordered, eyeing him warily.

Duell took off his hat and sat on a rock, opposite Jimmy.

“When I was a kid, I never got on with my pa. He n’ I was always batting heads, so when I was almost full growed, I left home. I wandered from place to place and eventually settled in this nice little town. Not long after I did that, I was framed for a murder that I didn’t commit. Luckily, the Marshall believed I was innocent, so he let me go to try ‘n find Emmet, the guy that really did the murder. I had a large bounty on my head, so I spent five years goin’ from place to place, always watchin’ my back so no one could sneak up on me, and always keeping most folks at arms length so they couldn’t get too close. As I traveled round, the stories ‘bout me grew. By the time I found Emmet, I had so many charges against me, well, no man coulda done all that I was accused a doin'. And durin' those years, I met a woman, Nora, that I spent time with over the years. She’s a good woman. Sarah kinda reminds me of her.”

“So? Why you tellin’ me all this? I don’t care much ‘bout yer life,” Jimmy lied, for in truth, he was fascinated and had quite a few questions he would have liked to ask.

“I know’d that. I know’d that you don’t like me much, and the main reason you don’t like me much is ‘cause I’ve been spendin’ time with the lady that I think you love. I’m tellin’ you ‘cause I think your life is a lot like mine. I heard a you, Hickok. Your name and what you supposedly done is all over these parts. The longer the time goes by, the bigger the stories grow ‘bout you. They dog you no matter where you go. You’re always lookin’ over your shoulder ‘cause you don’t know who’s gonna call you out next. You’re always worried that someone will be faster ‘n you. You don’t think I didn’t concern myself ‘bout that? You aint’ bein’ framed for a murder you didn’t commit, but I see me in you. The way I was all those years on the run. You get to the point where you don’t trust no one. That you don’t let people get to know you ‘cause you know you’re gonna have to leave them soon. You guard what you say to people, what you let them know ‘bout you. And like me with Nora, with Sarah you see that you could have love in your life but you’re too damned afraid to let it in. You tell yourself that you don’t need a lady in your life. That it’s too dangerous for them to be a part of your life. You spend a little time with them and then push them away, and in the end, you could find yourself alone. It’s not right, Jimmy. What you’re doin’ to Sarah, it ain’t right…to her or to you.”

“You lost Nora?” Jimmy asked him.

“Almost did. While I was still on the run, the last time I seen her I found out she’d had a baby boy. He was mine. She got tired of me always leavin’ her behind. Not trustin’ her enough to take her with me. She told me to go my own way, not to come ‘n see her again. It was shortly after that I found Emmet and got my pardon. I didn’t want to live without her, so I went back and begged her to try it with me so I could help her raise the boy. I was lucky when she said yes. We moved to California to start things new, but I had this restless itch ‘bout me. I’d been on the road so long that I wasn’t sure that I wanted to stay there with her, so she let me come see Melissa, cause she wasn’t sure neither.”

“And now?”

“I’ll be leavin’ to go back to her after Melissa gets back with Buck. The point I’m tryin’ to make is that Nora was tough enough to be by my side the whole time…like Sarah is with you. Nora could take care of herself. She still can, even with Ethan. Sarah is a strong woman who is also able to take care of herself and those around her. She wouldn’t let you down. You’re tellin’ yourself that you don’t need no one in your life…specially a woman. I’m here to tell you that it git’s real lonely out there. Everyone needs someone to love ‘em...no matter who they are. You cain’t jist turn your back on her. That’s wrong, and you know it in your heart! Sarah would help you watch yer back. And you cain’t tell me that I don’t know what I’ talkin’ ‘bout cause I’ve lived it myself! The only difference between us is how the lie told ‘bout us got bigger than we are!”

Jimmy nodded his head, almost afraid to speak. Duell could have been talking about his life! Was it all true?

“I saw the way you was lookin’ at Sarah at the dance,” Jimmy told him. “I thought that you ‘n her was havin’ somethin’ between you.” He couldn’t believe how important this answer was to him.

“I could love Sarah a lot. I git somethin’ from her that I ain’t never had with no one else. I asked her if we could git somethin’ goin’, and I woulda stayed, not really carin’ that you loved her too.”

Jimmy’s stomach was churning. He clenched his fists.

“So why ain’t ya stayin’?”

“Cause she let me know that no matter what happened between the two of us, she would always love you. I don’t reckon she’s ever told you she loves you. And I don’t reckon you’ve ever told her that you love her. I think it’s time you think things through and put your pride aside, and start seein’ her again. You hurt her bad, Hickok…especially that last time she tried to talk to you in town."

“So you’ve talked to me now. Can I leave?” Jimmy asked, feeling more anger than he’d ever felt in his life, not really sure why.

Duell wasn’t sure if Jimmy had really listened to him. Oh well, he’d tried.

“Yeah. I’m done with ya,” he replied, making no move to get up and leave.

Jimmy started for Cisco, his mind moving faster than it had before. Just as he was about to mount, he stopped and looked back at Duell.

“How ya goin’ to live a normal life after all that’s happened to you? You know this stuff is gonna follow you round.”

Duell struggled to hide his smile. So he had listened!

“I’m gonna take it one day at a time Jimmy. I figure as long as you have someone to love you beside you, you can take it one day at a time.”

Jimmy nodded his head slightly as he got on his horse. Finally, he gave a half smile to Duell and pointed a gloved hand at him.

“Don’t ever draw on me again. Next time I’ll best ya!”

“I know. That’s why I ain’t gonna ever do it again!” Duell laughed. “It only happened cause I caught ya off guard. Otherwise I’d probably be dead now!”

Jimmy wheeled Cisco around and galloped off. Duell laughed again. Hickok was one complicated individual. Was Sarah aware of all that? Would he come around and get back with Sarah? Only time would tell. He got on his horse and hurried towards Sarah, knowing what was waiting for him.


Buck worked some more beads onto the bag. He was so tired, that he was seeing double, so he finally gave it up. He lay down next to Melissa, who was already asleep. He pulled her into his arms, and in her sleep, she cuddled up next to him, seeking his warmth. He kissed her hair, and closed his eyes.



“I don’t know what I’m going to do when you leave, Duell McCall!” Sarah pretended to pout as Duell rolled off her, but kept her pulled tightly against him.

“What ya mean?” he asked as he kissed her cheek.

“I’m so used to tumbling into bed whenever I want with you…I’ll really miss this when you leave me.”

“I can stay, pretty lady,” he told her as he kissed his way down her neck. “Jist tell me to stay.”

“Oh hush, and kiss me!”


Buck smiled to himself as he looked at Sarah’s completed medicine bag. It had turned out well. He placed a sprig of sage inside, knowing the rest would have to come from her since only she would know what she needed for her protection. Then he frowned as he looked over at Melissa, who was ministering to Autumn Wind. She wasn’t doing well. At least Red Bear was beginning to recuperate.


Jimmy galloped Cisco hard for a distance, then good sense returned to him, and he slowed him to a walk. All he kept hearing was McCall saying that he loved Sarah. How did Sarah feel about McCall? Were they lovers too? They were spending an awful lot of time alone together since Melissa wasn’t around. Swearing under his breath, he turned Cisco around and headed back for the station. But as if a man possessed, he again turned Cisco and headed for Sarah’s ranch. He needed to see for himself what was going on out there.


“We best go out and finish up our day,” Sarah told him as she finally sat up on the bed and reached for her clothes.

“How’s Flame’s leg?” Duell asked her, following her lead.

“I think it’s a little better. I’d like you to look at it though.”

“Sure...let’s do that first. After that, I’ll spread some hay out. And tomorrow we best get to that fence.”

“Yes sir!” she smiled as she gave him a mock salute.

They finished dressing and headed to the barn to check on the horse. Duell agreed that Flame was on the road to recovery. She decided to take a pregnant mare out on a line to graze in some of the lush grass, while Duell pitched hay to the horses.

“Why don’t you tie her to a stake and come back and keep me company?” he asked her as he took his shirt off and hung it on a fence post. His muscles bulged, she noticed, as he picked the hay bale up.

“I can do that!” she smiled as she led the mare out to the grass, holding a stake and a hammer. She carried on a conversation with her as they walked, and the mare seemed content as soon as they reached the grass.


Jimmy pulled up on a hill above the ranch. His greedy eyes watched every move that Sarah made. He drank her in as she walked a pregnant mare to a grassy area. McCall was carrying out some hay bales. When he had a few out, he started to break them up and started tossing them into the horses that were in the corral. Sarah walked back towards McCall, and playfully picked up a handful of hay and tossed it at him. He could hear McCall’s laughter, as he grabbed some hay and tossed it at Sarah. Soon they were in a full-fledged battle. Then it changed before Jimmy’s eyes. McCall suddenly grabbed Sarah, and pulled her down into what was left of the pile of hay. Jimmy could feel the jealous anger curl through him as McCall began to kiss Sarah, but she wasn’t fighting him. Her arms went around his neck and it looked as if she were returning his kisses. They had to be lovers! Jimmy swore to himself. Not wanting to see anymore, he wheeled Cisco around and left the scene.

“You are one sexy, crazy man, Duell!” she purred into his ear before she kissed it.

“I know,” he teased before he kissed her once more, then helped her up off the pile. He pulled some strands of hay out of her hair, and then returned to his task, while Sarah grabbed another pitchfork and worked along side him.



The next morning, Duell and Sarah loaded wood onto the buckboard so they could repair the fence. Duell made sure that they had hammers and plenty of nails. Then he put his pistol around his waist, making sure there was plenty of ammunition with it. Looking over at Sarah, he asked.

“Do you own a sidearm?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Why don’t you never wear it?”

“You’ve got yours on,” she replied.

“You ever had any trouble in these parts?”

“Not much. Every now and then, the dog soldiers turn up, but the last time Cody and Hickok were with me and Melissa. It worked out alright.”

“Will you make me a promise since I’m the one askin’ you?”

“What’s that?” she asked, finally giving him her full attention since he seemed so serious.

“You’re a lady, alone, and you never know what’s gonna happen once you leave this place. I want you to promise me that you’ll always wear a pistol when you’re outside. When you’re not, keep it by your front door so you can git it quickly. I need to know that you’re gonna protect yourself. Promise me!”

She saw the sense in what he said. Wasn’t she the one who kept telling people that she could look out for herself? Maybe it was time she started acting like she really could.

“Alright. I promise that I’ll do that,” she told him as she went to get her pistol and buckled it on.

“Um, you can shoot, cain’t you?” he asked with a smile.

“I’m not as good as Jimmy or you, I’m sure, but I can actually hit what I’m aiming at if I shoot at it a couple of times.”

“Good enough,” he smiled at her, feeling better. “I want Melissa to wear one too.”

“I’ll see that she gets one,” she assured him.

“Okay, let’s git that fence mended.”


“I don’t believe that most of the village is getting well,” Melissa stated wearily as she pushed back her hair from her face.

“Yeah, even Autumn Wind,” Buck said, relieved that she wouldn’t be going to the spirit world just yet.

“I didn’t think it would ever end. Poor Sarah and Duell are probably worried about us.”

“They know you’re okay as long as you’re with me,” he assured her. “Cause if they were really worried, they’d a been out here lookin’ for ya.”

“I guess,” she murmured. “I’m going to need to get back soon. I know that Duell isn’t going to stay forever, and I need to spend some more time with him.”

“We’ll go tomorrow morin’ if’n everythin’ is alright here,” Buck assured her.

“Thanks,” she told him with a kiss. He smiled at her. “Now you’d best go and talk to your brother. He was asking for you.”

Buck nodded his head as he got up and headed that way. He was happy to see Red Bear was sitting up and chewing on some pemmican.

“My brother…come sit,” he bade him. Buck did that, giving his brother a fond smile.

“What did you want to talk to me about, my brother?”

“I wanted to thank you and your woman for helping out your people during this time of great need, not having concerned yourself with the fact that you might catch the sickness.”

“We both wanted to do it,” he assured him.

Red Bear nodded his head.

“Grey Eyes, you will marry her soon?”

“I don’t know. I really haven’t thought about it.”

“You will marry her?”

Buck smiled as he moved his head up and down.

“Yes, I will marry her one day soon, I hope. We haven’t talked of it though.”

“She’s a good woman. Your people are her people. You will have a good life together.”

“Yes, I think we will.”

“Will you have a ceremony here or a white man’s ceremony?”

“Whatever Grey Eyes wants she can have. I have a feeling that we’ll have it here if that is alright with you.”

“You know that it is. I already look at her as a sister.”

“I’ll tell her that. She’ll like that.”


“You know, Buck and Melissa have been gone a long time!” Sarah told Duell over supper that night. “I keep thinking I should worry, but I know that if she’s with Buck, she’s okay.”

Duell took one of her hands in both of his. “I do want to spend some time with my sister before I leave. I hope that she gets back soon, but as much as I hate to admit it, if she hadn’t a left with Buck, you ‘n I mite never have gotten together.”

“That’s the truth,” she agreed. “How do you think Melissa will feel about us?”

“I’ll talk to her about it when she gets back. I aim to stay with you until I leave…if that’s what you want too.”

She caressed his cheek with her free hand. “I definitely want that too. I would appreciate it if you talked to her and made her understand about it.”

“I will…after all, I doubt she ‘n Buck are sleeping in separate tipi’s at the village. The Indian’s are much more open ‘bout doin’ this stuff than we whites are.”

“That’s alright with you? That she and Buck are lovers?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? I know they love each other. I think he’s gonna marry her one day. There ain’t nuthin’ wrong with lovin’ someone.”

“You’re a very understanding man, Duell.”

“I think bein’ on the run for so long helps with that.”

“I don’t know. I think it would have turned some men very hard and bitter. I’m glad that it didn’t do that you.”

Duell liked the looks coming from her eyes. They warmed him from head to toe.

“Do you think these dishes can wait for a time?” he asked hopefully.

“I think so,” she said as she licked her lips, anticipating what would be happening soon.

Duell just stood up, came over to her, and picked her up off the chair. The dishes would have to wait until morning!


Jimmy tossed and turned in his bunk. He couldn’t get the image of Sarah and Duell rolling around in the hay out of his mind. He kept seeing their shared kisses. And he knew it wasn’t the first time they had kissed. They’d been so at ease with each other. Maybe Duell had lied. Maybe he was staying with her. But if that were true, why had he gone to all the trouble of talking to him? Jimmy didn’t have any answers. He rolled over again.


When Buck and Melissa came to tell Red Bear goodbye, he surprised her with a big hug holding her close for a minute.

“Come back soon, my sister. Our village will smile when we see you again.”

“Thank you Red Bear,” she smiled up at him, knowing that there was no doubt that she was an accepted member of the tribe. “What you say moves me.”

“You move us with your loving ways,” he told he as he kissed her forehead. “Come back soon.”

“I will!” she told him as she kissed his cheek in return.

Buck was so overcome with emotion at seeing this exchange, he felt his eyes tear up. This was good and very right!


“Duell! They’re back!” Sarah screamed as she saw Buck and Melissa riding down the hill.

Duell came to stand at her side as they watched the couple ride closer. “It’s about damn time!” he told Sarah, feeling happy to know that Melissa was all right.

“I was worried about you two!” Sarah cried as they rode into the yard. “Why were you gone for so long?”

Sarah enfolded both of them in a hug as they dismounted.

“Influenza swept through the village, and we stayed to help.”  Melissa explained.

“Oh no! How bad was it?” Sarah asked her.

“Pretty awful. Three of the children died, and two of the elders. I was so sad.”

Sarah threw a sympathetic look Buck’s way, and he nodded at her. Melissa went over to Duell. “I’m sorry that I was gone so long. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

Duell threw an arm around her and pulled her close.

“You’re forgiven, little sister, as long as you find time to spend with me afore I leave.”

“I definitely will.”

“Then why don’t you come with me whilst I take care of yer horses?” Duell asked her.

“I’d like that.”

“And I’ll keep Buck occupied!” Sarah smiled at the brother and sister. “In fact, how bout if I fix lunch?”

“I’m all for that!” Melissa called over her shoulder.

“Keep me company?” she asked her blood brother.

“Okay,” he said taking off his hat as they went into the house.

“I’m sorry that your time at the village was so sad,” she told him. “I sorta felt it, but I was totally occupied with my own life…so…you staying here with Melissa for awhile? You’re invited you know...for as long as you want to be here.”

“I’d like that...for at least a couple days. I’ll just have to ride into town and ask Teaspoon what’s goin’ on.”

“You can do that tomorrow. You and I both know that if you go today, something will come up and you won’t be able to stay.”

Buck just laughed as he sat down at the table. He watched as Sarah efficiently began to prepare their food. He saw her biting on her lip.

“Okay, there’s somethin’ you think you need to tell me?” he asked as if he could read her mind. She chuckled to herself since he probably could.

“Yeah...if you’re staying here tonight you’ll find something out, so I may as well just tell you. Duell and I are lovers. We have been since the day you left. It just sort of happened, but I’m glad that it did. He took my mind off Jimmy. He’s a wonderful man, and he’s told me that he would stay here with me if I asked him. I haven’t done that, so in a few days he’ll head back to his lady and their son.”

Buck felt his mouth hit the floor. “I warned you ‘bout that, Sarah. How could you do that?”

“And you and Melissa weren’t?” she countered as calmly as possibly. “Don’t you understand what Jimmy did to me when he walked out on me? Duell understood about it. He’s been just what I needed to get things together for myself. It still hurts about Jimmy, but not as much as it used to.”

“But what if you get in the family way?” he asked her, still dumbfounded. He had never thought that Sarah and Duell would get together. “What if Jimmy comes round one day?”

“So what if I do get pregnant? Duell would be there in some way to support me through it. We’ve talked about the possibility. And Jimmy isn’t going to come around. We both know that.”

“Sarah…what’s gonna happen when he leaves here? You’re gonna be hurt all over again.”

Sarah stomped her foot in frustration and turned around, a knife in her hand. She pointed it at him.

“I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I’ve told you what I need to tell you about the man. Duell and I care about each other. We understand what each other’s limitations are. Mine is that I’ll always love Jimmy. His, that he wants to raise his son. We accept that about each other, but we aren’t going to waste the time that we have together. Is that understood?” she told him harshly.

Buck opened his mouth to reply to what she said, but realized he’d better not say anything. Instead, he got up and walked out to the corral. He just didn’t understand.


Duell tossed Melissa a brush after they had unsaddled the horses. They began to curry the horses, and Melissa was nervous about what she knew she had to tell Duell.

“Were you ‘n Sarah okay while I was gone?” she asked.

“Oh yeah, we was jist fine. You ‘n Buck get it all straightened out?”

“Yes. If it hadn’t been for the illness, it would have been perfect. That’s what I need to talk to you about. I’m hoping that Buck will stay here for at least tonight.”

“I’m sure that he’d like that,” was Duell’s reply.

“Um...he’ll he sleeping with me, Duell.” she said, then braced herself for what she was sure would be the fallout from that remark.

“I figured as much,” he told her without looking up at her.

“You did?” she asked, surprised. “You’re taking it so well.”

“Little sister...I wasn’t born yesterday. I know you love the man. I didn’t think you was sleeping in a different teepee while you was there. He’d jist best marry you one day and do what’s proper if’n you git pregnant.”

“He would,” she stated, relieved.

“Good. And as long as we’re on the subject, Sarah ‘n I...we’re together until I leave ‘Lissa.”

She dropped the brush she was holding.

“Are you telling me that…”

“We’re sleeping together? Yes, that’s what I’m tellin’ you. I love her, ‘Lissa. I’d stay here and do what’s honorable if’n she’d let me, but she won’t. She still loves Hickok. So in a few days I’m goin’ back to Nora and Ethan. I’m gonna ask her to marry me...be a proper pa to the boy. She deserves that from me…”

Melissa picked up the brush.

“You love Sarah? How can you go back to Nora if you love someone else? I thought you loved Nora…”

Duell came around the horse he was working on to stand across from the horse she’d been brushing.

“I will love Nora in time. Sarah will always be special to me. I’m more acceptin’ of the idea as the days go by. But I want to be with her till I hafta go. You gonna be alright with that?”

“Yeah, I guess. It’ll take some getting’ used to,” she admitted.

“Thanks!” he told her planting a kiss on her forehead. He went back to his horse. “And Sarah’s offered me a partnership in the ranch. She wants me to come back after Nora ‘n I git hitched. What do you think?”

“You’d be here all the time? That would be wonderful! But if you love Sarah, wouldn’t that be just a little awkward?”

“By the time that I git back, hopefully all that will be over in my head. And maybe by the time I git back, you’ll be ready to marry Buck. Now wouldn’t that be nice?”

“Yeah, it would be. Buck and you all at once!” she smiled.


Why was he so angry at Sarah…so disappointed in her? If anyone had told him this would be his reaction to what she’d told him, he would have laughed. It was her life. It had nothing to do with him.

“You’re disappointed because your little dream has gone out the window!” he muttered to himself. “You wanted her with Jimmy.”

He stared off to the hills. What was wrong with Sarah finding some happiness right now? And what if it was with Duell? He seemed to be a good man. Sarah wouldn’t have a lover that wasn’t a good person.

“Buck?” Sarah asked softly as she came up and stood next to him. “I don’t want to be on the outs with you.”

“I don’t wanna either,” he admitted. “I’m sorry. You just caught me by surprise. It’s your life to do what you want with it. Here you’d just offered to let me stay for a time, and I jumped all over you.”

Sarah wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned her head on his shoulder. “It’s alright.”

“But I think that you’re makin’ a mistake. I want you to be happy, ‘n he’s just gonna leave you.”

“Because I told him too!” she reminded him. “And now that I know how you feel and you know how I feel, let’s leave it be, okay? That way we won’t yell at each other anymore.”

Sarah smiled when she felt his arm snake around her waist, and he rested his head on top of hers.

“Don’t wanna, but I will. I missed you, you know.”

“I know…I missed you too,” she sighed.


Duell and Melissa walked out of the barn arm and arm. He stopped their forward progress when he saw Buck and Sarah.

“They really are close, aren’t they?” Duell asked her.

“Yeah, they are. I have a feeling that while I wasn’t with Buck, they were getting together. She’d disappear for hours at a time. I think they communicate mentally or something. I mean we’d be working and all of a sudden her head would come up, and she’d be telling me that she had to leave for awhile.”

“And that don’t bother you none?”

“Nope. They’re like brother and sister…not at all like he and I are,” she explained. “He needs that with her. I think he’s convinced that his dead friend Ike sent her to him, and he honors that.”

“That’s good you understand.” Duell told her.

“I’d say so…hey! Brooks! I thought you were fixin’ lunch!”

She and Buck turned towards them.

“I was. Buck distracted me. Come on in the house and keep me focused,” Sarah laughed as she kissed Buck’s cheek and pulled away from him.

She and Melissa walked into the house, and Melissa immediately saw it.

“Oh my God! Sarah! Duell! It’s a piano!”

“Yeah, we know,” Duell stated dryly. “It’s been waitin’ for you to come home ‘n play it.”

“Oh thank you!” she exclaimed as she hugged them both and sat down to begin playing.

And magic happened as her fingers began to weave their spell. Lunch was forgotten as the three of them sat down, entranced with what she was playing.



Jimmy made his destination, handed the mail off, and took his horse to the Express Station in Saint Joe. He stopped at the newspaper office to pick up the papers he would take on his return trip. He mad it back to the Express Station and found his fresh horse waiting for him, and he could see the rider hurrying towards him, in the distance, with the mail he would be taking back with him. He stashed the newspapers, then mounted waiting for the handoff. The pouch was tossed at him, and he was off on his return trip to Rock Creek.

He urged his horse on and finally gave in to his thoughts that were intruding in his head. Duell and Sarah. He could still hear Duell telling him that he loved Sarah, but he was starting to remember the rest that Duell had told him. Duell’s tale of being on the run for five years, his attempts at a relationship with Nora, Duell warning him that he could turn into him if he didn’t let Sarah into his life, that he hadn’t done right by Sarah. That he’d hurt her terribly, that Sarah was strong, could take care of herself, could help him watch his back, that it was time, no matter what was going on in his life to open up to her and let her know him.

If what Duell said was true, he had lived the life and knew what he was talking about. But Duell had that air about him, one of watchfulness. Always being aware of what was going on around him, like he, himself was. And McCall had gotten the drop on him. As far as Jimmy knew, no one else would be able to do that. What if the beliefs that he had held so long were wrong? But what if he got together with Sarah and something happened to her? He remembered when he’d run into her while he’d been talking to Mariah. He’d seen the hurt in her eyes as he’d backed off from her. But then the last time he’d seen her, she’d given him the strangest looks…why? Were there really any right answers to any of this? He knew that he’d have to mull it over for awhile.


Duell and Melissa had wandered off on the pretext of Duell wanting to show her a new foal, but they both knew it was because brother and sister wanted to spend some time together. Buck had helped Sarah with the supper dishes, and had briefly entertained the idea of giving her the medicine pouch he’d made for her, but decided against it. Now was not the time. Sarah had just put away the last bowl and turned to him.

“Want to sit outside on the porch swing?”

“Yeah, I’d like that.” he told her as he followed her out.

They sat down next to each other and companionably swung. Buck could feel Sarah’s mind working, so he waited patiently for her to speak her mind. It didn’t take long.

“Buck?”

“Hmmm?” he asked, turning towards her.

“Duell told me some things about Jimmy, and I was wondering if they were true.”

“What did he tell you?”

“That Jimmy’s name is known nationwide, that he’s supposedly killed twenty men in cold blood, that he’s the fastest draw in the west, and that’s why men come looking for him, that he’s cold hearted and would just as soon kill you as look at you. Duell also told me that stories have a way of building the more that they’re told, so he didn’t think that all of it was true. But even if some of it is true, I feel like I don’t even know Jimmy…that there’s this whole other side to him that he kept from me.”

“Why do you wanna know now? You’re sure that you ain’t gonna have a future with him,” Buck said playing for time.

“Buck this is a man that was my lover...that I trusted my heart and soul to. Before I can let it go, I need to know who he was. He obviously wasn’t who I thought he was. How could I have been so stupid?”

Buck took her hand.

“Who did you think he was?” he asked gently.

“I thought he was just Jimmy…a loner…quiet...not wanting to share his past, but willing to share his present and future. I thought he had a kind and caring heart, was a good man, was mentally strong, could take care of me through anything…now I don’t know.”

“He is that…but he’s other things too. Some things Duell said, but it all ain’t the truth. It’s like Duell said, real things get larger as the tellin’ goes on.”

“And I know none of you like to talk about Jimmy or his past…but can you let me know what’s the truth about what I know?”

“Jimmy ain’t cold hearted round his friends, but I imagine he’s that way round those he’s in a draw against. I’d say he’s very well known around the west. But back east? I don’t know. Men do come lookin’ for him ‘cause he’s got the reputation of bein’ fast. He ain’t a cold blooded killer, that’s a lie. But he has killed a lot of men, mainly those who have called him out, or ones that died whilst we was helpin’ Teaspoon with his marshallin’.”

“Has he ever had any close calls?”

“A couple of times he’s been wounded bad, but his other wounds ain’t been that bad. He’s had a few bullets dug outta him.”

Sarah needed her head, realizing that for now, she didn’t want to know anymore, and knowing Buck wouldn’t tell her much else, blood brother or not. “Thanks.”

“I hope it helps you.”

“I never knew him, Buck.”

“Yeah, you did Sarah. There’s parts of you I don’t know and never will. There’s parts of me that you ain’t gonna know…same with me ‘n Melissa. You knew what was important.”

“I don’t know if I did or not, Buck. I’d say Jimmy’s reputation was a pretty important thing to know about.”

“Maybe…maybe not.”

She just stared out into the distance, briefly wondering where Jimmy was now, then sighed again. It didn’t matter. What mattered was what was in her life right now.


Jimmy tossed off the pouch to Kid, wished him a good ride, then brushed Cisco down and made sure he was well taken care of before he went looking for Teaspoon. He finally found him in his office, doing some paperwork.

“Evenin’ son...have a good ride?” Teaspoon asked as he looked up and took his glasses off.

“Yeah, nuthin’ special. I was wonderin’ somethin’.”

“What’s that?”

“You know that old pile of wanted posters you was gonna throw away? Ya still have them?”

“That’s them on that chair,” Teaspoon pointed, trying to figure out what was really going on here. Jimmy picked up the posters, sat down on the chair, and started to go through them. Of late, he’d been even less talkative, and his appearance tonight surprised him. And wanting to look at old wanted posters? He watched Jimmy look irritated as he finished, obviously not finding what he’d been looking for. As if a lightening bolt had hit him, Teaspoon finally realized what Jimmy had been looking for. He opened his drawer and held out the wanted poster that he’d placed there a couple of weeks ago.

“That what you’re a lookin’ for, son?”

Jimmy gave him a strange look, took the piece of paper, and opened it. And there was Duell McCall’s wanted poster, listing everything from murder to bank robbery…with a reward of $250!”

“So it’s all true!” Jimmy muttered to himself, slowly sinking back down into the chair, removing his hat, and running his hands through his hair.

“He’s been pardoned, Jimmy. I checked it out shortly after he come to town.”

Jimmy gave a slight nod of his head.

“Why were it so important to you?”

Jimmy struggled with himself, wanting to talk to Teaspoon, but not wanting to.

“McCall talked some to me ‘bout his life is all.”

“Did Miss Sarah come into it?”

“A little. Mind if I keep this?” Jimmy asked as he stood up.

“Nope.”

“Night,” he told him as he left the office.

Teaspoon stared after him. So McCall had Jimmy thinking. Maybe that was a good thing.


The next few days went by quickly. Melissa spent as much time as she could with Duell. Buck finally went back to town, explained all to Teaspoon, and then went back to making his runs with the Pony Express. Whenever he could, he was out at the ranch. Sarah and Duell were together every night, and Melissa finally came round to it. And every night, they insisted that she play the piano for them.

Finally, Duell decided that it was time for him to leave. No amount of entreaties from Melissa could change his mind. He tried to make her feel better by telling her that he and Nora and Ethan would be back to take over his partnership in the ranch, but she was still sad to think that he would leave for a time. Plus she was worried about how Sarah would be once he left. They seemed so close. She and Sarah made sure all his clothes were clean, and packed enough food to see him through his trip to California. Dreading that he was leaving early in the morning, Melissa hated to tell him goodnight. She was just happy that Buck would be with her to make his leaving a little easier for her. But who would help Sarah after Duell left?


“Now why do you have that frown on your face?” Buck asked as he pulled her into his arms and started to try to kiss it away. He loved lying in her bed with her.

“I was just wondering who was going to help Sarah get over Duell’s leaving? It’s sure to leave her feeling a little lonely. I mean I have you and all to help…”

“I’ll give her the medicine bag after he leaves. That will help her, plus she’s tough. She’ll git through it okay.”

“But what if that isn’t enough?”

“I’ll be there for her too. You know that!” He assured her. “Now why ain’t you sleepin’ yet?”

She rolled over so she could face him.

“I just ain’t tired yet. Got any ideas?” she asked him.

“A couple!” He told her as he began to kiss her.


“I guess there ain’t too much left to say, is there?” Duell asked her, knowing that soon he’d have to get up to leave this haven behind.

“Nope,” Sarah told him as she laid in his arms. “Except there is one thing I’d like to tell you, but I don’t want it to change your mind about leaving.”

“Alright…it won’t,” he promised.

Sarah looked up at him. “I want to thank you for what you’ve done for me since you’ve been here, for working on the ranch. You’ve been such a big help. And I’ll be looking forward to you coming back here with your family. Plus I wanted you to know that I love you, Duell. I think that will always be there for you, and I’m glad that you’ve come into my life.”

“Oh Sarah….” he said, feeling overcome with emotion as he pulled her even closer in a hug. “I know that I’m always gonna love you, no matter that I’m gonna marry Nora. I’m thankin’ you for lettin’ me be a part of your life for a time. I wish that you was lettin’ me stay, but I know why you cain’t. I’ll be back after the winter snow has melted some.”

“Good! Melissa, Buck and I will be happy to welcome the McCall family!”

Duell had never felt this sad before. There was a part of him that was saying he should have tried harder to talk Sarah into being with him. The other part was telling him that he was doing the right thing by getting back with Nora…that he knew she would be waiting for him.

“That means a lot to me Sarah,” he told her as he began to kiss her. He needed to love her one more time before he left her. “And don’t forget the promise you made to me...about if’n you come into the family way.”

“I won’t, Duell...now please love me before you go.”

His mouth moved back to hers as hers caught it and held it. Then his mouth moved to her breasts and he worshiped them for a time before he continued down her body, memorizing every part of her. He didn’t want to ever forget any of this. Neither did Sarah, as she was doing her own memorizing. When he plunged deeply into her, she wrapped herself so tightly around him, no one would have been able to pry them loose. They rocked together, knowing this would be their last time together. Sarah cried during her climax, as Duell told her repeatedly how much he loved her. Then they just held each other. Finally, Sarah pulled away, poured some water in a bowl, and with a cloth, gently bathed him, then handed him his clothes. Duell had never been treated so tenderly before. It went deep inside his soul. She then cleaned herself up and dressed while Duell watched her. Then he got up and went over to his saddlebags. He opened one and took out the gift that he’d bought for her. As she brushed her hair, he came up behind her.

“I’ve got somethin’ for you, lady. Lift your hair up for me,” he asked. She caught his eyes in the mirror, and held them as she did as he asked. He reached around her, and fastened the necklace around her neck.

“Oh Duell,” she said as she fingered it. It was so delicate. “It’s beautiful! I love it! Thank you so much!” she told him as she turned, hugged him hard, and kissed him again.

She gave him a watery smile. “I’m gonna stay inside and let Melissa walk you out. I don’t think I can watch you ride away…”

“That’s alright. If I had you watchin’, I don’t think I could ride away!”

He gave her another hard hug, another kiss, picked up his saddlebags, and headed for Melissa’s door. She heard him knock on it and call to her, then she heard the front door open and close. Sarah hurried into the kitchen and began to busy herself. She couldn't think right now, didn't want to think right now. But she could feel the tears running down her cheeks as she started the coffee. Sarah sensed Buck’s presence, rather than heard him.

Buck could feel her pain, so he went to her and quickly wrapped his arms around her from behind. She turned in his arms and began to sob into his shoulder, while he held her and told her it would all be okay in time. He smoothed her hair and didn’t let her loose until she finally stopped and pulled away from him. There was a slight smile on her face.

“I’m sorry. I got your shirt all wet.”

He chuckled. “A small price to pay to make sure you’re okay.”

“I will be. I’m just gonna work hard all day and not think about it. What are you doing today?”

“I promised Teaspoon that I would go with Jimmy to look at some horses over in Blue Creek. I might not be back until tomorrow.”

“Did you tell Melissa?”

“Yeah.”

“Want some coffee before you go?”

“Nope. I’ll git some at the station. If you’re alright, I’ll go outside and say goodbye to Melissa.”

“I’m fine. I love you. Go.”

He could tell that she wasn’t lying to him.

“I love you too Sarah,” he told her as he kissed her cheek and went out to comfort Melissa if that’s what she needed.

She sighed, and then laughed at herself. She was definitely doing too much of that lately. She was on her own now, and that’s how she’d probably live out her life. It was best just to get on with it!


Jimmy seemed to be totally involved with his own thought, and made no attempt to talk to Buck. Buck, being used to Jimmy’s way, wasn’t used to him being totally uncommunicative. He’d usually jaw about something, as long as it didn’t have anything to do with him. So why was he being like this?

“How many horses did Teaspoon tell us to look for?” Buck asked him, but he didn’t get an answer. He didn’t think that Jimmy had heard him. He tried again, asking him the same question. Jimmy came out of his trance.

“Three.”

Did this have anything at all to do with Sarah? He decided to try another tact.

“Melissa shore was sad this mornin’,” he commented, hoping that he still had Jimmy’s attention.

“Why?” Jimmy made himself ask.

“Her brother left this mornin’, and she ain’t shore when he’ll be back.”

“McCall’s gone?”

Buck noticed that suddenly Jimmy perked up.

“Yeah.”

“And Melissa ain’t shore when he’ll be back?”

Buck watched him closely.

“Nope. I guess he’s goin’ home to git married ‘n all.”

A small, quick smile went across Jimmy’s face. He would have missed it if he hadn’t been watching him so closely. What was going on there? Was Jimmy planning on coming back to Sarah? How could he find out?

“You shore ‘bout that?”

“That’s what he told us.”

Jimmy couldn’t believe how happy he felt. McCall was gone…to marry the mother of his son…and Sarah was still here…now unattached. He briefly thought of the kisses he’d seen her and McCall share, then looked sharply at Buck. He’d bet a hundred dollars that Buck would know what their relationship had been. He opened his mouth to ask, knowing that Buck would want to know why he wanted to know, but then he closed his mouth again. Was that something he really wanted to know?

“Did you know that he’d run from the law for a time?”

“Yeah, Melissa told me. There weren’t nuthin’ to it. He was innocent of everythin’.”

“That’s what Teaspoon told me,” Jimmy nodded. “What did you think a him?”

“He’s a good man, Jimmy. Sarah ‘n me liked him a lot. I think you woulda too. He kinda reminded me a lot of you. What you might be like in a few years.”

Jimmy digested that. No, he didn’t want to know what McCall and Sarah had been to each other. All that mattered was that he was gone. Now he just hat to make up his mind what he was gonna do about Sarah.

Buck was amused that suddenly Jimmy became chatty…for Jimmy. Jimmy would never be a big talker. Yes, this had something to do with Sarah.


“You doing alright with Duell gone and all?” Melissa asked Sarah as she came up next to her. Sarah was gently working Flame on a long rope. Her brother had been gone for a couple of days now.

“I still feel a little sad. When I’m feeling sorry for myself, I ask myself if I did the right thing sending him back to Nora, but when I stop feeling sorry for myself, I know that it’s right that he went back to her.”

Melissa watched Flame trot around the corral at the end of the line. She and Sarah hadn’t really spoken of her relationship with Duell. Maybe she was finally ready to.

“He told me how much he loved you, Sarah. I think it was hard for him to leave you. He wanted to make sure that I looked out for you. But I think he agreed with you that he had to go back to Nora. That he owed her that. He really wants to raise Ethan.”

“I know. So how are you with it all? We still friends even though your brother was my lover for awhile?”

“We’ll always be best friends, no matter what, Sarah. You know that. I admit that I was shocked when Duell told me what was going on, but you two were special together.”

Sarah smiled and nodded her head. “The funny thing is, if Buck hadn’t taken you away, it wouldn’t have happened.”

“Oh right! Blame it on me!” she laughed. Sarah laughed with her. “So why did you offer him a partnership in the ranch?”

“It seemed right, I guess. I have this dream of having a family compound here. I knew how much you would love to have him here, plus watching him here these past weeks, I know he had a feel for the place and the horses. It will be a good match, and we can always use a male around here. When you and Buck get married, I’ll give you your choice of where you want to build your house. Just like I’ll give a choice to Duell and Nora. I mean you are going to marry Buck, aren’t you?”

“I hope so, Sarah, but he hasn’t asked yet.”

“Don’t worry. He will. He loves you so much.”

“At least he’s told me that!” Melissa told her happily. “I know that he’s the man I’m supposed to spend my life with, so he’d better ask me soon.”

“You’re right! He’d better!” Sarah agreed.

“So why you wearing that pistol all the time now? Did something happen while I was gone?”

“Not really. Duell just brought up a point that made sense. He was concerned that you and I are out here alone. We keep saying that we can take care of ourselves, and this will just insure that we can. He made me promise that I would always wear it if I was outside and keep it by the door when I’m inside. I told him I would ask you to do the same thing. My father had another pistol, and it’s in his old room. I’d like you to wear it, especially since you’re with Buck again. You know these townsfolk. Can you shoot?”

Melissa also saw the wisdom in this.

“Not that well, but I’ll have Buck work with me. You’re right. It does make sense.”

“Why don’t you go in and get it while we’re thinking about it.”


Buck arrived at the waterfalls. It was a beautiful morning, so fresh and alive. He had decided that it was time to give Sarah her medicine bag. He summoned her first, then turned his thoughts to the Great Spirit. He thanked him for all the bounties he had been given. Almost as an afterthought, he threw a thanks to Melissa’s grandmother for all she done for him. He promised her he would soon ask her granddaughter for her hand in marriage. Hearing hoof beats he quickly stood from his kneeling position and waited for Sarah’s arrival. It didn’t take long. She looked wide awake, dressed in a duster against the morning chill.

“Mornin’!” she told him as she dismounted, came over to him, and kissed his cheek. “Guess it’s too cold for a swim, huh?”

“You make me jump in that water, you die!” he threatened as he shook his finger at her.

“Alright…I won’t,” she smiled sweetly. “What’s up? I left poor Melissa making breakfast. Why didn’t you come last night when you got back from your run?”

“It was too late, and I didn’t want my head shot off as I snuck in!” he teased her. “I’ll be there tonight, but during the day I promised Teaspoon I’d run over to Sulfur Creek to deliver some things for him.”

“Great! Have time for breakfast? I know a certain lady who’d love to see you.”

“Maybe you could talk me into it.”

Sarah smiled up into his soft brown eyes. He looked so much happier now that he and Melissa were back together.

“Then I’ll try to do that. Now, why did you need to see me away from the ranch?”

“For something special. Kneel down, facing me,” he instructed.

Buck knelt on the ground, leaning back on his legs. He took his hat off. Sarah didn’t question, but followed him. He took the medicine pouch out of his pocket and held it up to her.

“I made this for you while I was at the village. I wanted it to be extra special for you. Inside it is some white sage, which is sacred to our people, and a small good luck talisman of mine that I want you to have. The rest of the contents are up to you. The spirits will let you know what you should put in to protect you and guide you.”

She looked at the intricate beadwork on the small bag. “Buck! It’s beautiful! I’m so honored that you would do this for me. I’ll always wear it.”

He lifted it and placed it over her head. Once it lay against her chest, she rested her hand against it and closed her eyes. “I can feel its power already. Thank you, my brother!” She leaned over and hugged him tightly, pulled slightly away and kissed him. “My heart is full with everything that I feel for you.”

“And mine for you,” he replied as he smiled into her eyes. “And because of that, I have to tell you something, but I don’t want you to get too much hope up.”

“What’s that?” she asked as she leaned back on her legs.

“Jimmy was awfully happy that Duell was gone. And he was awful glad that you were still here and that Duell was going off to marry Nora.”

“Oh?” she smiled as she squeezed his hand. “Alright,” she said seeing his look. “I won’t get my hopes up a lot, but can I a little?”

“Alright…a little,” he conceded. “Have you come to any conclusions about your new feelin’s about him?”

“Some...I’m still a little angry about it though. So…can I convince you to come to breakfast?” she asked Buck as he stood up and held his hand down to her. She took it and he pulled her up, back into his embrace.

Unbeknownst to the two, they were being watched. An evil grin crossed Harvey Smith’s face as he saw the two kiss and embrace. He’d known that Sarah Brooks was an Indian lover since she’d defended that savage in church. Now he had the proof! And now he wanted some of it for himself. He took his gun out and waited for the right moment.

Sarah got up on her horse. “Well? I’m waiting!” she told him. There was no answer. That was strange. She turned to look at Buck and gasped at what she saw. There was Harvey Smith with his gun pushed into Buck’s back. Buck’s hands were up in the air, and he was giving her a warning look. She knew he was trying to tell her to ride out of here as fast as she could, but she couldn’t leave him here. Harvey would kill him.

“Well hey there, little lady! I was wonderin’ when I’d meet you again! You try to carry yourself all proper like...never lettin’ on that you was an injun lover too. Did you spread your legs for his whole village too so all the braves could get into you?”

“So what if I did?” she taunted him. “I doubt whether you’re half the man that they are!”

He surprised her at what he did next. He grabbed a handful of Buck’s hair and pulled him into a kneeling position on the ground. Buck gasped at the sudden pain. Harvey’s gun was at Buck’s head, which he had pulled back. Buck was trying to keep a clear head. Why wasn’t Sarah riding fast out of here? She was on Thunder Heart. Harvey wouldn’t have a chance of stopping her. Then maybe he’d have a chance of dealing with this vermin!

“You’ll find out what kinda man I is! Now I want you to git off that horse, take this savage’s gun, and throw it in the pond there. And you’d best do it slow and easy like,” he told her as he wound Buck’s beautiful hair tighter around his hand. Buck did his best not to cry out as Harvey pulled his head further back.

Sarah knew that she’d have to be fast to save Buck. If she went anywhere with Harvey, he would kill Buck as they left, then kill her later. She kicked Thunder Heart, who jumped, startled into Buck’s horse who slammed into Harvey and Buck. She quickly scooted from her stallion to Buck’s drawing her gun as she did that. Taking aim and praying that she’d actually hit him and not Buck, she started to fire her pistol at him. As the first bullet hit him, he looked startled. The second, he finally realized what was happening. The third, he grabbed his stomach. The fourth, he moaned and rolled trying to get away from her. She slid from Buck’s horse to follow him. The fifth, she made sure she blew away his manhood and the sixth, found its way into his brain. He was dead. Just as suddenly, it was over, and she stood there breathing heavily.

Buck had rolled away as soon as his horse had knocked into them so he’d avoid being trampled by the horses’ feet. And then he heard gunfire. By the time he righted himself and reached for his weapon, it was over and Sarah was standing over Harvey’s body. He watched, amazed, as she calmly opened her pistol, got rid of the six spent shells, and replaced them with six more. She reholstered her gun, then quickly came over to him.

“Are you alright?” she asked as she fell on her knees next to him.

He just nodded his head. “How’d ya do that?” he asked pointing at Harvey.

“I don’t know, but he was a skunk who deserved to die. He would have killed you, and I never would have been able to live with myself if that had happened. Are you alright?”

“Yeah. You? Sarah! Why didn’t you ride outta here? You could have. Maybe I could have taken care of this.”

“I knew I could, and I did. I’m fine...I think. My ankle hurts a little where I twisted it when I slid off your horse...”

Buck sat down on the ground.

“What you did Sarah, no one could have done it better ‘n that! Thank you. I owe you my life!”

Sarah sat next to him and smiled. “Maybe you already gave it to me!” She held the medicine pouch in her hand. “Strong medicine is in here! Now why don’t you ride and get Teaspoon? I’ll stay with the body in case anyone else shows up. The last thing I want is for anyone to catch you with a dead body.”

“You shore you’ll be alright with it?”

“I think he’s pretty dead, Buck,” she stated dryly. “Now go and let’s get this over with.”

Buck vaulted for his horse and galloped back towards town. He skidded to a stop at Teaspoon’s office and ran in. Jimmy was there talking to Teaspoon. That was good. They might need him.

“Son! Why you in an all fired hurry?” Teaspoon jumped up, alarmed.

“What’s wrong?” Jimmy asked at the same time.

“Sarah jist killed Harvey Smith at the waterfall. She sent me to git you, Teaspoon.”

“I’m comin’ too!” Jimmy stated. “Sarah killed him? What happened?”

“Let’s talk once we git there!” Teaspoon stated as all three galloped towards the waterfalls.

Jimmy noticed that Sarah had her gun drawn as they all rode up. Seeing who it was, she holstered it. When had she started to wear a gun, he wondered? He stopped Cisco and walked over to Harvey’s body. He counted six wounds…four of them would have been mortal ones. And one of them was in his crotch! Had that been an accident? He heard Teaspoon say,

“I think someone best tell me what happened here,” Teaspoon took a look at the body. “Six shots?” he asked with a raised eyebrow to Miss Sarah.

“I came out here to meet Buck. We do that sometimes when one of us needs to talk to the other. Well, this time he’d made me this medicine bag and wanted to give it to me. I was trying to talk him into coming back for breakfast at the ranch, and he didn’t answer me. I looked and Harvey had a gun on him. He accused me of loose morals and let me know what he was going to do with me. I knew he’d kill Buck, then me later after he’d had his way with me. He didn’t know I had a gun, so I bumped Buck’s horse with Thunder Heart, which banged into Harvey and Buck. I slid over onto Buck’s horse, drew my gun, and shot him full of holes, which is what he deserved for what he was going to do to Buck and me. I’d not sorry that I did it, and I’d do it again, Teaspoon.”

Jimmy was in awe with what he had heard! First of all to do the impossible of sliding onto Buck’s horse from her own as they were moving, but then to hit Harvey all six times! And she was acting as if it wasn’t affecting her that she’d killed someone. If anything, she was still angry because the man might have hurt Buck.

“I’d say this was self defense then,” Teaspoon declared. “Harvey don’t have no friends round these parts. Let’s git his body back to town. You alright, Miss Sarah? You ever killed a man a fore?”

She couldn’t read the look that was on Jimmy’s face. “No, I’ve never killed a man before, and yes I’m alright. I can deal with it. But like I said, I’d do it again under the same circumstances.”

“None of us is faultin’ you, Sarah,” Jimmy finally said.

“Buck, why don’t you go back with Sarah to the ranch and make sure that she’s alright. Jimmy, I need some help here. Let’s find his horse and throw him over it.”

“Teaspoon, I don’t want Buck’s name brought into this at all. Please jist say that I was at the waterfalls, and he attacked me, and I was just defending myself.”

“Sarah, I don’t think that’s right!” Buck stated, looking at Teaspoon for help.

“If these townspeople get wind that you were here, all sorts of questions will come up. They’ll wonder why you were with me at the waterfalls. They won’t understand. And they’ll wonder what you’re doing with both me and Melissa. Think of her.”

Almost against his will, his admiration for Sarah went through the sky.

“She’s right, Buck. I think we best do it her way. Teaspoon, what do ya think?”

“I think she’s right too. I don’t want you anywheres around this Buck. Take her back to the ranch. Come on, Jimmy. Let’s get to work.”

“Thank you, Teaspoon,” Sarah told him as she kissed the older man’s cheek. He blushed slightly. She looked over at Jimmy, and he smiled slightly at her. That surprised her. She just sort of nodded at him before she climbed up on Thunder Heart. Buck mounted, and they headed for the ranch.

“Are you believin’ she did that, Teaspoon?” Jimmy asked, still flabbergasted by it all.

“Miss Sarah can obviously handle herself. I don’t think I gots to worry no more ‘bout here bein’ on that ranch all alone.”

“I don’t think so neither!” Jimmy sort of laughed. “Let’s git Harvey back to town.”


Buck and Sarah rode in silence for a time, lost in their own thoughts.

“How’s your head?” she finally asked.

“A little sore,” he admitted. “It’ll be okay in a day or so.”

“You know, that’s just a little too much excitement before breakfast!” she admitted. “You are staying, aren’t you?”

“I think so! Someone’s got to keep an eye on you. You’re dangerous, warrior woman! That’s what I’m gonna call you from now on! You are, you know.”

“I know, and it feels good!” she smiled at him.

Buck just smiled to himself knowing this warrior woman had made quite an impression on Jimmy Hickok. She’d given Jimmy things to think about, but he wasn’t going to say anything to her to get her hopes up anymore.


CONTINUED……..


COPYRIGHT – M BOLTON & R WOOTEN - 2004

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