Their_Fathers_Dream_Part

                                                       THEIR FATHER’S DREAM

                                                             PART 4

                                      MARY BOLTON & ROBBIE WOOTEN

“Well?” Sarah asked as the two men came in and hung up their coats.

“No sign of him…sorry,” Buck told her. “Do you know if the stallion is broke?”

“No, I don’t. Guess we’re gonna find out. Thanks for looking though. I know its cold out there. Coffee?”

“Yes!” Jimmy stated as he sat at the table. Melissa started to dish out the food, while Sarah poured the hot brew. Jimmy found Sarah looking warmly at him, and his body started to feel all tingly again…all the feelings her touch had given him went through him. He wanted those feelings again. How could she make him feel all those things? Jimmy dragged his eyes away from her. He didn’t need to be dwelling on those things.

Melissa felt all nervous around Buck and Jimmy, remembering how Jimmy had seen her. Buck gave her a very loving smile, and she knew what Sarah had said was true. That he really did care for her.

They ate quickly and cleaned up the cabin, gathered all their belongings, made sure the fire was out, and left their haven of safety. Jimmy lagged behind, catching up with Melissa as they walked to the barn.

“Wait up a minute, Melissa,” Jimmy told her. She stopped and looked up at him.

“What?”

“Earlier...when I walked in on you ‘n Buck…I’m really sorry bout that. I jist wanted you to know I ain’t gonna say anythin’ to nobody bout it.”

“Thanks Jimmy. I appreciate that,” she stated, still feeling a bit embarrassed about it.

“And…um…I don’t think no less a you neither.”

“Thanks for letting me know that, Jimmy.”

Sarah stood in front of her stallion’s stall. “You need to have a name. Any suggestions Buck?”

Buck looked the haughty stallion carefully over.

“He ain’t gonna let you ride him lessen he takes a cotton to you,” he proclaimed.

“Yeah, I think I already knew that. What shall we call him?” she asked as she took her horse’s bridle and unlatched the stall door.

Buck leaned on the railing, hoping she would be careful. Seeing that she was, he relaxed a bit.

“How bout Thunder Heart?” he suggested, feeling it would be appropriate. “And we could always tell Jimmy that we tried to git a saddle on him, and he ain’t broke.”

Sarah laughed. “That’s devious.”

“I know.”

“And not fair to Jimmy. I like the name for him,” she told Buck. “Come on, Thunder Heart. Let’s get you saddled up.”

He moved his head away from her as she tried to get the bridle on him.

“Now cut that out! I’m gonna ride you,” she told him sternly. Buck saw that the stallion was listening to her.

“Givin’ you problems?” Jimmy asked as he and Melissa came in.

“Nope,” Sarah told him as she slipped her arm around his neck to hold his head down and quickly put the bridle on him. Jimmy watched in admiration as she placed the saddle on his back, and quickly tightened it. “I’d say he was broke. Let’s go.”

He was sidestepping as she led him out of the stall.

“But not for long from the looks of it,” Melissa told her. “Maybe you shouldn’t ride him.”

“He was pretty calm yesterday. I think he’ll be okay.”

“But if he spooks and throws you and takes off, we’ll be out of luck. I doubt that he’s been trained to stop if’n his rider falls off.” Buck told her seriously.

“You don’t have anything to say?” Sarah turned to Jimmy.

He was struggling with himself. He didn’t want to interfere, and he didn’t think it would be wise for her to ride with him all the way to her ranch, but he wanted her in his arms for the rest of the way! Tarnation!

“I ain’t gonna interfere. If Sarah thinks she can ride the stallion, let her ride the stallion.”

“This is what was always getting you in trouble with Kid!” To the ladies he said, “Before Kid married Lou, Jimmy kept insisting that we let Lou do whatever she thought she could do. Kid would end up gettin’ upset and punchin’ Jimmy cause he thought Jimmy was trying to take Lou away from him.”

“And that warn’t it at all. Lou didn’t like bein’ treated special jist cause she was a girl. Ain’t nuthin’ wrong with lettin’ her do what she wanted to do.”

Sarah was torn. She knew that Buck and Melissa did not want her to ride this stallion. She also knew that Jimmy didn’t want her riding with him. He was still having problems with this morning. And she was sure that Melissa didn’t want her riding with Buck.

“We’re at an impasse here,” Melissa was saying to no one in particular.

Sarah looked at Jimmy. She thought that he was hoping that she would understand why he didn’t want her to ride with him. She did understand... that was the hell of it!

“I have two solutions here, and we’ll put them up for the vote. The first is that Melissa and Buck double up, and I ride Melissa’s horse. The second is that Jimmy ride the stallion, and I ride Cisco. Which is it to be?”

Before she could even take a breath, Buck said, “Melissa rides with me. Let’s go!”

Sarah laughed and shook her head as she took the reins of Thunder Heart in her hand. She mounted up on Melissa’s horse, while Buck and Melissa mounted up on his. Jimmy appeared to have something bothering him, but Sarah knew that he would let her in on it if he chose to do so. He got on his horse, and they were off. Luckily the sky was very blue, and the snow was beginning to melt.

“I like Sarah’s ideas,” Buck told Melissa as he kissed her neck.

“I hate to admit it, but I do too,” she told him as she cuddled in a little closer to him.

Sarah just looked at the passing scenery, keeping one eye on the stallion. She could tell that Melissa was pleased to be riding with Buck, so that made her happy. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jimmy drop back next to her. She turned to look at him with a question in her eyes.

“He doin’ okay?”

“Not a problem, Jimmy.”

He had been fighting with himself…first tellin’ himself that it didn’t matter if she was upset with him. That it was best that way. Then he would have the urge to explain himself to her, which upset him further because he’d never felt the urge to ever explain himself to anyone. But Sarah felt distant to him, and they had this new friend’s thing going, and he still wasn’t sure how you were supposed to act with a woman friend. The way he acted with Lou wouldn’t work at all with Sarah! Did he want to push her away like he was trying to do now? Or did he honestly want to be friends with her?

Sarah could sense his unease, but as hard as it was for her, she kept quiet.

“Sarah?”

“Hmm?”

“I…It’s not that…I wanted…” he tried again, then swore in frustration. How could it be so hard to say something so simple?

“Yes, Jimmy?” she encouraged.

“I hope you don’t think that I didn’t want you to ride back to Rock Creek with me…”

“Yeah..that’s sorta what I thought, Jimmy,” she told him dryly.

“It warn’t meant that way,” he tried to assure her. “If you thought you could ride the stallion, I really wanted you to ride him.”

“Yeah, I knew that,” she smiled at him.

“And since you decided not to…after this mornin’ I didn’t think it would be a good idea,” he finished.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought you were thinking,” she told him with another smile. “It’s alright, Jimmy. I really do understand. I guess if you had been someone like Jake Colter, I would have insisted you let me ride with you. As it is, since we’re friends and all, I guess its best that it turned out this way!” Sarah stated as the devil came into her. She could tell that Jimmy was not happy at the mention of Jake’s name.

“Do you expect Colter back soon?” he asked her tightly.

“I have a feeling that one never knows when Jake will show up!” she told him, wondering why Jake and Jimmy didn’t get along. And Jimmy was not the person to ask about it.

“Hey Sarah…come here,” Buck called over his shoulder.

“Take Thunder Heart for me?”

“Thunder Heart?”

“My stallion…Buck named him,” she explained as she put the reins into his hand and went up to Buck and Melissa.

Jimmy looked at Thunder Heart. It did seem appropriate.

“Tell ya what…if Jake Colter comes anywhere near you, you jist go ahead and kick the livin’ daylights outta him. There will be a couple of cubes of sugar in it for ya!” he told the horse. “Although what she sees in him, I don’t know. Course I don’t know why she wants to be friends with me neither!”

They arrived at the ranch late and found her horse there waiting for her. Sarah just shook her head as Buck and Jimmy helped her and Melissa get all the horses rubbed down and settled. When they were done, Sarah asked,

“Anyone for supper?”

“As much as I’d like to, we better go check in with Teaspoon or he’ll start to worry bout us.” Buck told her as he put an arm around Melissa and started to walk out to where his horse was tied.

Sarah looked at Jimmy.

“Maybe next time?” She told him, as they too began to walk out of the barn.
“I really do appreciate all of your help Jimmy. It made it easier having you and Buck along.”

“You know that we’ll always do what we can to help you ladies out,” was his reply as they arrived at Cisco, who was waiting patiently.

“I know. I hope Rachel can find something for you to eat.”

“She usually does,” he told her as he put his foot into his stirrup.

“Hold on a minute, Jimmy,” she told him as she tugged on his jacket. He removed his foot from the stirrup and turned to her quizzically.

Now what was she supposed to say to him? She hadn’t wanted him to leave. So who said she needed to say anything? Sarah stood on her tiptoes and kissed his sensual mouth…then backed away from him. “That’s all,” she told him with an unsure smile.

Jimmy hadn’t wanted to leave her without kissing her. It had been torture to be so close to her all day and not get to touch her since this morning, when they had been closer than they’d ever been. He hoped, once again, that she would understand, as he reached for her and pulled her against him. Her mouth was raised up to him, and he lowered his to claim it. When he pulled away from her, she had a dreamy look that made him want to just keep on kissing her. But he backed away, knowing that he had taken more than he should have.

“I’ll try and git by and see you practicin’ with the children’s choir,” Buck told Melissa as they arrived at his horse.

“Great! I’ll be looking for you. Thanks for helping me and Sarah out with the stallion.”

“It warn’t nuthin’,” he told her as he wrapped his arms around her. “Maybe you’n me can talk some when I come by your practice.”

“I’d like that,” she said into his chest.

“Then I’ll be seein’ ya,” he said as he started to kiss her. His hands wanted to start roaming, but he didn’t think he would be able to get away with that tonight, especially not with Jimmy standing somewhere around them. He didn’t want to leave her…didn’t want to let her go, but in the background he could hear Jimmy getting on his horse. Reluctantly, he pulled away from her. He caressed her cheek, kissed her once again, then got on his horse.

“Thanks a lot for your help, Buck,” Sarah called to him.

“You’re welcome. I’ll be seein’ ya!”

“I hope so,” she told him as she squeezed his arm.

“I am bone tired!” Melissa declared.

“Me too...and I need a bath!”

“So do I. You go first, and I’ll fix us something to eat.”

For the next few days, Sarah and Melissa were very busy. They managed to get to church, but quickly returned to the ranch to get things caught up there. By Monday, Melissa was on her regular schedule with choir rehearsals. By Wednesday, Sarah was feeling restless, and decided to go for a ride to clear the cobwebs out of her head. She saddled up Mariah, and together they headed across her land.

Sarah suddenly heard shots and hurried towards them in case she could help out whomever it was. Getting closer she skidded Mariah to a stop and tied him securely to a tree limb. Drawing her revolver she crept closer to the scene of the shooting. Suddenly there was silence. With her heart beating in her throat, she made her way through some trees until she came to the edge of a clearing. She was very surprised to see Jimmy reloading his Colts. Looking around she didn’t see anyone else. What was going on? He re-holstered his guns, and then drew faster than she had remembered him drawing the night he had been called out. He shot at a narrow tree six times, hitting it every time. He threw that gun down, drew again, and repeated what he had just done. Then there was silence again. Sarah made the mistake of stepping on a dry tree branch, which popped loudly. Jimmy whirled around, pointing his revolver at her heart.

“God Sarah! What ya doin’ sneakin’ up on me like that? I coulda shot you!” he told her sharply, shaken to the core.

“No, you were out of bullets. I counted them!” she replied as cheekily as possibly could considering the circumstances. She was feeling a bit shaky herself. She re-holstered her gun. “And I wasn’t sneaking up on you. I was out riding and heard the shots and came to help if I could.”

“Oh,” he stated as he reloaded his guns and put them into his holsters.

“Why do you wear those grips forward?” she asked curiously.

“Cause I can git them out faster that way.”

“Which leads us to the question, why do you need to get them out so fast? Why are you out here practicing your draw and your aim? I’ve never seen anyone faster than you, Jimmy. What’s this all about?”

He shuffled a foot against the ground, as he looked down at it.

“I need to keep in practice, Sarah. Don’t ask me nuthin’ else about it. I don’t want to talk none about it.”

She moved over closer to him.

“Jimmy…friends share things about themselves. Have you noticed that you aren’t too good about that?” she chuckled.

He shrugged his shoulders, trying to look apologetic.

“Well, I’ll leave you to it then since I haven’t caught you in a talking mood. Drop by the ranch sometime.”

“I will.”

“We still on for the dance Saturday?” she asked turning back to him. “Or should I let you out of it?”

“You got a better offer?” he inquired, holding his breath, really wanting to take her.

“Nope…not yet,” she told him.

She finally saw a genuine smile come from him.

“I’m still takin’ you to the dance.”

“Great! Maybe one day you can give me some pointers on shooting?”

He didn’t want her to leave. In truth he had been missing her since he hadn’t seen her for a few days. The memory of the cabin was still strongly with him.

“How bout right now? I’m finished practicin’. Let me see what you can do.”

Sarah studied him. He still seemed to be in a strange mood…an almost dangerous mood. He seemed sort of jumpy and his eyes kept darting around. She knew that he truly meant his offer of help. Sarah trusted him implicitly, but she had a feeling that if she stayed here with him, some things might happen that they would both regret.

“I’d really like that, but I have to get back to the ranch. You keep practicing, alright?” Sarah asked as she began to back away from him.

The most overwhelming need came over Jimmy to be with this woman.

“Don’t go Sarah!” he asked as he held his hand out to her.

The feelings between them were so intense, that she felt herself moving towards him through his own force of will. Sarah shook her head and stopped and said the hardest words to him she’d ever had to say.

“You know that I’d better go, Jimmy.”

He knew that she wasn’t rejecting him, that what she was saying to him was the truth. If she stayed, he would make her love him, and that wouldn’t be right. He would never see her again.

“Yeah, you’d better.”

“I’ll see you at the Harvest Celebration, alright?”

He just nodded his head as she turned and left him. Once she got to Mariah, she just leaned against him for a moment to collect herself. Then she quickly mounted and took off as if the devil was chasing after her.

When Jimmy heard the thunder of horse’s hoofs, he sank down to the ground and buried his head in his hands. What had come over him? What had that all been about? Thank God she’d had the sense enough to leave! But right now, he felt so alone, more alone than he'd ever felt before.

Buck could hear the organ music coming from the church, and the sounds of children’s voices singing. He smiled as he took off his hat and snuck into the back of the church. He sat in the last pew, and found Melissa. He lost all track of time as she would play parts of a hymn, show them how it was snug, and then listened to them sing it. She was so patient with them…often giving them hugs if they did well. The thought hit him that she would make a wonderful mother one-day. Would it be to his children? That thought brought another smile. Her voice intruded into his thoughts.

“Okay children…that’s it for today. Now I want you all back here tomorrow. We still have more work to do for the Harvest Celebration. We want to make your moms and dads proud of you.”

While she was hugging them, he finally got up and went over to her. Melissa saw him, and gave him the most welcoming smile.

“Children…do you know Buck Cross? He’s a Pony Express Rider!” she introduced him.

They all crowded around him saying their hellos. He felt a tug on his pants leg. He looked down into a set if incredible blue eyes of a little girl.

“Are you teacher’s boyfriend?” she asked with a giggle.

Buck smiled down at her.

“I hope so,” he replied as he looked at Melissa.

“Teachers got a boyfriend…teachers got a boyfriend!” they started to chant as Melissa shooed them out of the church.

“I’m sorry,” she turned back to Buck.

“Hey, they’re kids!” he laughed. “Ready to go for a ride with me?”

“Sure,” she readily agreed. She put her music into her saddlebag and followed Buck out of town. Once out of town, they saw a rider in the distance, going like a bat out of hell. Buck slowed his horse and squinted to see if he could tell who it was.

“Looks like Sarah on Mariah…wonder why she’s in an all fired hurry?”

“Probably just letting Mariah have his head. He likes to go full out sometimes…especially now that he has competition with Thunder Heart around.”

“You’re probably right. If she needed help she’d probably be ridin’ toward town.”

“I’d say so. As it is, she’s heading for the ranch.”

So Buck let that thought go, and he stopped his horse at one of his favorite places.

“Want to walk a bit?” he asked, holding his hand out.

“Sure,” she said as she took his hand. They started to walk up a hill. At the top, she took a deep breath and looked around her. “This country is so beautiful!”

“It is, isn’t it?” he agreed. “You know you was so good with those kids. You have a lot of patience. One day you’ll be a good mother.”

“You really think so?” she asked, pleased he would think that.

“Yeah, I do,” he said as he sat down and patted the ground next to him. She took a seat. “I’ve been wantin’ to talk to you, Melissa, especially after what happened at the cabin while we was on the trail.”

“What’d you want to talk about?” she asked softly.

“You ‘n me…Melissa. I hope you know that I care about you, that I don’t think you do that with every fella…”

“You’re right, I don’t. And I think that I knew you cared about me, Buck. But it’s always nice to hear it.”

“And maybe one day…down the road…you ‘n me…well…maybe we can have a future together some day.”

“I think I might like that…some day,” she told him, touched by his shyness in discussing the subject. She knew that with these words, he was telling her that his intentions towards her were entirely honorable. A lady definitely liked to hear that.

He smiled at her as he hugged her closely to him, knowing that Cody or any other man would be a thing of the past.

“So you don’t have no one waitin’ for you back east or anythin’?”

“No. I pretty much left everyone behind when I came here. I don’t plan on going back there.”

“Good!” he stated, glad that all of this had finally been discussed.

Melissa laid her head on his shoulder and just savored the feel of being next to this man. Maybe Grandmother Running Doe had been right about her prediction. Perhaps this man really was going to be her future.

Teaspoon stood in the doorway of his office as he took in the hustle and bustle as the townsfolk prepared for the Harvest Celebration the next day. Things looked fairly peaceable. His eyes caught Hickok, leaning against a post, watching the preparations with a frown on his face. He’d been acting strange lately. Teaspoon crossed the street and went over to stand next to him.

“Lots of activity.”

“Yup.”

“You gonna come tomorrow?”

“Yup.”

“By yourself?”

“Nope.”

Teaspoon had figured out right away that Jimmy wasn’t about to talk about what was on his mind. His one word answers were definite indications of that.

“Somethin’ botherin’ you son?”

He heard him take a heavy breath as he stood straight up.

“Nope.”

“You shouldn’t talk so much, Hickok! I cain’t git a word in edgewise!” Teaspoon told him as he turned to face him.

Jimmy wanted to talk to someone about Sarah, but he wasn’t sure who that should be. Teaspoon wasn’t it.

“I’ll try to do better next time,” was his reply.

Teaspoon tried another tact.

“You goin’ to the dance, son?”

“Yup…with Sarah,” he volunteered, hoping that would make Teaspoon happy, and he would stop the questions.

“I’m mighty happy to hear that,” he told him. “She’s a good lady.”

Jimmy just nodded his head, as one of the townsfolk called to Teaspoon.

“I best go see what Hal wants. You gonna help Noah with them fences?”

“Yup,” Jimmy told him as he began to walk in the direction of the station, while Teaspoon went in the opposite direction.

“Hey Jimmy…wait up!” he heard Buck call. Now what? He turned to face him with a question on his face.

“What time we goin’ to pick the ladies up tomorrow?” Buck wanted to know as he fell in step next to him.

“I hadn’t thought none about it.”

“I think things start here around 11.”

“Then why don’t we plan on bein’ at their place around then? I don’t think they’ll mind much if they miss the speeches part.”

“Probably not,” Buck agreed. “Where ya goin’?”

“Help Noah with the fences.”

“I’ll help too.”

Not knowing what Jimmy’s mood was when he rode in the next morning, Sarah was a bit wary.

“Mornin’ Sarah,” Buck called as he jumped off his horse. “Where’s Melissa?”

“In the house. She’ll be out in a minute. Mornin’ Jimmy.”

“Mornin’ Sarah. You ready for the celebration?” he asked, suddenly feeling better than he had since he’d seen her when he’d been practicing. He felt as if the sun had just come out for him.

Sarah breathed a sigh of relief. This was the Jimmy she had fallen in love with.

“I am ready for just about anything today. How about you two?” she smiled up at him since he hadn’t gotten off his horse and over at Buck to include him. She mounted her horse.

“I think we are in the celebration mood too,” Buck replied as Melissa came out of the house carrying a large picnic basket. He hurried over to her to help with it and finally decided to carry it.

On the ride into town, they passed the time pleasantly. They turned their horses out at the station before they walked into the town to see what was going on. The ladies had a fine time studying some of the crafts the towns ladies had displayed, and Jimmy and Buck seemed to enjoy looking at some of the crops that had been produced by the farmers. They played a couple games of chance before they all realized that they were hungry. They found a shady spot to sit and eat their picnic, and the men proclaimed that the women had done an outstanding job of feeding them. It was during this time that it seemed to Sarah that the relationship between Melissa and Buck had changed somewhat. She really couldn’t put her finger on it, but they seemed more loving to each other. She liked that, since she really cared for Buck. And whatever mood Jimmy had been in the other day…there wasn’t even a hint of that now. In fact, after they had eaten, he held his hand down to her to pull her up and retained the hold on her hand. That definitely made her happy. Another thing she noticed was that the townspeople seemed very surprised to see Jimmy with her. They appeared to be even more surprised and sent disapproving looks Buck and Melissa’s way. She hoped that was as far as it went, but the more she saw of it, the angrier she became. Jimmy suddenly stopped walking and turned her towards him.

“Now I’ll try one more time, Sarah Brooks. Where are you?” Jimmy asked her.

She quickly realized that Jimmy had been trying to talk to her, and she’d been too lost in her thoughts to hear him.

“I’m sorry, Jimmy,” she said as she slipped her arm through his, and they began walking again. They’d been headed towards the church to listen to the presentation by the children’s choir. “I was starting to get upset. Have you noticed the looks that Buck and Melissa have been getting?”

“Yeah…it’s the Indian thing. We’re all used to it. We see it, but these fine folks can’t seem to get past the fact that he’d got Indian in him.”

“But it’s so damn unfair!” she said as she stomped her foot in anger.

He smiled as the curse word escaped her lips.

“I know.”

“Isn’t he supposed to find someone to love him?”

“Only if it’s his own kind,” was Jimmy reply.

“Sometimes these people make me so angry! Buck’s one of the finest people I know.”

“You’re right.”

“And they can’t see it.”

“Let it go, Sarah. You ain’t gonna change them. Sides, Melissa don’t strike me as the kind of woman who’s gonna let it bother her none.”

“You’re right about that,” Sarah finally laughed.

Jimmy was pleased to hear it. He could feel her relax against him. Why did the sun seem just a little bright today? The world a little clearer?

“You know what Sarah?”

“What?” Sarah asked him, looking up at him.

“I’m really glad that you’re my friend!” was all he said as he led her to a place to sit that would be close to the children’s choir. Buck sat down on the other side of Sarah before Sarah could reply to Jimmy’s statement. Instead she just smiled at him and squeezed his arm, hoping that he would know she was happy about it too.

“I’m the lucky one. I am sitting between the two handsomest men here!” Sarah stated as first she hugged Buck and then Jimmy. That gave both men smiles, and the people sitting around her raised eyebrows, which had been her intention.

Melissa introduced the children and they were nearly flawless in their songs. There was wild applause after each rendition, and Melissa was quite pleased at the end since they had done so well. After, they hooked up with all the Riders, plus Rachel and Teaspoon and chatted until it got dark. Rachel fed them all, and then it was on to the dance.

“May I?” Jimmy asked her, not waiting for an answer as he pulled her onto the dance floor, twirled her around and took her into his arms. He was not going to let any other man near her tonight.

Melissa looked up at Buck and felt like she had died and gone to heaven. This day had been perfect for her. And now she was going to get to dance through the night in Buck’s arms.

Jake Coulter had pulled into town as it had gotten dark and found out what was going on. He knew that Sarah would be somewhere around, so he checked into the hotel, cleaned up with a bath and a shave, changed into clean clothes, and was out looking for her when the dance music began. He stood on the edge of the crowd, and it didn’t take long to find her. His mouth turned up into a rueful smile when he saw that she was with Hickok. So that’s why Hickok had given him such a hard time about her when he’d first seen her. Knowing that he would get Jimmy very upset, which filled him with glee, and knowing that he really did want to be with Sarah, he made his way through the crowd towards them.

Jake cut such an imposing figure, that Sarah immediately saw him. He looked good since he was all cleaned up, and he had eyes for only her. Her heart sank since she knew that he was there to see her. She’d only wanted to stay in Jimmy’s arms. But she also knew that this would make Jimmy jealous and the feminine side of her thought that wasn’t such a bad idea. She sent a dazzling smile over Jimmy’s shoulder at Jake, stopped dancing and stated,

“Jimmy! Look who’s here!”

Jimmy turned to face the direction she was, and his heart sunk. He saw red as he saw Sarah looking so happy to see Coulter, and Coulter looking like a rooster about to crow as Sarah walked up to him and gave him a welcoming kiss on the cheek.

“May I have this dance? Outta the way, Hickok!” Coulter stated pompously as Jimmy watched Sarah go willingly into his arms. She turned a smiling face up to Coulter and forgot that she had left him standing there.

Immediately Jimmy felt an arm go around his shoulders.

“Son…women are a funny bunch,” Teaspoon told him as he steered him off the floor. “You think that you gots ‘em where you wants ‘em, and then they show you that you don’t.”

“What in tarnation is he doin’ in town?” Jimmy snarled.

“Probably just passin’ through. He and Miss Sarah saw each other the last time he was here, didn’t they?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, he’s probably taken a cotton to her, and now whenever he’s around he’ll be stoppin’ by lessen she tells him not to. Any reason she should tell him not to?” Teaspoon asked, eyebrows raised.

“Nope. I’ll be gettin’ back to the station,” was all Jimmy said as he moved away from Teaspoon. The last thing he wanted to do was watch Sarah and Coulter smiling at each other all night. How could she just forget that he was even there? Especially after the good time they’d been having that day?

Sarah knew right away that Jimmy wasn’t around. Oh well, that was alright. She couldn’t say that she was having a bad time. Jake was very entertaining and a very good dancer. She knew that she could listen to him talk all night, and she thought that he had the best looking hair she had ever seen. Plus she was flattered that he seemed to want to spend some time with her. She had a feeling though, that Jake could be a dangerous man. Towards the end of the evening, a boy ran up to Jake and whispered something to him. He turned to her with regret.

“I’m sorry Sarah. I gotta go. Someone I’m lookin’ for has been seen.”

“That’s alright. I understand.”

“Walk me to the hotel?”

“Sure,” she smiled as she slipped her arm through his.

“I’ll try and get back to see you if that’s alright.”

“I’d like that, Jake,” she told him.

They stopped walking outside the hotel, and he looked down at her. She really was the most beautiful lady he’d ever had go out with him. She was sweet and kind. Was it time for him to think about hanging up his guns and settling down?

“What are you thinking Jake?” she asked. He was looking down at her with the most tender expression on his face.

He sort of laughed and shook his head.

“Thoughts I shouldn’t be thinkin’. Will you be alright if I leave you?”

“Sure. I can get Buck or one of the Riders to escort me back to my ranch. Don’t worry about it.”

Jake cupped her cheek with his hand and caressed her chin with his thumb.

“Next time I promise I’ll do the escortin’!”

“I’ll hold you to that, Jake.”

He moved her over into the shadows and took her into his arms. Sarah held her breath as his head descended towards hers. Jake’s kiss was good…real good. It was unlike any she had received from Jimmy. It took her breath away.

“Now, you take care till I see you again!” he told her as he kissed her briefly again, then disappeared.

Sarah took a shaky breath and shook her head. As good as it had been, it wasn’t Jimmy’s kiss and that’s the one she preferred she realized. Jimmy! Oh no! He was probably really angry with her for dumping him. She almost wanted to just ride back to the ranch by herself and give him time to cool off. But what good would that accomplish? Taking another deep breath, she walked over to the station. She looked into the barn, and found Cisco there…so he was around somewhere. She started for the bunkhouse and heard,

“You lookin’ for someone?”

She turned quickly around to see him sitting on the top railing of the corral fence. Steady, girl, steady! She told herself. She walked over to him and climbed onto the bottom railing and leaned against the top one.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I was looking for you. You disappeared.”

“You jist now noticin’ that?” he bit off, not being able to decide just how angry he was about all of this. He felt as if she had betrayed him.

“Yeah, he was angry! “No, but Jake had to leave, and I was wondering if you would escort me home?”

He looked at her as if she were crazy.

“Escort you home?” He asked incredulously. “You forgit I’m alive, and now you want me to escort you home? I thought we was friends!” he told her bitterly as he jumped down from the fence.”I ain’t had much experience with bein’ friends with people, specially with women, but I’ve had enough experience to know this ain’t the way you treat your friends!” By the end of it, he was yelling at her and pushing his finger into her chest.

Sarah was close to tears. Here she’d just been trying to make him a little jealous, and she had ended up really hurting him, undoing all these weeks of hard work on her part to try to get closer to him.

“You’re right,” she told him softly with a quivering voice. “And I’m sorry. I treated you badly, and I didn’t mean to do that. Will you forgive me Jimmy?”

“No! This friend stuff is stupid anyway. I don’t need this aggravation in my life!” he told her as he backed away from her, not wanting to see her sadness, not wanting her to reach out to him asking for forgiveness.

“So you don’t want us to be friends anymore?” She asked him, feeling the tears start to form in her eyes. How could she have been so stupid? She’d known how complex this man was!

Jimmy really looked at her. If he said no and meant it, he knew he would never see her again. Memories flashed through his mind. First meeting her on that road after her horse had thrown her, taking her reluctantly to that first dance, breaking Mariah for her, going to Fort Laramie to pick up Thunder Heart, that morning at the cabin, all the kisses they had shared, the many conversations they’d had, how happy he was whenever she was around.

“I don’t know Sarah,” he stated truthfully.

Sarah sensed him weakening and suddenly felt a little more confidant. She just needed to persuade him to her way of thinking. She walked over to him.

“I made a mistake, Jimmy, and I’m sorry. I’m asking you to forgive me because I still very much want to be friends with you,” she told him as she put her hand on his, where it was resting on his gun belts. “Please Jimmy.”

She felt him standing there, like a wall, and just as unbendable. Jimmy just wanted to throw his arms around her and hold her close. But the part that had put up a barrier to all others was still there, very strong.

Sarah looked up at him as she stepped closer to him.

“You’ve given me so much in this friendship, Jimmy. I don’t want to lose any of that. I am truly sorry for my behavior tonight. Can we please be friends again? I swear that I’ll try harder,” and she laid her head against his chest, holding her breath.

Jimmy looked down at her, standing against him, with her head lying against him. She fit so perfectly there, and in truth, that’s where he wanted her. Then her head moved, and he felt her putting little kisses all over his chest, and as she stood on her tiptoes, the kisses moved higher. Her arms moved around his waist, as she pressed closer to him. Slowly his arms went around her and crushed her to him.

She knew he had surrendered and her heart filled with gladness.

“Oh Jimmy…Jimmy,” she whispered against his lips that were about to claim hers.

Jimmy kissed her as if he were a dying man gasping for his last breath. Tongues met and caressed each other and did their dance. He left a trail of fiery kisses all over her face before he returned to her mouth. He pressed his arousal into her leg and rubbed against her as his hand found her breast. “Oh baby,” he murmured shakily against her sweet mouth.

They heard laughter close by, and not wanting to let her go, he pulled her into the shadows. He cradled her against him and just held her there, breathing her in. He could feel her starting to shake, and then realized that she was laughing.

“What?” he asked her softly.

“Does this mean I’m forgiven?”

Jimmy chuckled as he willed his arousal to go away, knowing that all he wanted to do was make love to her.

“Oh yeah, you are definitely forgiven! But don’t do that to me again!”

She looked up at him.

“I won’t…swear!” She smiled as she stayed leaning against him. “This feels real nice.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” he agreed as they kept hugging each other.

“But this makes it feel even better,” she told him as she kissed the bottom of his chin.

He kissed her slowly.

“Yes, it does.”

“And this is where I probably tell you that we need to saddle our horses so I can get home?”

“Yeah…I think so,” he told her, reluctant to let her go.

“Do you want me to go find Buck and Melissa?”

“No. They can find their own way home. Sides, I don’t want to share you right now.”

“Good. Let me help you saddle our horses then.”

They worked companionably side by side and were soon heading for her ranch. Jimmy seemed to be lost in thought, so Sarah left him there, happy that they seemed to have things settled between them. She knew if she had to choose between Jake and Jimmy, Jimmy would win every time. Just like Buck would win every time with Melissa. Did Jimmy still see them as just friends? After all the physical contact they’d been having? Knowing Jimmy, probably, she answered her own question. At her ranch, he helped her unsaddle and brush her horse, and then walked her to her door. He seemed very relaxed to her. At least that was a good sign.

“Would you like to come in?” She asked him as they climbed up the steps to her porch.

“I don’t know as that would be a very good idea,” he admitted to her as he took her back into his arms.

“Then I guess I could just stand here with you like this for the next hour or so,” she commented into his chest.

“I don’t know as that would be a very good idea neither!” he laughed.

“You’re right, it’s probably not!” she sighed. “Then I guess I should tell you goodnight and go inside.”

“That would probably be best,” he agreed. “But I think I get another kiss first.”

Was this playful person him? Jimmy Hickok? With her it was fun.

“I think I can do that Mr. Hickok, sir,” she told him as she threw her arms around him, totally fell against him, and raised her face to his. He was immediately on her, and it was beginning to rival the kiss he gave her by the corral. They were both a bit breathless when they pulled apart.

“Now you git inside,” he commanded as he pushed her gently towards the door.

“You know, Mariah wouldn’t mind if you came over to ride him again.”

“I jist mite do that,” he told her as he left her porch and headed for Cisco.

“Thanks for today,” she called after him. He waved his hand in acknowledgement and jumped on Cisco, waving again as he left.

Jimmy was glad for the cold wind in his face. He needed to clear his head. He felt totally surrounded by all that was Sarah, and at the moment, he didn’t mind. Only an hour ago, he wouldn’t have thought that there was anything she could do to fix their friendship. And now, where did it go now? She was becoming like lifeblood to him. A necessary part of his life. She made him smile. She made him happy. He didn’t want to begrudge himself these pleasures just yet.

Sarah smiled to herself as Jimmy rode off. Thank God she had talked him out of being angry with her for dumping him for Jake at the dance. She’d definitely learned her lesson with this. You could only push Jimmy so far. And she was determined that she would never push him over that line again. She couldn’t imagine her life without Jimmy in it. Especially not now that they were getting closer. Sarah yawned and finally went inside, wondering when Buck would bring Melissa home.

It was getting late as Buck and Melissa left the Harvest Celebration. They had danced until the folks playing the music had packed up and gone home. It had been such a beautiful day, and neither of them wanted it to end. Buck had helped Teaspoon quickly do his rounds in town, while Melissa had walked home with Rachel.

“You have such a smile on your face. Wouldn’t have anythin’ to do with a certain Mr. Buck Cross now would it?” Rachel smiled and slipped an arm around her shoulders.

Melissa blushed in the moonlight.”It just could have! I’ve had such a wonderful time today! The children did a tremendous job, and I was so proud of them all! The picnic, the games, and lastly the dance. I didn’t realize that this sort of thing could be so much fun. I never attended anything like this back home! Buck just made it all that much more special!”

They had reached the house, and Rachel smiled her way once more. “You should really be proud of the children. They worked so hard. I knew that you would do well with them. They’re so innocent, and don’t live as we adults do! Shame some of their parents can’t learn from their own children!” They sat down on the porch swing and Rachel looked her way. “You know there was a while there after Ike died that I didn’t think we would ever see Buck smile again. But you’ve brought that smile back to his face. You’re good for him Melissa. Very good!”

“I hope so Rachel. But I guess only time will tell what the future holds.”

Buck and Teaspoon had come alone shortly after the ladies had reached the house. They found them still sitting in the swing.

“Did you ladies have a nice time today?” Teaspoon had stepped up on the porch and was looking their direction.

“Wonderful Teaspoon. I think you had a right nice time too. I even saw you dancing with the Hankins girl!”

Teaspoon sort of stuttered. “Well, what was I ‘possed to do? I couldn’t seem to git Buck here to go over and dance with her. Seems he was a mite tied up all nite!” Teaspoon laughed as he patted Buck on the back.

“That’s rite and I enjoyed every minute of it! You should dance with the Hankins girl more often Teaspoon. Mite be you could learn her not to step on your toes when you’re a dancin’!” Buck laughed as he reached to pull Melissa up from the swing.

“Now she ain’t that bad. She didn’t step on my toes but once the whole time.”

“Well from now on, we’ll give you the privilege of dancin’ with the Hankins girl at all the up comin’ dances!”

Teaspoon sputtered a bit as Buck and Melissa stepped around him. “See you two in the mornin’. I’ve got to escort this beautiful lady home.” With that they headed for the corral where they had turned their horses out earlier.

They saddled their mounts in silence and then rode out of the station yard holding hands.

Teaspoon watched them go, and then turned to Rachel who was still sitting in the swing. “All my boys is a growin’ up Rachel!”

She smiled. “It’s time Teaspoon. It’s time!” She stood up and he escorted her inside. It had been a very good day.

“I had a wonderful time Buck. I don’t think the day could have been more perfect!” She smiled his way as they rode in-between the fences at Sarah’s ranch. There was a lone light glowing in the living room. Melissa looked towards it and assumed that Jimmy had already escorted Sarah home. She hadn’t seen them any where when they had left the dance.

“It was perfect. I couldn’t have found a better way to spend the day than with a beautiful lady like you!” They had left Buck’s horse by the porch, and he had led Melissa and her mount towards the barn. He knew that she would want to see to it before she went inside.

He reached up to help her from the saddle. She glanced down at him. He was so perfect standing there. She wanted nothing more than to be held in his arms all night! That thought shook her. She knew that she shouldn’t be thinking thoughts like those! She turned to face him and leaned over letting him take her hips into his hands, lifting her from the saddle. Slowly, her body slid down the length of him, until her feet brushed against every inch of him. Looking up, his lips came down on top of hers. She slipped her arms around his neck, letting him draw her body even closer still to his own.

His tongue teased her lips open and it met and danced with her. His hand slowly caressed her back all along her spine. Her fingers were entwined in his long hair, and she forgot everything else existed except the two of them. They were pressed firmly against one another.

Buck drew in a ragged breath. Her breasts were rubbing against his chest, and he moaned, as he remembered what they looked, felt, and tasted like. His blood was beginning to reach the boiling point. His body was responding to the pent up passion that he held for this lady. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could actually keep his distance from her without making her his.

The horse shifted away from them, eating hay that had fallen from the loft, their existence forgotten. In seconds, Buck had pressed Melissa back against the stall. She could feel every part of him pressed into her body, and the feelings excited her. She started spreading nibbling kisses down the side of his face, towards his neck. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she wasn’t sure how to deal with the feelings that were flowing through her veins. She just knew that this felt so right, being in Buck’s arms. She had never felt this way before. As his body slowly rubbed against hers, she vividly remembered what had happened between them at the cabin, and she knew that she wished they were still there, alone this time, where no one could interrupt them. She knew what would happen if they were, and she couldn’t help the moan that came from somewhere deep inside her body.

Buck’s hands slipped around to pull the blouse that she wore loose from the top of her skirt. His warm hand, slowly slipped beneath to find and caress her breast. His fingers finding the already extended nipple and he rolled it between his finger tips. Melissa moaned again and pressed close to him.

Her hands began exploring on their own it seemed. They traveled down his back, over his slim hips, and then came to rest over his hardness. For a moment, Melissa hesitated. Then she softly caressed him. She heard Buck’s sharp intake of breath, and the moan that quickly followed. Oh how he wanted this woman.

For several seconds more they stood locked in their embrace. Buck’s mouth found its way to her freed breasts, and his tongue sent fire through her, wave after wave of hot delicious fire. Her hands had worked his shirt free of his pants, and they were making their way slowly up his chest underneath. Her touch was hot to his skin.

Pulling his lips away from her breasts, he looked up into her eyes. They were filled with passion. He also realized that if they didn’t stop what they were doing, it would be too late. He sighed and crushed her against him. His words were whispered into her hair. “Ah Melissa…. I wish…”

She pulled away slightly and looked up into his eyes, licking suddenly dry lips. She knew what he wished, for she was wishing the same with every fiber of her being.

She slowly stepped away from him, and started to readjust her clothing. Her hands were trembling as she buttoned her blouse. Her breath uneven as she whispered, “We better go…” But she knew that wasn’t what she wanted to do.

Buck knew she was right. He couldn’t take advantage of her. He tucked his shirt back in his pants and willed himself to be calm. It wasn’t an easy thing to do. He put her horse into its stall, and the two of them, walked slowly from the barn.

He held her hand tightly in his. Not wanting to turn her loose…not wanting to tell her goodnight, as he knew he was about to have to do. Melissa marveled at the fact that she was even able to walk towards the house, her legs were trembling so. She had to get these feeling that were crashing through her body to calm down

On the porch, Buck looked down into her upturned face. He could still see the passion smoldering there. His hand came up to brush a strand of hair from her eyes. No words were needed as he read her feelings.

“Thank you for a beautiful day and nite.” He leaned down and softly kissed her lips. “I’ll see you soon.”

As he turned to go, her hand on his arms stopped him. He looked her way once more. “I don’t want to you go!” Her words were a whisper, for his ears only.

“I know. I’d much rather stay here with you. But Sarah’s here and I ain’t shore how she would feel about it. The time jist ain’t rite yet.” He reached down to caress her cheek. She leaned into his palm. “It will be soon!” He kissed her once more, and she stood there watching him walk to his horse and mount up. With a wave, he turned and was gone. Melissa sighed and slipped into the house.

She blew out the oil lamp by the door and with a shaky breath, she headed for her room and some sleep. But she knew that it would be a long time in coming tonight.

Buck rode back to the station, giving his horse his head. The cool air circled around him, cooling the blood in his veins. It had taken everything in him to walk away from Melissa. But he had known now wasn’t the time. He knew it was coming. And it would be soon.

Jimmy had ridden back to the station in much the same state of mind as Buck. He’d wanted to hold Sarah close for the entire night, but he knew he couldn’t. Where was this relationship…this friendship that they had going? Sometimes he just didn’t understand it at all.

Jimmy turned over on his bunk when Buck slipped into the bunkhouse. He sat up on the edge of his bed, and looked Buck’s way. His back was to him as he unbuckled his gun belt and hung it from a peg on the wall.

“Have a nice time?”

Jimmy’s low voice startled Buck. He turned to gaze his way.”Yeah. You?”

“Best I had in a long time. Was hard tellin’ Sarah goodnite!”

Buck smiled at the tone in Jimmy’s voice. Maybe he was beginning to see that he had some feelings inside for Sarah.

“I know. I didn’t want to leave Melissa neither. I knew I couldn’t stay though, It ain’t the rite time yet.”

“Reckon we’ll know when it’s the rite time? I jist don’t understand this relationship Sarah and I got.”

Buck smiled to himself. His back was still to Jimmy as he began to undress. Slipping under the covers, he glanced towards his friend. “One day, it will all fall into place Jimmy. Don’t worry so much ‘bout it.” He lay down on his bunk and closed his eyes.

Jimmy sat still for a moment or two then laid down pulling the covers up around his shoulders. Perhaps Buck was right. Why spend time worrying about it. Whatever happened, happened.

The following week was normal for everyone. Jimmy had a ride early in the week. He was gone for several days, and Sarah missed his company. She was used to him riding out to see her every day, helping her with any chores that needed to be done.

Melissa spent half of each day at the church going over the service for the up coming Sunday. Though her fingers were playing over the keys of the organ, her mind was on something very different than music! Buck had not left her mind since the night of the celebration. She had seen him several times that week, their time together always enjoyable.

It was Saturday night. Cody had approached Melissa about going out with him for dinner and the dance that night. Once more Buck had beaten him to it. Cody wondered just how interested Buck was in Melissa. It seemed that no one else could make time with her. Did he want to step aside and let Buck have her? He wasn’t sure. Oh well, he would go to the dance and perhaps he would get that chance to dance at least one dance with the beautiful Melissa!

Jimmy and Buck rode towards Sarah’s ranch. Jimmy had asked Sarah to the dance, and Sarah had been thrilled. She was afraid to wonder how long this relationship with Jimmy would last. How long would the walls be down so that she could be close to him? She had a feeling that it could shut her out at any time.

The men took the ladies to the hotel to eat first. As usual, Buck and Melissa got many strange looks as they entered together. Sarah noticed them, but didn’t say anything. She was going to have to talk to Melissa the first chance she got about it. She didn’t want her to be taken by surprise some day when someone stopped her and mentioned it. She still didn’t understand why some people couldn’t see pasf the color of a person’s skin! Sarah didn’t even think that Buck had noticed the strange looks they were receiving. He was too wrapped up in Melissa. She smiled; she could tell Buck was in love with her friend, even if he didn’t know it himself yet!

The dance, as usual, was a lot of fun. The most fun was gotten as Teaspoon tried to get one of the boys to dance with the Hankins girl.

“Cody, you ain’t doin’ nothin’ rite now. Go on over there and ask sweet Mary Jane Hankins to dance!” Teaspoon had his arm around Cody’s shoulders and turned him in her direction.

“Nope! I hear tell you are the lucky one tonite! You git to dance with her! Buck done told me so! Says you’d git jealous if any a us went over and asked her to dance!” There was a grin a mile wide on Cody’s face as he watched Teaspoon’s face turn crimson.

“He told you what?” Teaspoon looked around the dance floor for Buck and found him, as usual, twirling Melissa around in his arms.

“Yeah Teaspoon, told us you enjoyed dancin’ with her so much at the Harvest Celebration, that you mentioned you wanted to be the onlyest one to dance with her tonite!” Kid looked Teaspoon’s way, and Lou tried her best not to laugh out loud at the look on Teaspoon’s face.

“I have you boys know that ain’t the way it happened! I only danced with her that nite cause I don’t like seein’ her be no wall flower! None a yous boys seemed to be round to help me out that nite! So I took it upon myself to see that she was gittin’ a good time!”

“Well, you are the lucky one who gits to see that she gits ‘nother good time tonite! Ain’t he boys?” Cody patted him on the back and turned to hurry away. “There’s Amy Johnson, I think I’ll ask her to dance!”

Teaspoon scowled at Cody’s back and turned towards Kid. “Don’t go lookin’ at me none! I got my own wife here to look after!” They headed back to the dance floor.

Teaspoon sighed. Might as well get this over with. Looking around to make sure that no one was really paying him any attention, he stepped over to Mary Jane and offered her his arm, which she took with a big smile on her face. Within the first two minutes, she had stepped on his toes at least ten times! Teaspoon vowed he’d get the boys back for this one!

Over in a corner, Cody was laughing so hard he was about to bust a gut. Now Teaspoon knew how it felt when he had them feel sorry for her!

Jimmy hadn’t let go of Sarah once that night. Even when they weren’t dancing, he was holding her hand or elbow. Sarah felt very special with all the attention he was showering on her. Rachel noticed it too, and leaned over to whisper, “Looks as if you have Jimmy where you want him!”

Sarah smiled her way. But she wondered about that. She didn’t feel like this would last long. It wasn’t like Jimmy at all! At least not what she knew or what she had heard. Jimmy looked down at her from her side, and smiled. His hair was tucked behind his ear and he leaned near to her. He was so handsome standing by her side. In seconds they were back out on the dance floor.

The music was slow, and Jimmy pulled her even closer to his body as they swayed together. Sarah knew that she shouldn’t be letting him hold her so close. So close that his body was brushing against hers. But she couldn’t help it. This was where she wanted to be…always!

Looking up into his eyes, she noticed that he was smiling. She loved to see him smile. Lately he had been doing a lot of that around her. She just prayed that she never gave him anything to frown about.

Leaning near, he captured her lips with his own. Jimmy couldn’t explain what he was feeling right then. He just knew that holding this lady close to his body was where she was supposed to be for now. And he had to admit that he loved the feel of her there.

Sarah sighed as the kiss ended, and she laid her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. This was the nearest thing to heaven that she had ever known!

Melissa was feeling much the same as Sarah. She and Buck had danced nearly every dance together. He had relinquished his hold on her only twice.
Once to Teaspoon, and once to Cody. He wouldn’t have let Cody spirit her off for the dance if Teaspoon hadn’t needed his help to bring in a few more tables from the back to place food on.

She had enjoyed her dance with Cody, but it wasn’t Buck’s arms that were around her. They had chatted about this and that while they had moved around the floor. Cody had hinted that he would like to take her for a ride the following afternoon after church. She knew that she would much rather be with Buck but didn’t want to hurt Cody’s feelings. She had promised to let him know after church. He seemed happy with that.

Buck had quickly reclaimed her after the dance ended making Cody groan. “Ain’t you gonna give her a breath a for you whisk her back on that dance floor? She mite want some punch!”

Buck grinned as he quickly escorted Melissa back onto the floor, throwing over his shoulder, “That would be mighty nice a you Cody! Could you have two cups ready when the next dance is through?”

Cody sent him a nasty look. “I weren’t talkin’ ‘bout getting’ you none Buck!”

Buck just laughed as he took Melissa in his arms. Pulling her close. They moved as one over the dance floor.

Several of the church members were watching from the side lines. “Ain’t that the church organist and choir director dancin’ with that savage?”

“It shore is! And she associates with our children?” The tone of voice was one of disbelief.

“I see rite now we are gonna have to say somethin’ to the reverend ‘bout his choice of people in the church that we attend.”

“I’ll not have my children any where near choir practice from now on!”

“My little Elizabeth came home the other night tellin’ me that the teacher’s boyfriend had been at choir practice. But I sure didn’t think she meant that no good half breed!”

“I tell you it’s a sin! She ought to know better!” The lady just shook her head, as the others seemed to agree with her.

The church goers continued to watch Buck and Melissa move around the dance floor. Neither of them was aware of the talk that was going on around them. Anyone who had been watching them could tell that the feelings between them were very strong that night.

Buck and Jimmy escorted the ladies home around ten. Melissa wanted to get some rest before she had to head for church the following morning. They had borrowed the buckboard from the station, so they all rode back together. Jimmy had insisted on being the one to handle the horses, so Sarah had climbed up beside him in the seat. Melissa and Buck took the time to cuddle in the back. The air was getting much cooler, and everyone knew that fall was on the way.

Jimmy felt safer with his hands on the reins. He had spent the entire night fighting off the urge to ask Sarah to slip away from the dance and spend some time alone with him. What was his problem? It seemed that all he could think about was holding her in his arms, and kissing all over her. He knew they were friends, but was this the way one acted with a lady friend? He didn’t want to think about it so he pushed the thought aside. It was so nice having her near. It was nice to have someone to laugh with, someone to talk to. If he admitted it, he had missed that in his life. This was nice.

Sarah wondered why Jimmy was silent as they rode along. Was something bothering him? She saw him glance her way and she smiled slightly. He seemed nervous. Was it possible that he had been feeling some of what she’d been feeling all evening? The want to have him all to herself? She’d been thinking a lot about what had happened between them at the cabin, and after the Harvest Celebration. She couldn’t help the way she was beginning to feel. She wanted so much to happen between her and this man. But at times she just didn’t know which way to turn when it came to Jimmy. All she could do was let nature take its own course.

Jimmy heard her sigh, and slipped the reins into one hand. With the other he reached over to pull her closer. He had to touch her. He’d soon be telling her goodnight! His good intentions be damned. She smiled his direction and laid her head over on his shoulder. She hoped that the ranch was a million miles away!

The two of them could hear Buck and Melissa talking softly to one another in the back. Every now and then Melissa would giggle. Sarah had a pretty good idea what was happening back there. Once they reached the ranch, she was going to find a way to get Jimmy all to herself for a few minutes. Just a kiss goodnight wasn’t exactly what she had in mind.

Melissa and Buck had been thrilled that Jimmy had insisted on driving the horses back to the ranch. Buck had helped her onto the back of the buckboard and then had spread the blanket over her so that she wouldn’t get cold. He had thrown it onto the buckboard just incase it got cool as the night wore on. Now he was glad that he had. She lifted one side of it in invitation, and he snuggled down close beside her. He liked this…

Melissa sighed, her arms wrapped around Buck’s waist, her head resting on his chest. Buck’s chin rested on her head, and he closed his eyes for a moment. He wished that these moments could go on forever!

As they drew nearer to the ranch, Jimmy couldn’t contain himself any longer. Sarah was cuddled close to his side, and he leaned nearer and started kissing her lips. Her arms came up around his neck, and she moved closer to his side. Not really watching where they were going, the buckboard veered to the right and rolled over a pretty large rock on the side of the road. It shifted everyone around a bit. Melissa bumped her head on Buck’s chin and felt herself slipping away from him. She let out an “ouch” as her shoulder hit the rough boards of the bed of the buckboard. Sarah bounced back to her side of the seat. Guess it wasn’t meant for them to share any close moment right then.

“Sorry, I sorta weren’t wathcin’ where we was goin’!”

He didn’t hear any comments from the back, so he assumed that they were okay.

Melissa heard Buck’s soft voice next to her ear. “You okay?” She looked up, and he was directly over her. The unexpected movement had landed her on her back. Looking up into Buck’s eyes, she never answered his question. His lips lowered to hers and her arms entwined around his neck.

The kiss sent fire through them both. They way the kisses seemed to do lately. Slowly Buck lowered his body down on Melissa’s and she pulled the blanket closer around them. She wasn’t aware of the rough boards beneath her any longer.

Melissa reached up to pull the hat from Buck’s head, and her fingers slipped into his hair. His right hand had slowly slid down her side, over her hip, then back up to caress her breast through the blouse that she wore. She tore her lips from his and kissed the hollow of his neck, breathing in the scent that was all Buck.

His mouth found hers again, and his fingers undid the first few buttons of he blouse, his hand trying to make contact with skin through all the under garments that she wore. She brushed his hand away and did it for him, wanting to feel his touch as strongly as he wanted to give it.

His lips lightly touched her here and there until they came to rest at the top of her left breast. Then his mouth closed over the nipple and Melissa reveled in the sensations that his lips were sending through her. Her hands began to wander down over his body and came to rest on his backside. She pulled him closer and his hardness settled between her thighs. She arched her body up against him, and they both moaned at the same instant.

Jimmy had brought the buckboard to a stop in front of Sarah’s house. The two of them were sitting cuddled on the seat. Their lips were softly caressing one another’s. Both he and Sarah heard the soft moans from the back, and Jimmy darted a look in Buck and Melissa’s direction.

Sarah decided this was her chance to have Jimmy alone for a few minutes. She reached for his hand, and pulled him with her. “Come with me to check on Mariah. I need to see that he’s settled in for the night. Besides, I think they could use some privacy.” She blushed a little around the edges, and pulled him down from the seat of the buckboard.

He followed her towards the barn. He wasn’t gonna protest. He’d been wishing that he had this lady alone again anyway!

Mariah stuck his head over the stall door when he heard them enter the barn. Sarah made her way over to him in the darkness, and Jimmy lit the lantern that was hanging by the door.

“He okay?” Jimmy stepped up behind her, slipping his arms around her from behind. She leaned back against him, loving the feel of his strong arms around her.

“I think so. Some nights he gets a little restless. Looks like tonight isn’t one of those nights.” She stood for several moments as they were. Her body fitting nicely against his. He leaned down and kissed her neck and a shiver ran up her spine. Slowly she turned in his arms, and lifted her face up to his to be kissed. He took the invitation, savoring her lips with his own, pulling her closer still, needing to feel her against every inch of his body.

His hand traveled from her waist up towards her breast, closing around one of them through the blouse that she wore. Sarah could feel every nerve in her body standing on end.

She started unbuttoning the buttons of his shirt. She wanted to feel his skin under her finger tips. His lips were raining kisses over the side of her face, down her neck, towards his hands. His mouth closed over a nipple through the blouse and his teeth teased it through the thin material. Sarah gasped, pulling his head closer to her. She ran her fingers through his hair.

He unbuttoned her blouse, and Sarah thought that she would melt into a puddle when his mouth found the same nipple, unclothed. She felt the stall door against her back and for a moment she enjoyed the feelings rushing through her. Then her hands were itching to caress him.

Slipping them down over his shoulders, her right hand came to rest on his backside, while her left skimmed over his hip and slowly caressed his full arousal. For a second, Jimmy’s mouth stopped doing wonderful things to the breast that he had completely exposed to the dimness of the barn light. His breath caught in his throat as her fingers closed around him through the pants that he wore. He groaned as she continued to touch and caress him. Sweat broke out on his brown, and his blood was boiling. She had no idea what she was doing to him…or did she?

Sarah had never lain with a man before, but she knew that if she had a chance to do so with this one, that it would be so right. So perfect. She should be frightened of these feelings. But there was no fear. Only desire and want to continue with what they had started. He pulled her close against him, trapping her hand between them. He rubbed against that hand, at the same time her bare breasts touched his bare chest and it was like a bolt of lightening ran through them both. Suddenly Sarah was being shoved from behind. Mariah had been watching them from the first kiss. When Sarah had moaned, he wasn’t totally sure what was happening and had butted Sarah in the back so hard with his head, that he had knocked them off balance. They both started to fall. Jimmy caught Sarah before she fell to the floor.

For a moment, they were both stunned. Then Sarah was laughing as she turned to look at Mariah, who had his head stuck as far over the stall door as he could get it, blowing at her. She pulled her blouse closed with one hand, and turned fully around to caress his soft nose. “It’s all right boy. I’m fine!” She looked at Jimmy over her shoulder and he was shaking his head.

“Guess we should be glad he decided to try and protect you!”

Sarah laughed again. “I guess so, though his timing is way off!” She buttoned her blouse, and turned once more to Jimmy. “Guess we should go and interrupt Buck and Melissa. Not fair that they should enjoy themselves when we can’t!”

Jimmy laughed. “I totally agree! I cain’t say as I’ve ever been interrupted by a horse at such an inopportune time!” Laughing again, he slipped an arm around Sarah’s shoulders, and blew out the lantern as they walked by.

Buck knew that they would fit so well together, as he rubbed against her once more. The blanket was covering them, and all he could think about was making this lady his. His hand moved down over her hip, towards her thigh. Melissa was busy unbuttoning the shirt that he wore, kissing his chest, her mouth playing over a nipple that she had uncovered.

He inched her skirt up slowly towards her waist, caressing her thigh. His mouth left her breast, and his lips brushed against first one thigh and then another. Melissa had forgotten about kissing his chest and she moaned as his fingers touched her secret place. Once more he was restricted by her under garments. His lips kissed a path from her thighs back up towards her lips. He settled once more between her legs, and she drew in a ragged breath at the feel of his hardness so close to where she knew it belonged. She trembled in his arms, but not from the cold. She was so hot she felt as if she were on fire.

Just as Melissa was reaching to undo the buttons of his pants, voices broke into their world. They both looked at one another startled. What were they doing?

“I don’t see a light. They must not have gone in yet. Melissa, Buck where are you?” Sarah called out to them for the simple reason that she didn’t want to walk up on them and end up embarrassing them, plus themselves in case they were in n intimate situation. And from all indications when she and Jimmy had left, that was what had been happening.

Buck rested his nose in Melissa’s hair. She was still trembling beneath him. She couldn’t believe that they had come so close to making love in the back of the buckboard, with no worries what so ever as to where Sarah and Jimmy were! She took a deep breath, and then called to Sarah.

“We’re here on the buckboard. Go on in. We’ll be there in a minute or two.”

Sarah smiled up at Jimmy, both of them able to tell by the tone of Melissa’s voice that they had indeed interrupted.

Buck slipped off Melissa and helped to right her clothes. What did he say to her? He shouldn’t have let things go that far. A few more minutes and he would have been making love to her right there in the middle of the front yard! “Melissa, I…”

She looked up at him from where she was sitting. She placed two fingers over his lips. “Shh, don’t say a word. It would have been beautiful.” She leaned near and kissed his lips softly. Then she threw off the blanket and jumped from the back of the buckboard. Buck buttoned his shirt and followed her towards the porch.

Halfway there, Buck reached for her and pulled her into his arms. “You’re rite. It would have been beautiful. And the closer we come each time, makes me know that it ain’t gonna be long a fore we share one ‘nother that way!”

Melissa shivered as his words sent a thrill through her body. She smiled and leaned closer to kiss him once more.

“Guess we should let you ladies go in. It’s getting’ late.” Jimmy leaned closer and kissed Sarah’s lips. He felt the fire still smoldering below the surface. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Both ladies were standing, looking up into their men’s eyes, and they were both thinking the same thing. They didn’t want to tell them goodnight!

Sarah leaned closer to Jimmy. “I enjoyed tonight.”

“So did I,” he smiled and wondered if there was a hidden meaning there. He kissed her again, and then opened the door and she slipped inside. “Nite!”

Melissa and Buck had been standing to the side, just holding one another. As Jimmy stepped passed them to head to the buckboard, Melissa looked up into Buck’s face. “Will I see you in church tomorrow?”

Buck didn’t know what to say to her. She couldn’t begin to know how much he wanted to be there. “You never know when I might show up!” He leaned near to kiss her one last time. “But I will definitely see you tomorrow at some point.”

She smiled. “Thanks for tonight!” She lingered over a last kiss that she pressed to his mouth, and then backed away towards the door.

He stayed on the porch until she had gone inside. Then he jumped to the ground and climbed on the buckboard with Jimmy.

Their ride back was silent for awhile. Both were tied up in their own thoughts. Once again, the buckboard rolled over a rock and sent them jumping around on the seat. Jimmy laughed out loud.

“I weren’t tryin’ to kill the two a yous back there earlier…I jist weren’t thinkin’ ‘bout drivin’ this buckboard!”

Buck laughed too. “It’s all rite. I was sorta glad it happened. Made things a lot more interestin’! Interestin’ ‘nough I woulda stayed if I coulda figured out a way to do it!”

Jimmy glanced his way. “I know. I was a feelin’ the same.” He fell silent a moment, then asked, “Can I ask you somethin’?”

Buck was surprised that he asked. “Shore.”

“Are you and Melissa friends?”

Buck was startled. “A course we are! Why would you ask me that?”

“I jist ain’t never had a lot of lady friends a fore! I like this friend stuff!” Jimmy looked back towards the road, and Buck wondered what he was getting at. When he didn’t offer anything else, Buck changed the subject.

“I’m thinkin’ a goin’ to church services in the mornin’!”

That got Jimmy’s attention real fast. “You’s what?”

“You heard me. Thinkin’ a goin’ to church! I want to hear Melissa play.”

“You can hear her real good outside under them shade trees! The sound carries real good!”

“I know that. But I ain’t never been to one of them services where she was playin’. When I go listen to the children’s choir practice, I love watchin’ the expressions go across her face. She gits so into what she’d a doin’!”

“Buck you know how them church folks feel ‘bout you comin’ into their church. You already seed that! Mite not be such a good idea for you to go.”

“I ain’t gonna be talked outta this Jimmy! So stop tryin’! I want to see Melissa play and I’m a gonna do it tomorrow!”

“Buck think ‘bout Melissa!”

“I am! That’s why I’m a gonin’!”

Jimmy could tell by the tone in his voice that there wasn’t any way that he was going to change his mind! He sighed. He couldn’t let Buck go alone.

“Then I’ll go with you.”

“You don’t have to do that. Teaspoon, Rachel and Sarah will be there.”

“Okay, so you ain’t gonna need my help to fight off the angry mob, but I’ll tag along…jist in case!”

When Buck had mentioned that Sarah would be there, he knew that he had to go. He didn’t want anything to happen to her should the uppity folk cause problems. And he had a feeling that Buck’s walking into that church alone would cause problems. He couldn’t help but remember what he and Sarah had spoken about at the Harvest Celebration. He knew that they would never change.

Buck smiled slightly, glad that Jimmy had agreed to tag along. He would never admit it that he was a little uneasy about going. “Good, we can sit in the back and it won’t cause no ruckus!”

“I jist hope you’re rite!”

Sarah and Melissa dressed for bed in silence, both alone with their thoughts. Melissa left her room and headed for the kitchen. She knew that she couldn’t sleep. There was no use trying. Maybe something to snack on would help her relax.

But instead of getting anything to eat, she stood at the kitchen window and let her mind drift. As usual, it landed quickly on Buck. Sarah joined her only moments later.

“I see you can’t sleep either.”

“Well, I haven’t really tried. But I know it’s useless!”

“Must have been pretty good out there in the back of that backboard!” Sarah didn’t miss the blush that covered Melissa’s face quickly.

“Seems as though I remember the two of you slipping off to the barn…”

Sarah returned the blush. “We’re bad, you know?”

“I know! Just what are we going to do about it?”

Sarah sighed. “I only wish I knew!”

Melissa nodded. “Well my grandmother should be really happy with this turn of events. Every day that passes brings us closer to something major happening. We’ve talked about the future. Looks as if things will be headed that way.”

Sarah sighed again. “I wish that it could be that simple for Jimmy and me. I have a feeling that we’re getting real close to a turning point in our relationship too. I’m worried how he’s going to react to it.”

“Maybe he’ll realize how he feels about you then.”

“I only hope that’s what happens. But something tells me that it’s only gonna make him run away!”

Melissa turned and slipped an arm around Sarah’s shoulders. “Guess all we can do is wait and see what happens. Maybe next time grandmother Running Doe pays me a visit, I can talk her into going to see Jimmy and knocking some sense into him!”

Sarah laughed. “Maybe that’s just what I need. Perhaps a spirit would turn him around! Shame she isn’t my grandmother!” Sarah laughed again. “We best get to bed, or we’ll never get up in time for church! Can’t have a service without an organist.”

“How true! Goodnight Sarah.”

Melissa headed once more for her room. Sarah was right behind her.

“Night.”

The following morning Buck was up early. He rode out to go to his favorite place to pray to the spirits. He had an uneasy feeling about today, but he wasn’t going to let that stop him from going to the church and hearing Melissa play. Jimmy met him on his way back into town.

“Thought you mite a went off to church without me.”

“Nope. Was on my way to git ya. Ya ready?”

“Ready as I’m a gonna git for somethin’ like this.” Buck nodded and turned his horse around. They headed for town at an easy gallop.

Melissa and Sarah slept late that morning. They both rushed around, bumping into one another as they tried to dress in a hurry. By the time they had climbed into the wagon to head for town, Melissa only had about twenty minutes to spare before services began.

Teaspoon and Rachel were standing outside of the church when the ladies arrived. Melissa had getting into church on her mind, and she didn’t seem to notice anything strange. But Sarah picked up on it right away.

The minute they had driven up in the wagon, several of the church goers started pointing and whispering behind their hands. Sarah wondered what was happening. It seemed that their eyes followed Melissa as she hurried towards the side door of the church. She suddenly had a bad feeling about the morning.

Melissa was trying her best to hurry. She knew that Reverend Johnson liked to start on time. Drawing near to the side door, several people were standing in her path. She sent them a smile and a soft hello. But instead of the greeting she expected to hear from them, what she got was….”Indian Lover!” And yet another “Half-Breed’s Squaw”!

Melissa was taken by surprise. Had she heard right? What had brought all that on? She didn’t stop, she was afraid to. She rushed inside the church and stood for a moment with her back against the door, breathing hard, her heart pounding wildly.

Sarah made her way over to Rachel and Teaspoon. She had seen the people at the door where Melissa had gone in. She hadn’t been able to make out what they had said to her, but she could tell by the look of shock on Melissa’s face that it hadn’t been very nice.

“What’s gotten into these people this morning?” She looked at first Rachel and then Teaspoon. “Those people over by the side door must have said something to Melissa. By the look of shock on her face, I’d say that it wasn’t very nice!”

“I was a feared a this. People in this here town ain’t learned to accept Buck yet. There was a few of these here high an mighty church folk at the dance last night. I seed ‘em watching Buck an Melissa dancin’. I had hoped it weren’t gonna cause no problems.”

“Why do people act that way? It isn’t right. Buck is one of the sweetest, kindest men I know.”

“But these folk cain’t see past the nose on their face. All they see is Buck’s red skin…not his white side. I jist hope they ain’t gonna treat Miss Melissa no different cause of it. But I’m a feared it mite be too late to hope that.”

“She’ll be all right. Melissa can handle anything they throw at her.”

“I shore hope so. Let’s go in and see if’n we can give her some support.”

Rachel patted Sarah’s arm as they headed for the church. Most of the people had already gone inside. They found a seat about halfway down the aisle.

Melissa had gotten herself together and had taken her position at the organ. The children were going to sing once again that morning and she was going to concentrate on that. She wasn’t going to let what had been said to her outside upset her. She looked around the congregation and wasn’t surprised to see the frowns that greeted her. The people were still talking behind their hands and looking boldly towards her. She drew in a deep breath. This wasn’t going to bother her. She would get through this service and then she would worry about it.

Sarah was watching her friend from her seat. She could tell that she was trying to put on her best face. But she could tell how hard it was for her. Melissa was biting her lower lip, and she looked as if she might cry at any given moment.

Jimmy and Buck reined in their horses under the shade trees. Everyone seemed to have already gone inside. So they felt it was safe to slip in the back and take a seat. Maybe no one would notice. But everyone did.

Reverend Johnson had come out from the back and had nodded for Melissa to start the service. She began playing the first hymn, and the congregation started singing.

Buck and Jimmy stepped inside the church, their eyes adjusting to the dimness after the bright sunlight outside. For a moment, Buck stood watching Melissa at the organ. She was beautiful sitting there. Jimmy touched his arm and motioned for him to step into a pew. Buck wasn’t surprised when the man that was standing there inched as far away from him as possible, giving him a dirty look.

It took very little time for the whispering to start. Before the first hymn was finished, the word had reached the middle of the church that a dirty savage was in their midst. People began to look around and stare openly at Buck and Jimmy.

Jimmy knew that he should be used to this sort of thing by now. But it never made it any easier. In a way, it was no different for him. People sometimes looked at him as if he were a freak. All because of something that someone had written about him…outlaw…gunslinger…that was how he was branded. With Buck, it was dirty savage…half-breed. Life just wasn’t fair.

Teaspoon could feel the tension mounting. He turned to see what was causing the stir in the back and was totally shocked to see Buck and Jimmy standing in the back pew. “Oh Lord!”

The spoken words got both Rachel’s and Sarah’s attention. They both turned to see what had seemed to upset Teaspoon. Sarah’s heart dropped to her feet. Why of all days did Buck pick this one to attend services? She could tell that his attention was on Melissa. A smile played around his lips. Sarah’s eyes fell to Jimmy and she could tell that he was very uneasy. He knew as well as they did, what was about to take place.

Reverend Johnson tried to ignore all the noise that was beginning to grow in the little church. It was getting louder than the singing and the organ playing. He glanced at Melissa and noticed that her hands were trembling. He decided that he would go on with the service. He had seen Buck come in, and he wasn’t surprised by the reactions. He was well aware that Melissa was seeing a lot of Buck Cross. He had nothing against Buck. But obviously, a lot of people there did. The first hymn ended and the reverend stepped up to the pulpit.

“We would like to start the service this morning with our fine children’s choir. For any of you who weren’t able to attend the Harvest Celebration, they did a wonderful job. You missed something very wonderful! Melissa has worked very hard with them. Melissa I’ll turn the service over to you.” He stepped back from the pulpit, and Melissa stood up. That was when she first saw Buck. Her eyes softened, and she sent him a trembling smile. But she knew that things weren’t going to be good.

“Thank you Reverend Johnson. If the children would come up front, we’ll see if we can’t do again what we did at the celebration.” She stood at the organ and waited. Several of the children started to move to the front of the church, but they were pulled back by their parents. “Come on children. Don’t be shy!” Melissa put on her best smile, but she knew it was useless. The parents weren’t going to let their children have anything to do with her/

“My child ain’t gonna associate with no Indian lover!”

“Mine neither!”

Several others chimed in with comments. Reverend Johnson searched out Marshal Hunter in the crowd and was glad to see him there.

“What are you aiming to do bout this Reverend Johnson? We cain’t have no breed lover in our church!”

“Yeah, our children cain’t be round a savage. He might run off with them and sell them to his Indian brothers!”

Melissa couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She shot a look in Buck’s direction and she could see the hurt in his eyes.

“Reverend Johnson, since when do we allow Indian squaws in here? I saw her and that half-breed dancin’ together last night. He was a holdin’ her too close for decent folks!”

“Yeah, that means she’s shared his bed many times if they act that way in front of decent folks!”

Someone threw a bible towards Melissa and it struck her on the side of the face. “Let God strike her down for her sins!”

Buck saw red when the book hit Melissa. She grabbed the side of her face and burst into tears. How could people who were supposed to be Christians act this way? He hurried towards her in front of the church. People pushed and shoved at him as he tried to pass.

“There’s the no good savage!”

“Breed! Got out of our church! You ain’t welcomed here!”

“Take your dirty whore with you!”

Several of the women gasped at the last statement. Buck tried to ignore them as he tried to reach Melissa. The people started throwing books at him, anything they could get their hands on. When he looked towards Melissa again, he saw her running out of the church in tears. He hadn’t made it half way up the aisle.

“Good people, please. This is getting us no where!”

But the congregation wasn’t listening to the reverend. They were too caught up in throwing things towards Buck and shouting hateful things at him. Teaspoon tried to get out of the pew that he and the ladies were sitting in. He made sure that Sarah and Rachel were out of the way and then he stepped towards the aisle.

Jimmy had moved towards Teaspoon and stood in the middle of the angry crowd with him. He had lost all sight of Buck. It seemed that a small riot had broken out. People were still throwing insults and books.

“It ain’t rite! He don’t even believe in out God! Why is he here?”

“Yeah! If he belived in our God then he wouldn’t be out murderin’ and scalpin’ people!”

“I ain’t never scalped no one! I ain’t never hurt any of you in this here town!”

“Dirty, filthy savage!”

Several men advanced on Buck. One grabbed him by the arms, pulling his head back by the hair. “Let’s string him up!”

“Yeah, let’s make an example outta him! Then maybe them savages won’t be comin’ round here no more!”

“A fore you do that, I have a score to settle.” Harvey Smith hurried towards Buck. Before he knew what was coming, the man had landed a punch to Buck’s jaw. “That’s for killin’ my family!”

Buck didn’t even know what the man was talking about. He didn’t stop with just one punch. He was swinging blows to his middle while the other two men held him tight. Buck was scared, but he wasn’t about to let it be known. He knew that was what these people wanted from him.

Sarah couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She had seen Melissa run from the church in tears, and she hadn’t been able to go to her. Now here they were beating up poor Buck for things that weren’t even his fault! Teaspoon and Jimmy were trying to calm everyone down, but there were so many of them. Sarah knew that she had to do something to help Buck.

Quickly, she picked up her skirts and climbed over the pew in front of her. Teaspoon caught a glimpse of her as she jumped over one pew and then another. He knew where she was headed.

Reaching the front, she jumped on the back of the man that had been pounding away at Buck. “Stop! Stop it right now! You have no right to treat him this way!” She was pounding on his back with her fists.

The startled man turned around and pulled her from his back as if she weighed no more than a feather. “What have we got here? Another Indian lover? You sharin’ him with your friend?”

Sarah was caught in a tight hold. Arms were around her waist like a steel band. She kicked to gain her freedom, cursing the man with every breath she took. The others were holding a nearly limp Buck and laughing as Sarah struggled in the man’s arms.

“Jimmy, I think you best git to Miss Sarah.” Teaspoon pointed her direction and Jimmy saw red. How had she gotten up there? And how dare Harvey Smith lay his filthy hands on her. He rushed through the crowd, shoving and pushing them aside like an angry bull!

“I bet she’s a lively little thing in bed Harvey! Maybe you should forgit bout avengin’ your family and take it out on her! Be more fun I’d say!”

Harvey grinned. “Yous jist mite be rite! Think I’ll carry her out a here and try her out!”

“When you gits through with her, bring her back. Give us a turn!”

Several “Yeahs” were heard from the other men. Harvey turned and started to carry Sarah out over his shoulder. Jimmy was only a few inches from them now. Sarah was still kicking and clawing at his back. She couldn’t believe that this man was doing this. What in the world was he in church for anyway, if he acted like this!

Jimmy was in front of the man in seconds. His gun pointed directly at the man’s heart. “I don’t think you’re a gonna take the little lady any where. Now put her down nice and easy like!”

“You want a piece a her too son? Well I’ll share!” The man grinned at him and Jimmy cocked the gun.

“Well I don’t share! Now put here down or I’m gonna blow a hole clean through you so big that the wind can whistle for a month of Sunday’s!”

Harvey stood looking at Jimmy for several seconds. “I said, put her down!” His tone told him he wasn’t playing.

Sarah had gone perfectly still. She wasn’t sure the man was going to let her go. Would Jimmy really shoot him? Luckily she didn’t have to find out. Harvey sat her down on the floor, and backed away. “Okay mister…you win!”

About then, Buck came alive. The two men that were holding him had been watching Harvey and the girl. Buck grabbed them both by the wrists and swung their unsuspecting bodies into one another. They lost their footing by not paying attention and their heads cracked together loudly. They fell to the floor with a thud, out cold.

Sarah mean while, had fallen into Jimmy’s arms. He held her close for a moment, then whispered, “You okay?” Jimmy was still watching the man as he headed for the door. Finally he looked down into her face.

“Yes, thanks to you.” She gave him a weak smile. Then she turned and looked towards Buck. He was standing over the two men that had been holding him. Sarah was surprised. Just then Teaspoon fired his gun into the air several times.

“Unless you folks have a mind to want to spend some time in jail for disturbing the peace, I suggest that you all jist calm down!” He glanced over at Jimmy, Sarah and Buck. “Are you all right?” They all nodded as Buck leaned down to pick up his hat.

Teaspoon looked once more at the people standing in the aisles and in the pews. “I ain’t got no idea what has gotten into you folks. But I’d be a mite ashamed if’n I was you. This ain’t no way to act in God’s house! It ain’t very Christian like! What are you even here for?”

“We know what we’re here for…what we want to know is what he’s here for!” The man doing the talking pointed a finger at Buck!

“It makes no difference what he’s here for. This is God’s house. Unless I’m mistaken, and correct me if I’m wrong Reverend Johnson, everyone is supposed to be welcome!” The reverend nodded in agreement.

“Well, ain’t no savage welcomed here with us! Nor his squaw neither!”

“Yeah, git out you filthy, no good…”

“THAT IS ENOUGH!” Teaspoon yelled at the top of his lungs.

“It’s all rite Teaspoon.” Buck had stepped up beside him. “I wouldn’t come back here if’n it was the last place on the face a the earth! And it will be even longer a fore I help any of you in this town, with anything!” At that he turned and stomped out of the side door of the church, his hat still in his hands.

Teaspoon watched him go. “For people who claim to be Christians, you shore ain’t got no idea how you is ‘possed to act! How many times has Reverend Johnson preached on lovin’ thy neighbor? Ain’t none a you paid it no ‘ttention? I ain’t the most perfect man in this here town, but at least I treat folks decent! It don’t make no difference what color his skin is. I’ll call him friend til he gives me a reason to believe other wise! Buck Cross ain’t never hurt no one in this here town. He cain’t help how he was born! Jist like none a yous can! He’s one of the most trustin’ men I know in these here parts, but thanks to your behavior here today, you’ll never know it. And I ain’t a blamin’ him one bit! Savages? He ain’t no savage…yous is the savages! I ain’t never seen church folks act like yous did here today! Come on, let’s git home. I ain’t of a mind to stay among these here so called Christians any longer!” He reached for Rachel’s elbow and headed for the door. Jimmy and Sarah followed.

Melissa had rushed from the church in tears. Her cheek throbbing. Jumping into the wagon, she had rushed off down the road, not paying any attention to where she was going. All she knew was that she had to get away from the church.

Never in her wildest dreams had she thought that people could act that way. Poor Buck. She had nearly begged him to attend the services, and look what it had gotten him. This was all her fault. She wiped the tears from her face, and slapped the reins on the back of the horse.

How would she ever face those people again? She would have to give up being organist. The choir. There was no way that those people were going to let their children associate with her. But that was fine. She would find something else to do.

She knew that those fine, up standing people would have not batted an eye if she had been seeing a white man! Who gave them the right to dictate her life? To tell her who to see, who to fall in love with? She wasn’t about to let them try and live her life for her. It just wasn’t right. She would just pack her things and leave! However, she knew as soon as that thought entered her head, that she couldn’t go through with it. Buck was here. She didn’t care what those uppity people thought, she cared for him and they weren’t gonna change her feelings none!

The horse drew near Sarah’s ranch. Melissa hadn’t been paying attention where she was headed. She’d let the horse have the lead and this was where he had brought her.

Melissa wiped her eyes and slowed the wagon. For a moment she sat still looking out over the hills behind the house. It was so beautiful here. God made all this. He made people too. Why couldn’t they love one another like he wanted them to? She sighed. Her cheek was throbbing worse. She best unhitch the wagon and put something on it. She would think more about how to handle this later.

Buck had jumped on his horse and ridden in the opposite direction when he had left the church, his hatred burning bright for those people he had left behind. How could they treat Melissa so cruelly? It wasn’t himself that he worried about. He had been through this so many times that he knew that it shouldn’t even bother him. But he wasn’t being honest with himself if he said it meant nothing. He hurt. His pride was bruised. Would he never be accepted in the white man’s world? He didn’t want to live in the Indian world. That didn’t leave him anything. How was he going to have a future with Melissa if he wasn’t accepted in her world?

His horse slowed, and he found himself at the waterfall. Slipping off its back, he let the horse wander a little ways to graze. He sat down slowly on the rocks. His head rested on his knees.

What if Melissa left? He knew that she loved playing the organ and helping the children. What if she decided that she didn’t want to live any longer in Rock Creek? What would he do? How would she feel about going back to the church after what happened this morning?

Maybe he should stop seeing her. Her reputation was ruined. None of those people would ever accept her again! But how would he live without seeing her every day? She was coming to mean too much to him not see her.

He never should have gone. He should have listened to Jimmy. He’d wanted to see her play so badly. She was his lady. Why shouldn’t he be allowed to go to the services? Join in with the people there? He lived in this town like everyone else did. He belonged here too!

“Because you’re different from those people!”

The voice entered his head and he looked around. The words hadn’t actually been spoken aloud. He looked behind him. There was no one there. His heart began to pound. Were the spirits talking to him? Looking back towards the waterfall, he saw her…the old woman that had appeared to him before. This was Melissa’s grandmother. He boldly looked straight at her, letting her know that he wasn’t afraid.

“What have you come to tell me wise one?”

“Melissa would be happy in either world. It will not matter to her if you are not accepted into her world. She was once a part of the Indian world when I walked the path of the living. She could live happily there.”

“But I don’t know if I can.” Buck looked down at his feet.

“Then you must work towards gaining what you want here, in the white man’s world. Your future is with Melissa!”

With those words she was gone. Looking down, an eagle feather lay beside him. Well there was his answer. If he was to believe anything, it had to be the spirit world. But just how was he going to make it all work?

Teaspoon, Rachel, Jimmy, and Sarah walked back towards the station. Jimmy had stopped to collect his horse and noticed that Buck’s was no where to be seen.

“I guess Melissa took the wagon and went back to the ranch. I hope she’s all right,” Sarah stated with a worried frown between her eyes.

“Buck’s gone too. Guess they both needed to work this all out in their heads,” Teaspoon observed.

“I’m sure that they’ll both be fine.” Rachel smiled towards Sarah trying to reassure her. “Jimmy can take you back to the ranch after lunch. If she isn’t there we’ll get some help together and go looking for her.”

“Thanks. Maybe I should go back now.” Sarah looked worried.

“There’s plenty to eat. Let Melissa have a little time to herself. I’m shore she needs to decide what she aims to do now bout playin’ at the church. If’n I was her, I wouldn’t set foot inside that church again. But I guess that ain’t the Christian way neither!” Rachel told her.

Sarah shook her head. “I know. It’s hard to know what to do. I was afraid something was going to happen. The people started whispering around behind their hands the day of the Harvest Celebration. Why do people act that way? Grown people. Throwing books and hitting innocent people. Calling people nasty names and beating them up just because they’re different?”

“People are afraid of what they don’t know,” Rachel looked her way.

“They’re a feared of anyone or anythin’ that’s not like them. It’s always been that way I guess,” Teaspoon said.

“I hope Buck is okay.”

“He ought to be the way you took after those men that was a poundin’ on him!” Teaspoon laughed. “I ain’t never seed a lady jump them there pews the way you did! I woudn’t mind you comin’ to my rescue!”

Sarah blushed. I wasn’t thinking about how I looked. I knew you and Jimmy had your hands full with the crowd. They could have really hurt him!”

“But they didn’t. We got ‘em stopped jist in time.” Jimmy squeezed her up close to his side. He was proud of her…even if she had scared him half to death when Harvey had tried to carry her out of the church.

“Miss Sarah, don’t worry none bout Buck. He’s gotten through things like this a fore. He’ll git through it this time too.” Teaspoon patted her arm as they neared the station. Sarah just hoped that he was right. She hoped Melissa was all right too.

After the four of them had left the church, the congregation began to slowly sit back down. The church was a shambles. Books were thrown everywhere. Bibles were standing on their ends in the middle of the aisles. Reverend Johnson stood quietly looking from one face to another. When they had all taken a seat again, he walked to the pulpit, turned his back on them and bowed his head in prayer.

“Lord forgive them. For they know not what they do!”

He turned once more towards his flock. “I have never been so ashamed of anyone or anything as I am right now. Your behavior here this morning has been most unchristian like. You should all spend the next few days in prayer asking the good Lord to forgive you such foolishness. Not only did you condemn a man just because he came to church services, because he is different than you…but you condemned an innocent woman who is the best thing that has happened to this congregation in a long time! Melissa Crawford can play that organ like no other in this town. And look what she has done with our children. They sang so beautifully at the Harvest Celebration. How can you push her out just because she becomes friends with someone in town who is different than we are?”

“But Reverend Johnson, he is different! That’s why we don’t want him here!”

“Did the good Lord ever turn anyone away when he walked among us on this earth? People with sickness, slaves, the poor, the homeless? Of course not! And he would be very ashamed of you all for doing it here today!”

“Are we supposed to accept Buck Cross, a savage? He ain’t a white man?”

“But he isn’t totally Indian either!”

“It ain’t right Miss Crawford runs around after him Reverend!” A woman stood up holding a baby in her arms.

“It ain’t right to tell a grown woman who she can keep friends with! Or fall in love with for that matter.”

“Fall in love with?” Another woman gasped. “With a savage?”

“I would say Mrs. Howard, that we here are more savage than Buck Cross has ever thought of being!”

“You’re on his side…. jist like Marshall Hunter!”

“The only side I’m on is the Lord’s. And he tells us that we ware to accept everyone. No matter how different we are from one another!”

“Reverend Johnson is right. We shouldn’t have treated Miss Crawford that way.”

“Do you think she’ll come back and work with our children? My Sarah loved singing the other day at the Harvest Celebration.”

“So did my daughter.”

Reverend Johnson smiled. At least they were beginning to realize they had been wrong. “I’ll go and talk with her. Let her know that she is welcomed here with us in the Lord’s house.”

“What if’n she brings that savage back here again?”

“The Christian way, Mr. Walker, is that everyone is welcomed in the Lord’s house! Though I don’t think you will see Buck Cross here again. Not after the vile way he was treated. He is Miss Crawford’s friend. Should she invite him to come again, I will not have any of you creating a disturbance like was had here today. If that is the way that you continue to act, it is time that you find another minister to lead you. I have failed in my obligations to the Lord if we can’t get along no better than this!”

The members fell silent thinking about what Reverend Johnson had said. Most of them knew that he was right. He dismissed the congregation, hope against hope that he had reached a few of them.

Melissa was sitting in the swing when Jimmy and Sarah rode up. Jimmy handed her down from the horse and Sarah hurried up the steps to her friend. “Are you all right?” She reached for her hand, and noticed the ugly bruise on the side of her face where the book had struck her.

“I’m fine.” Her voice was low, as if all the fire had gone out of her.

“Melissa, Rachel sent you some lunch.” Jimmy carried the package up the steps and handed it to her.

“Thank you Jimmy.”

He sat down on the side of the porch. “It will all work out Melissa. By next Sunday them folks will have forgotten what went on there today.”

“I’m not so sure Jimmy.” She unwrapped the package and took a bite of fried chicken. It was delicious. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was. She and Sarah hadn’t eaten before they had left for church. “Have you seen Buck?”

“No. Jimmy seems to think that he rode out to his favorite place to think and decide what he wants to do about all this.” Sarah patted her hand. “I’m sure he’ll come to see you later on this afternoon.”

“Jimmy how many times has this happened to Buck?”

“Several. But you don’t git used to it. He usually passes it off after a few days. But since you were involved, it mite take a little longer. I tried to talk him out of comin’ this mornin’ but there weren’t no way he’d hear it.”

“It’s all my fault.” Melissa looked down at her hands.

“How’s that?” Sarah looked startled.

“I nearly begged him to come last night. If I hadn’t brought it up, he wouldn’t have been there this morning, and this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Melissa, it would have eventually happened anyway. The people have been whispering behind their hands for some time now. I had planned to say something to you before it got out of hand and someone said something out of the way to you. They have been watching you and Buck together for the last few weeks. It was coming to a head. Buck’s showing up this morning was the icing on the cake.”

“What am I supposed to do? Stop seeing him because he isn’t a white man? I don’t understand these people. I won’t stop seeing Buck just because they think it’s a sin! They can take their organ and throw it out the door for all I care. Buck is more important to me than playing music or directing the choir!”

Jimmy smiled as he realized that she was going to stand firm in what she believed in…and that apparently was Buck. “It will all work out Melissa. Wait and talk to Buck about it. Though the way he talks about your playin’ I ain’t so shore he’ll let you quit!”

“If it’s what I decide to do, he’ll have to let me now won’t he?”

Jimmy shook his head in agreement. But didn’t think she had a chance of convincing Buck. He already knew how much music meant to her.

Buck rode towards Sarah’s ranch mid afternoon. He felt some what better about things since thinking it through and having Melissa’s grandmother pay him another visit. He knew that she had been right. Deep inside, he knew that Melissa would be happy in either world. For now though, he knew that she needed to be in the white man’s world. Her music meant so much to her, and he wasn’t going to let her give up her dream. He kicked the horse into a gallop. He needed to see her…soon.

Sarah and Jimmy had spent most of the afternoon working with the horses. Melissa had assured them that she would be okay. She knew that they wanted to spend some time together.

Jimmy watched Sarah as she rode one of the many horses around the corral. Her mind definitely wasn’t on what she was doing.

“Sarah, SARAH!” Jimmy’s voice rose to get her attention. Her head snapped around as she looked his way. “Are you all right?” Jimmy looked concerned.

“What?” She looked startled that he was even there.

He went over and took the reins of the horse. Reaching up, he pulled her from the saddle. “Your mind ain’t on what you’re a doin’ lady! Git down a fore you git hurt!” She slipped down to stand in front of him. Looking up into his eyes, she saw a lot of concern.

“I’m sorry Jimmy. You’re right. All I keep thinking about is Buck and Melissa. It isn’t fair.”

“You’re right. It ain’t fair. But it’s how it is. I wish that I could change it for you…for them. But I cain’t. We cain’t. It’s gonna all work out.” He pulled her into his arms, and she rested her head on his chest. She sighed. She loved the feel of his arms around her. They were so strong. She found it hard to believe that there was something that he couldn’t do, fix or change.

Looking up, she felt his mouth moving closer to hers. She was well acquainted with the feel of those lips and her body began to anticipate those feelings. Her heart began to pound, and she knew that she would have liked to stay right there in his arms forever.

Melissa was still sitting in the swing when she noticed someone riding towards the ranch. She had been trying to read, but it was no use. Her mind just wasn’t on the book in her lap.

She stood up and moved to the steps of the porch. As the rider approached, she realized that it was Buck. A smile flew across her face, and her heart began its usual pounding that was ever present when he was near. She hurried down the steps and met him halfway across the yard.

Buck smiled as he saw Melissa running towards him. Slipping from the horse, he enfolded her in his arms. For several seconds they just stood there holding one another.

Buck finally stood back and looked down at her. He wasn’t surprised to see the ugly bruise on her cheek. His hand reached to caress it. There was a frown on his face. Are you all right?”

She shook her head in answer. Her bottom lip trembled as she looked up into his face. His face was bruised, his bottom lip swollen. Sarah and Jimmy had told her most of what had happened after she had left the church.

Buck’s heart constricted in pain. He hated the fact that he had put her through this. “I’m sorry Melissa. I never should have come to the service. I knowed what would happen but I wanted to hear you play so bad.”

“No, Buck. It was all my fault!’ She stepped away from him, her voice
raising a little as she spoke.

“Melissa there ain’t no way it could be your fault.”

“Yes there is. I never should have kept at you to come to the services. I was only thinking about myself…how much I wanted you to be there. I’m so sorry Buck!”

“Ah, Melissa, it weren’t your fault. Them people in that church ain’t got no idea what being Christian means. I know I ain’t got the same beliefs that they have, but I know the difference in how you treat someone.”

“I’m going to quit playing the organ on Sunday. I can’t go back in that church knowing what those people did to you!”

“Me? Look how they treated you. I’m used to this sort of thing. I’ve lost count of how many times it happened here and in Sweet Water. It will never change Melissa. No matter where I go, it will be the same. I ain’t nothin’ but a no good half-breed!”

Melissa stepped up to him, and reached to caress his face between her hands. “Not to me you aren’t! You are the sweetest, kindest man that I’ve ever met. You mean the world to me Buck Cross! I don’t care what they have to say. That doesn’t mean that I have to agree with it.”

Buck smiled and leaned near to caress her lips with his own. “I ain’t gonna let you quit being organist at the church!”

“Buck! I can’t go back in those doors!”

“Cain’t or won’t?” He looked down into her eyes. “You’ve dreamed of working with music all your life. Remember the story you shared with everyone at the cabin that night? Your father gave up his dream for you? I cain’t let you jist throw it all away.”

“But what makes you think that those people will let me back in their church?” Melissa walked away from him and stopped. Then she turned slowly to face him once more. “Do you think that those people are just going to forget what happened this morning?”

“It will pass Melissa. It always does. I wouldn’t be surprised if Reverend Johnson gave them all a stiff talking to once we left. He’ll probably be here a fore the day is over to be shore that you ain’t plannin’ to miss next Sunday!”

“Then he’ll be disappointed. I am not going back!”

“Melissa…” Buck started towards her and winced in pain. He’d forgotten how sore his ribs were from the pounding he’d taken in the church.

Melissa hurried over to him. “Are you all right?” She slipped an arm around his waist, and they walked slowly to the porch and sat down in the swing.

“I’ll be fine. Been hurt worse than this a fore!” He took her face in his hands and looked deep into her eyes. “I cain’t let you give this up. Think ‘bout those children you was workin’ with. They need you. You was so good with ‘em!”

Melissa looked down at her hands. She thought of the children with longing. She had to admit that it was one of her favorite parts of working at the church. They were so wonderful. How could she give them up? “But Buck, it isn’t fair to you if I go back!”

“What do you mean it ain’t fair to me?”

“They aren’t treating you fairly.”

“But Melissa, this is the way they’ve always treated me. Don’t let ‘em know that they hurt you! Don’t let ‘em run you off! Hold your head up high and fight back! You have too much talent to let them turn you away!”

“Then why don’t you fight back?” She felt tears in her eyes as she saw the pain go across his features.

“I’ve tried. Like I done said, it won’t never change. I’ve accepted things this way. Now you need to brush this one happenin’ off and go on.”

“But they expect me to give up the relationship that I have with you. I won’t do that!”

He just smiled and held her a little tighter. He just hoped that everything he had said was true. He knew that most of the people in Rock Creek passed things off after they happened. Or he mostly stayed out of their way. Would it be the same with Melissa? He didn’t want to give her up. Would they forget, or would they keep after her about seeing him?

It was nearing five o’clock. Buck and Jimmy had ridden back to the station. Melissa and Sarah were doing the chores, getting things settled for the night, when Sarah noticed a rider approaching from the direction of town.

“Wonder who our visitor is this time?” She couldn’t make out the features. They were in a buggy.

Both ladies walked to the front of the house as the buggy drew nearer. They were rather surprised to find Reverend Johnson.

“Reverend,” Sarah smiled tightly in his direction. She wondered what he was there for. She knew that Melissa had been through enough for one day. She hoped that he wasn’t there to start it all over again.

“Miss Sarah. Miss Melissa.” He tipped his hat, and sat looking at them from the buggy. Neither of the ladies invited him to step down. He cleared his throat. “I realize this is a rather awkward situation, but I’d like to speak with you, Miss Melissa, if you have the time.”

Sarah glanced at her, and saw the look of dread go across her face. “Only if this isn’t going to be more of what went on this morning Reverend.” Sarah looked at him, knowing that she would send him on his way, man of God or not, if he started in on her friend.

“I assure you, Miss Sarah, I haven’t come here for that. I’ve come to apologize.” Both ladies looked startled.

“Then come join us on the porch Reverend.” Melissa motioned in that direction, and he thanked them.

Once they were seated, he looked over at Melissa. “I realize what happened this morning never should have. I’m sorry about the bruise on your face, but I realize that doesn’t change things. It still happened…”

“Does your apology come from you alone, or does it include the congregation as well?” Melissa looked in his direction.

“Because Reverend, if it comes from you alone, you are wasting your time being here!” Sarah gave him a fixed look.

“After you left the church this morning, I had a long chat with my flock. I hope that I have gotten through to them. They seemed very ashamed that they had treated you with such disrespect. They would like for you to come back and continue with the children’s choir and with the music for our services on Sunday. That is if you can find it in your heart to forgive them for what they’ve done.”

“Reverend, I’m not so sure that I should forgive them. Are they prepared to accept Buck Cross as a part of them?” She gave him a look that said she was very sincere, and he swallowed quickly. Somehow he had known that this item would come up in their conversation.

“Well Melissa, I’m not sure that would be possible.”

“Then don’t ever expect me to set foot back in that church again. If it’s not possible for them to accept him, then it’s not possible for me to come back.”

Sarah was proud of Melissa for holding her ground. She already knew how much Buck meant to her friend. Reverend Johnson was about to find out also.

“Melissa, that isn’t very Christian like!”

“Isn’t Christian like? Do you mean to tell me that treating someone as an out cast just because he’s different, is Christian like?”

“Well of course not!”

“But that is what you are implying Reverend. Buck Cross is very dear to me. No one in your congregation has the right to tell me who my friends are in this town. And if I want them to come and share the services with me, they have no right to tell them they aren’t welcome. Everyone is supposed to be welcome in God’s house!”

“I totally agree with you Melissa! I also tried to tell the good people of the congregation that was exactly how I felt and they should be ashamed if the way they acted. I think that I soothed their ruffled feathers enough that they realized it would be a great loss if you weren’t to come back next Sunday and play for us. And even greater loss if you refused to work with the children. They really enjoy singing. No one has ever taken such an interest in them alone! They feel important now that you have arrived!”

“But Reverend Johnson that still doesn’t give them the right to do as they have done. They should apologize to Buck as well. Not to just Melissa.”

“But Sarah, you will never get that from those people. I hate to say it of my own flock, but they are stubborn and pig headed! They don’t mean to be that way. It’s just that they are afraid. There are so many Indian uprisings right now that they are afraid of anyone that thinks, looks, or acts Indian. That is why they shun Buck Cross. I don’t know that things will ever be any different for him in this town. But for now, the good people have realized, or I should say the majority realize that they were wrong this morning. There will always be a few of them that feel you are wrong in seeing Buck and inviting him to join their services.”

“But it just isn’t right!” Melissa looked downcast.

“My dear, I sympathize with the way you feel. I know that you have been keeping company with Buck Cross. As you have stated, it isn’t my place to tell you what is right or wrong. But now that I have the people of the congregation calmed down somewhat, why don’t you come back Sunday and play for the service. Go tonight at six o’clock for the children’s practice, and see just how many of them show up. Take things one day at a time. I’m sure that the people will come round in time. They’ll see that Buck means them no harm, and that you haven’t changed any because you are seeing him.”

Sarah could tell that Melissa wasn’t satisfied with any of this. But there wasn’t much that she would do about it. “Melissa, perhaps the Reverend is right. Maybe you should not let them know that you are upset about what went on this morning and let them know that you are going to stand in your feelings for Buck. The only way that they will know, is if you return. If you don’t, they’ll feel as if they’ve won the battle, and it will never change things for Buck! Perhaps they will accept him if you continue to see him, and also continue to be a part of the church! It might be worth a try!”

Melissa was silent for a moment, thinking about what Sarah had just suggested. Buck had already told her that he didn’t want her to quit being organist. She really did love it. It had been her dream.

“Okay Reverend Johnson. I’ll try it once more. But if any of those people say anything else to me about Buck, then I won’t be back!”

The Reverend smiled broadly. “Thank you Melissa! I’m sure that you won’t regret it.”

He reached to shake her hand and she nearly whispered, “I certainly hope not!” Then she smiled too.

The Reverend was soon on his way, and Melissa stood watching his buggy disappear over the hill back towards town.

“Something still bothering you?” Sarah was standing by her side.

“I just have an uneasy feeling still about all of this..like it isn’t over yet. And the bad part is, I am afraid that it will have a big impact on mine and Buck's relationship.”

“But he’s okay with everything isn’t he? You told me that the two of you talked it out, and he wants you to continue playing at the church.”

“Yes, but that nagging feeling is still there!”

Sarah slipped her arm around Melissa’s shoulders. “Don’t worry so about it. It will all work out! Grandmother Running Doe said so!”

That evening after supper, Buck had walked out onto the porch. Teaspoon followed, wanting to make sure that he was okay. He had been awfully quiet since coming back to the station.

“Son, is you okay?” Teaspoon laid a hand on his shoulder. “If’n you want to talk ‘bout it, you knows I’d listen.”

Buck had been looking out over the hills. He turned to glance at Teaspoon.
“There ain’t much to say Teaspoon. I should a knowed better than to go to that church service this mornin’. But I jist had to go. Melissa had asked me and asked me to come, and when she asked again last nite, I knew that I jist had to go.”

“Them women folk can shore make us men folk do some crazy things!” He smiled as he patted Buck on the back. “It will pass son. Jist like all them other times has.”

“I know. But I’m worried ‘bout Melissa.”

“She’s a strong woman Buck. There ain’t no cause to worry none ‘bout her.”

“But she wants to quit playin’ at the church, an I ain’t ‘bout to let her!”

“Son if’n that’s what she wants, how you gonna stop her?”

“I don’t want her to quit playing on a count a me! This has been her dream for as long as she can remember. I don’t want to crush that dream for her! There ain’t too many out there!”

“Buck, did ya ever think that dreams mite change for a person? I mean, shore playin’ the organ was her dream when she came here, but then she met you. Mite be that her dreams has changed some what. Mite be that playin’ that music ain’t as important to her as it once was! There comes a time in our lives that we make a decision. We change what is important in our lives. It’s time the two a yous was makin’ them changes! The two a yous need one ‘nother. Time you was a thinkin’ a settlin’ down, raisin’ a family!”

“I ain’t shore Teaspoon.”

“I knows you care ‘bout Miss Melissa. I seed it in your eyes many times.”

Buck smiled. “Yeah, I do. ‘Cept I ain’t so shore what the future holds.”

“None a us knows son. But I think the future holds somethin’ real brite for the two a yous!”

“I hope so Teaspoon. I shore hope so!”

Melissa thought that it was a stupid idea to go to the church that evening for the children’s choir practice. She just had this feeling that no one was going to show up. Sarah talked her into going and finding out.

As she entered the church, everything that had happened that morning came rushing back to her. She lightly brushed a hand across the bruise on her cheek. She wished that it hadn’t happened, but it had. All of it.

With a sigh, she opened the stool in the front of the organ and pulled out some music. For a little while she sat playing, trying to forget the awful things that the people had said to her. Slowly the tension began to slip away.

She didn’t hear the first child slip into the church. Soon there was a second and a third. Before long, there were two whole rows of children standing to Melissa’s right. She finished playing one hymn and immediately started in on another. It happened to be one of the songs that she had recently taught the children. Suddenly they were singing at the top of their lungs.

Melissa was startled. Looking over, she was very surprised to see them all standing there with smiles on their faces. She had almost stopped playing when she had first heard them singing along with the music. She quickly picked back up and they sang along to the end. When they finished she got up from the bench and walked over to where they were standing. There were tears in her eyes. She couldn’t believe that they were really there!

In seconds, the entire group had encircled her, giving her hugs. They all laughed together. A sort of peacefulness settled over her. She knew that being involved with these children was what she needed to be doing. Before long, they were practicing as usual!

That night, Melissa’s grandmother visited her. Melissa had just gone to bed, when she felt her presence. She turned, looking over her shoulder, and saw her sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Grandmother Running Doe was proud of granddaughter this afternoon and evening. Strong. Not let them know how hurt you were at what happened in the white man’s church.”

“But it did hurt grandmother.”

“I know. But it will soon be forgotten. Do not fret over it. The dark one, he knows that you are special to him. Soon things will change between you. Grow more special to him. Soon see…” With that she faded away. Melissa sighed. She hoped she was right.

The following week started out as any other. Monday dawned clear and warm. Neither Sarah nor Melissa could seem to get their minds on what they needed to get done.

“What’s wrong with us? If I didn’t know it was nearly fall, I’d say we had Spring Fever!”

Sarah laughed. “Does sort of feel that way, doesn’t it?”

They were both standing at the corral fence just watching the horses. “It’s so warm. So beautiful today. I just can’t see us spending the day doing boring chores!”

Sarah smiled as she looked towards her friend. “What’s say you and I pack a picnic lunch, ride into town to the station, and get our two favorite men. You keep talking about the waterfall where you and Buck met that first day. I’d love to see it! And since the leaves are turning colors, I bet it would be beautiful there. Let’s go enjoy one of the last days of summer. It’s nearly gone!”

Melissa liked that idea. “You, my friend, are on!”

They started for the house, planning what they would pack for their lunch. Both in a hurry to see Jimmy and Buck!

At the station, Teaspoon had finally given up on getting the boys to do any work! It was a beautiful Indian summer day and none of them had working on their minds.

“Don’t know what got into them boys!” Teaspoon was pouring himself another cup of coffee, and Rachel just smiled.

“Ah, let them enjoy one of the last few warm day we’re gonna have. Fall and winter will soon be here. Give them the day off for a change!”

“Well, I guess it won’t hurt none…jist this once!”

“Buck and Jimmy will probably end up at Sarah’s before the day is over.”

“Young love…ah I remember it well!” Teaspoon smiled that secret smile of his and it was all Rachel could do not to laugh out loud.

Sarah and Melissa soon had the picnic basket packed, had grabbed two quilts, and were riding out towards town. They both felt very good as they neared the station. This would be a beautiful day.

Jimmy, Noah, and Buck were sitting on the porch of the bunkhouse when they spotted a buckboard headed their way.

“Wonder who that could be?” Noah strained his eyes to make out the forms.

“Looks like Sarah…” Jimmy stood up, shielding his eyes from the sun.

“And Melissa…” Buck stood up also.

Sarah drew the buckboard along side the bunkhouse. “Would you look at that Melissa, seems I know some others who aren’t in the mood to work today either!” They laughed and Buck and Jimmy shook their heads.

“It’s too pruddy to work! What’s up with you two lovely ladies?” Jimmy had walked over to stand beside Sarah.

“We thought since it was a lovely day, we’d pack a picnic and ride out to the waterfall. I’ve wanted to see it ever since Melissa mentioned it. Would you two fine gentlemen care to join us?”

Buck glanced towards Jimmy. “Think we can git away with it? Teaspoon’s been after us all mornin’ to git to work on that corral fence!”

“Umm, I ain’t so shore we should go Buck!” Jimmy seemed to be pondering the question and Sarah shot Melissa a look.

Buck knew that Jimmy was kidding. He knew that he wanted to go along as much as he did.

“Well, that’s okay gents. I’m sure Melissa and I can find two other gentlemen who would like to spend the day with us!” As she started to slap the reins on the horses’ back, Jimmy reached up to grab them.

“Hold on there…you two ain;t goin’ lookin’ fer no other men! Are they Buck?”

“Nope!” Buck had already jumped up on the back of the buckboard and was leaning near to kiss Melissa lightly on the neck. She giggled and playfully slapped him away.

Jimmy did the same as Buck and turned towards Noah. “Tell Teaspoon…”

Noah grinned. “That the four of you will be back in time for supper.”

“Sounds good to me!” Sarah grinned as she slapped the reins and turned the buckboard around in the yard. They were off.

CONTINUED…….

COPYRIGHT 2004 M BOLTON & R WOOTEN

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