Forever Yours Faithfully
* Written by Shauna, Karen, Maria and Dani on the Buck Stop message board
Chapter One
The Sturgis family moved to Rock Creek six months ago. Shane and Anna Sturgis had two children Zander who was thirteen and Elizabeth who was eighteen. They had bought a farm on the edge of town, but it wasn’t doing well. Shane was hurt in a fall from the hayloft the second month they were there. Anna did what she could. She took in washing and sewing for other families but that brought in only a fraction of what they needed. It was up to Zander to see the chores got done before and after school while also getting his school work finished. Elizabeth took it upon herself to try to get a job in town. She knew she had no prospects of a husband because she took after her father in height. She was taller than most people. She figured herself to be about 5” 9’ or 5”10’. She was slim and had long blonde hair that looked like corn silk and had dark blue eyes. She knew a man wouldn’t want a wife that tall. So, she was set to become a spinster. But if she was to become a spinster, she would help her family with the cost of the farm as much as she could. She set out at seven o'clock on a brisk morning in March to go about asking shopkeepers if they needed help. It was eleven o'clock in the morning and she had no luck, but she had one more place to go. Tompkins store. She knew she very likely had no chance of getting a job there. One thing you could say about Elizabeth Sturgis was that when she was determined to do something, she did it.
Elizabeth walked into Tompkins store and was struck dumb by the man who stood in front of her. He was about her height with gorgeous chocolate colored eyes and long dark brown hair that shone like silk and the most intriguing smile she had ever seen. She saw he had a deputy badge on the lapel of his coat. She knew that his name was Buck from what her father said about the law in town not having very good help. He was talking to a man about his age with light brown curly hair and blue eyes who was also a deputy. She knew that this man was named Kid because he had met her father at the marshal’s office when they moved to Rock Creek. Elizabeth didn’t know them personally and was usually shy, but when she looked at Buck, she wanted to get to know him better. She got her wits about her and gathered herself together and walked up to Mr. Tompkins and asked, “Excuse me, Sir, but may I have a moment of your time?”
Tompkins replied. “I’ll be right with you, Ma’am” He turned to the two men and said “Your order is ready to be loaded. Do you think you can get it in by yourself, or must I help?”
When he was told they could manage, Tompkins went to Elizabeth and asked, “Now, how can I help you?”
Elizabeth got up her courage and asked “Would you happen to have any work I could do? My father has been injured, and the family needs some extra income.”
Mr. Tompkins rudely replied, “The only job I have open is clerk, and that ain’t a job for no girl; especially one I barely know. Why you’ve only been in here a few times before today. If there’s nothing else go away; I’ve got paying customers to tend to.”
Elizabeth was so upset that she looked like she was going to cry. Kid had heard the conversation between Elizabeth and Mr. Tompkins and approached her “Excuse me, Miss. I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation with Mr. Tompkins. I was wondering if I could possibly interest you in a job. My wife is expecting our second child, and she’s been order to stay in bed for the next few months. I sure could use some live-in help around the house.” He smiled as he explained. “We have a son named Noah James, he’s three and a real hand-full. Also, since I’m in town working with the marshal the cooking and cleaning needs tending to. We’d be ever so grateful if you’d consider moving in until after the baby arrives.”
Elizabeth was stunned by the job offer. “I’ll have to talk to my parents first since it would involve moving into your home, Mr. …”
“McCloud,” replied Kid. “My wife Louise and I live just a way’s out of town. We run a horse ranch at the old Pony Express Station. Buck there,” he pointed to where Buck stood watching the two of them, “is our partner, but he’s also in town helping the marshal a good deal of the time. Between town and the horses, neither of us has much time to keep the house like Louise would like it.”
Elizabeth smiled as she took in this information. “Like I said, I’ll have to discuss the situation with my parents first. Would you mind riding out to my family's farm so they can meet you properly and explain what I would be doing for your family.”
Kid smiled and said "Sure that'll be no trouble." He turned to Buck and asked if he could handle the supplies. Buck just nodded his head.
As she left the store, she couldn’t help but notice Buck staring at her. Elizabeth figured that it was because she was very tall and he had never seen a woman so tall. So, she brushed it off and they went to her family’s farm.
Shane Sturgis eyed the young deputy who held out his hand in greeting. He didn't take it, and finally Kid let his hand drop.
"What's your business out here Deputy? I can't imagine my girl gettin' into any trouble."
"No sir," Kid smiled his boyish grin. It usually put people at ease, but it didn't seem to be working on Elizabeth's father.
"He's offered me a job Papa." Elizabeth explained, allowing herself to feel some excitement at the idea.
"What kind of job?"
Kid explained his situation and told Elizabeth's parents that he desperately needed some help. Mrs. Sturgis smiled hopefully, but her husband remained stoic.
"You got room for her to stay with you?"
Kid nodded. "The ranch house is pretty big. She'd have her own room. I promise we'd take good care of her, and pay her well."
"Please think about it, Papa. We really need..."
"Your mother needs your help too." he grumbled. "Zander can't do all the chores."
"We need the money Shane." His wife interjected. She looked embarrassed to be discussing this in front of a stranger, but it was the truth.
Kid picked up his hat and started to take his leave. "If you folks need to time to think about it I can..."
"You still got that Indian out at your ranch?"
Kid stopped, surprised by the man's question.
"You mean Buck? Buck Cross?"
"I ain't gonna have my daughter livin' with no Indians."
"Papa!" Elizabeth couldn't believe what her father had said. If it was possible to die of embarrassment, she would have easily done so, right then.
Kid took a breath before speaking, in order to remain calm.
"Buck is my foreman, and my friend. There wouldn't be a ranch without him." Kid looked Mr. Sturgis in the eye and let his words sink in.
"If Buck bein' there is a problem, then maybe this isn't the best idea..."
"It's not a problem Mr. McCloud." Anna Sturgis came forward to speak to Kid. You must forgive my husband's rudeness. We've had a difficult, few months."
"I understand ma'am. So, have I. Now that Louise is havin' so much trouble, I don't know what we're gonna do. That's why I think we can help each other." He smiled again, and this time, the twinkle in his eye seemed to have the desired effect. Mr. Sturgis seemed to relax just a bit.
"When would she start?" he asked Kid.
"As soon as possible, but I realize..."
"We need a week to get ourselves together." the older man said.
Elizabeth held her breath, and felt herself blush with excitement. She knew this job was something she could do, and she had the feeling that this might be an important step in her life. Her father turned to look at her then, sighing in resignation.
"Well girl, looks like you got yourself a job."
Kid nodded. "I'll stop by the beginning of next week with the buckboard to pick up Elizabeth and her belongings. I cannot thank you enough for allowing her to assist us." He shook Mr. Sturgis' hand to seal the deal and turned to leave.
As he stepped off the porch, Mr. Sturgis stood and joined him. "I didn't mean to offend you earlier with my question about your foreman. It's just we seen some bad things on the way out here and I don't want my girl exposed to..."
Kid cut in, "You don't have to worry about that, Sir. Buck is a good man. He won't do anything to hurt your daughter. He's spent a good deal of his life living in our world." He turned to look at the man and said softly, yet with enough emotion to let Mr. Sturgis know he resented any implications about Buck. "He 'knows his place' if that's what you're worried about." With those words he bid the man good day and headed home to Louise and the work waiting him at the ranch.
Mrs. Sturgis joined her husband. "I'm glad you are allowing Elizabeth to work for him. He seems like a polite young man."
Her husband simply grunted. "It ain't him I'm worried about."
Anna rolled her eyes as she softly chuckled. "You don't need to worry about the other young man either. He's one of the nicest gentlemen I've had the pleasure of meeting; strong, quiet, polite, and slow to anger."
Shane turned to face his wife. "How would you know that?"
"I've had occasion to talk to him a couple of times in town. More often than not, in the midst of our conversation some rude passerby has made some ugly comment to him that he has just pretended he didn't hear. I could tell it hurt him, but he just let it pass by; unlike some other young man I know." She glanced at her son as she said this.
Elizabeth walked into Tompkins store and was struck dumb by the man who stood in front of her. He was about her height with gorgeous chocolate colored eyes and long dark brown hair that shone like silk and the most intriguing smile she had ever seen. She saw he had a deputy badge on the lapel of his coat. She knew that his name was Buck from what her father said about the law in town not having very good help. He was talking to a man about his age with light brown curly hair and blue eyes who was also a deputy. She knew that this man was named Kid because he had met her father at the marshal’s office when they moved to Rock Creek. Elizabeth didn’t know them personally and was usually shy, but when she looked at Buck, she wanted to get to know him better. She got her wits about her and gathered herself together and walked up to Mr. Tompkins and asked, “Excuse me, Sir, but may I have a moment of your time?”
Tompkins replied. “I’ll be right with you, Ma’am” He turned to the two men and said “Your order is ready to be loaded. Do you think you can get it in by yourself, or must I help?”
When he was told they could manage, Tompkins went to Elizabeth and asked, “Now, how can I help you?”
Elizabeth got up her courage and asked “Would you happen to have any work I could do? My father has been injured, and the family needs some extra income.”
Mr. Tompkins rudely replied, “The only job I have open is clerk, and that ain’t a job for no girl; especially one I barely know. Why you’ve only been in here a few times before today. If there’s nothing else go away; I’ve got paying customers to tend to.”
Elizabeth was so upset that she looked like she was going to cry. Kid had heard the conversation between Elizabeth and Mr. Tompkins and approached her “Excuse me, Miss. I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation with Mr. Tompkins. I was wondering if I could possibly interest you in a job. My wife is expecting our second child, and she’s been order to stay in bed for the next few months. I sure could use some live-in help around the house.” He smiled as he explained. “We have a son named Noah James, he’s three and a real hand-full. Also, since I’m in town working with the marshal the cooking and cleaning needs tending to. We’d be ever so grateful if you’d consider moving in until after the baby arrives.”
Elizabeth was stunned by the job offer. “I’ll have to talk to my parents first since it would involve moving into your home, Mr. …”
“McCloud,” replied Kid. “My wife Louise and I live just a way’s out of town. We run a horse ranch at the old Pony Express Station. Buck there,” he pointed to where Buck stood watching the two of them, “is our partner, but he’s also in town helping the marshal a good deal of the time. Between town and the horses, neither of us has much time to keep the house like Louise would like it.”
Elizabeth smiled as she took in this information. “Like I said, I’ll have to discuss the situation with my parents first. Would you mind riding out to my family's farm so they can meet you properly and explain what I would be doing for your family.”
Kid smiled and said "Sure that'll be no trouble." He turned to Buck and asked if he could handle the supplies. Buck just nodded his head.
As she left the store, she couldn’t help but notice Buck staring at her. Elizabeth figured that it was because she was very tall and he had never seen a woman so tall. So, she brushed it off and they went to her family’s farm.
Shane Sturgis eyed the young deputy who held out his hand in greeting. He didn't take it, and finally Kid let his hand drop.
"What's your business out here Deputy? I can't imagine my girl gettin' into any trouble."
"No sir," Kid smiled his boyish grin. It usually put people at ease, but it didn't seem to be working on Elizabeth's father.
"He's offered me a job Papa." Elizabeth explained, allowing herself to feel some excitement at the idea.
"What kind of job?"
Kid explained his situation and told Elizabeth's parents that he desperately needed some help. Mrs. Sturgis smiled hopefully, but her husband remained stoic.
"You got room for her to stay with you?"
Kid nodded. "The ranch house is pretty big. She'd have her own room. I promise we'd take good care of her, and pay her well."
"Please think about it, Papa. We really need..."
"Your mother needs your help too." he grumbled. "Zander can't do all the chores."
"We need the money Shane." His wife interjected. She looked embarrassed to be discussing this in front of a stranger, but it was the truth.
Kid picked up his hat and started to take his leave. "If you folks need to time to think about it I can..."
"You still got that Indian out at your ranch?"
Kid stopped, surprised by the man's question.
"You mean Buck? Buck Cross?"
"I ain't gonna have my daughter livin' with no Indians."
"Papa!" Elizabeth couldn't believe what her father had said. If it was possible to die of embarrassment, she would have easily done so, right then.
Kid took a breath before speaking, in order to remain calm.
"Buck is my foreman, and my friend. There wouldn't be a ranch without him." Kid looked Mr. Sturgis in the eye and let his words sink in.
"If Buck bein' there is a problem, then maybe this isn't the best idea..."
"It's not a problem Mr. McCloud." Anna Sturgis came forward to speak to Kid. You must forgive my husband's rudeness. We've had a difficult, few months."
"I understand ma'am. So, have I. Now that Louise is havin' so much trouble, I don't know what we're gonna do. That's why I think we can help each other." He smiled again, and this time, the twinkle in his eye seemed to have the desired effect. Mr. Sturgis seemed to relax just a bit.
"When would she start?" he asked Kid.
"As soon as possible, but I realize..."
"We need a week to get ourselves together." the older man said.
Elizabeth held her breath, and felt herself blush with excitement. She knew this job was something she could do, and she had the feeling that this might be an important step in her life. Her father turned to look at her then, sighing in resignation.
"Well girl, looks like you got yourself a job."
Kid nodded. "I'll stop by the beginning of next week with the buckboard to pick up Elizabeth and her belongings. I cannot thank you enough for allowing her to assist us." He shook Mr. Sturgis' hand to seal the deal and turned to leave.
As he stepped off the porch, Mr. Sturgis stood and joined him. "I didn't mean to offend you earlier with my question about your foreman. It's just we seen some bad things on the way out here and I don't want my girl exposed to..."
Kid cut in, "You don't have to worry about that, Sir. Buck is a good man. He won't do anything to hurt your daughter. He's spent a good deal of his life living in our world." He turned to look at the man and said softly, yet with enough emotion to let Mr. Sturgis know he resented any implications about Buck. "He 'knows his place' if that's what you're worried about." With those words he bid the man good day and headed home to Louise and the work waiting him at the ranch.
Mrs. Sturgis joined her husband. "I'm glad you are allowing Elizabeth to work for him. He seems like a polite young man."
Her husband simply grunted. "It ain't him I'm worried about."
Anna rolled her eyes as she softly chuckled. "You don't need to worry about the other young man either. He's one of the nicest gentlemen I've had the pleasure of meeting; strong, quiet, polite, and slow to anger."
Shane turned to face his wife. "How would you know that?"
"I've had occasion to talk to him a couple of times in town. More often than not, in the midst of our conversation some rude passerby has made some ugly comment to him that he has just pretended he didn't hear. I could tell it hurt him, but he just let it pass by; unlike some other young man I know." She glanced at her son as she said this.
Chapter Two
Elizabeth was so excited about going to work for the McCloud’s that she did all that needed to be done before she left in 4 days instead of the whole week her father had said would be needed to finish before she left the farm. On the night before she was to leave for the McCloud Cross Ranch. She was so excited she couldn’t stop talking about the job.
“Shut your flapping jaw girl or you won’t be going to no job!” Her father told her at supper.
Elizabeth immediately stopped jabbering and said “I’m sorry Papa. I’m just so excited.”
“Now help your Ma clean up these dishes and then straight to bed with you, understand?” Shane said with an authoritative voice.
Zander had sulked all through dinner and was now at the point to blow the lid off his quick temper. Shane said “Zander you got all those chores done yet or did a miracle happen.” Zander looked at his Pa and kept his anger in check and went to do his chores.
Little did Elizabeth know that Zander had a little surprise waiting for her when she opened her bag tomorrow at the McCloud’s. “She’ll get fired for sure after they see what’s in her carpet bag.” Zander said on his way out to the barn.
“Shut your flapping jaw girl or you won’t be going to no job!” Her father told her at supper.
Elizabeth immediately stopped jabbering and said “I’m sorry Papa. I’m just so excited.”
“Now help your Ma clean up these dishes and then straight to bed with you, understand?” Shane said with an authoritative voice.
Zander had sulked all through dinner and was now at the point to blow the lid off his quick temper. Shane said “Zander you got all those chores done yet or did a miracle happen.” Zander looked at his Pa and kept his anger in check and went to do his chores.
Little did Elizabeth know that Zander had a little surprise waiting for her when she opened her bag tomorrow at the McCloud’s. “She’ll get fired for sure after they see what’s in her carpet bag.” Zander said on his way out to the barn.
Chapter Three
The next morning bright and early Elizabeth was ready to go to the McCloud Cross Ranch. She had been packed for 2 days. Her nerves were all aflutter and she could barely sit still. Kid came at eight o'clock in the morning to pick up Elizabeth. She said a tearful farewell to her family. “I’ll see you as soon as I can. I love you.” She said as she waved good-bye.
Kid and Elizabeth arrived at the ranch and he introduced her to Buck, who was acting a little strange if you asked Kid. “Elizabeth Sturgis this is my partner and foreman Buck Cross.”
“Pleased to meet you Mr. Cross” Elizabeth said shyly.
“Please call me Buck, Miss Sturgis.” Buck asked Elizabeth.
“Yes, Buck, but you must call me Elizabeth” She replied.
Kid asked Elizabeth if she wanted the grand tour. Kid said “I’ll just put your bag in the hallway and we can look around.” It was around lunch time when they got back from touring the ranch. When they entered the house, they smelled a horrible odor.
“What’s that smell?’ Kid asked.
Buck said “It seems to be coming from your bag.”
Elizabeth opened her bag and was shocked to find two big cow pies on the top of her bag. She was infuriated. “I’m going to kill him.” she cried out. Kid and Buck were just looking at each other with quizzical looks on their faces.
When the cow pies had been disposed of Elizabeth explained to them why the manure was there. “It was my thirteen, year old brother Zander. He’s angry that I get to leave the farm and he has to stay and work most of it himself. I am so sorry. If you want me to leave, I understand.” She replied crestfallen. Both Kid and Buck just looked at each other and started laughing.
Kid managed to get out between laughs. “There’s no need for you to leave. We understand.”
She couldn't help but to look at Buck. He had the most amazing laughter. It was so honest and sincere and Elizabeth couldn't help, but to smile as well.
Kid and Elizabeth arrived at the ranch and he introduced her to Buck, who was acting a little strange if you asked Kid. “Elizabeth Sturgis this is my partner and foreman Buck Cross.”
“Pleased to meet you Mr. Cross” Elizabeth said shyly.
“Please call me Buck, Miss Sturgis.” Buck asked Elizabeth.
“Yes, Buck, but you must call me Elizabeth” She replied.
Kid asked Elizabeth if she wanted the grand tour. Kid said “I’ll just put your bag in the hallway and we can look around.” It was around lunch time when they got back from touring the ranch. When they entered the house, they smelled a horrible odor.
“What’s that smell?’ Kid asked.
Buck said “It seems to be coming from your bag.”
Elizabeth opened her bag and was shocked to find two big cow pies on the top of her bag. She was infuriated. “I’m going to kill him.” she cried out. Kid and Buck were just looking at each other with quizzical looks on their faces.
When the cow pies had been disposed of Elizabeth explained to them why the manure was there. “It was my thirteen, year old brother Zander. He’s angry that I get to leave the farm and he has to stay and work most of it himself. I am so sorry. If you want me to leave, I understand.” She replied crestfallen. Both Kid and Buck just looked at each other and started laughing.
Kid managed to get out between laughs. “There’s no need for you to leave. We understand.”
She couldn't help but to look at Buck. He had the most amazing laughter. It was so honest and sincere and Elizabeth couldn't help, but to smile as well.
Chapter Four
While Kid and Buck were quieting down from their fit of laughter, little Noah James came into the room rubbing his eye and sticking his bottom lip out. “Papa you and Uncle Buck woke me up.” Kid reached over and pulled Noah James onto his lap.
“I’m sorry little man. We were just talking to Miss Elizabeth here.” he replied. Noah James looked at Elizabeth and smiled. He then got off his father’s lap and went over to her and said. “You’re pretty.” Almost sensing that Buck was extremely nervous around Elizabeth. He turned and walked over to Buck and said “Isn’t she pretty Uncle Buck?” Buck’s face had gone pale and his mouth went instantly dry. All he could do was nod his head and turn bright red.
It was then that Buck decided he had to get out of there. “I umm have to go check on the horses. Nice talking to you Elizabeth.” Buck stood up and practically ran from the room.
Elizabeth said to his retreating back. “Nice meeting you Buck.” She said feeling very flushed.
Kid got up from his chair and picked up his son and said to Elizabeth “Now it’s time to meet the woman of the house.” As they walked up the stairs all Elizabeth could think of was how Buck had acted just minutes before. She didn’t understand why he was acting so strangely. When they got to the top of the stairs Elizabeth remembered that she was just about to meet Louise. Elizabeth was extremely nervous, but tried to keep her nerves in check. As she walked into the master bedroom Elizabeth tried to keep a smile on face. “Miss Elizabeth Sturgis this is my wife Louise. Lou this is the woman I told you about.”
Lou smiled at Elizabeth and put out her hand for her to shake it. “Welcome Elizabeth. It’s very nice to meet you.” Elizabeth took her hand and said
“I’m very pleased to meet you Mrs. McCloud.”
“Please call me Lou.”
Noah James climbed on the bed to sit next to his mother and said to her “She’s real pretty Mama. Can she stay and play with me?”
The adults smiled at the boy. Lou then told him. “Honey remember when I told you that Mama needs to stay in bed because your new brother or sister needs for Mama to rest all she can before he or she gets here.” Noah James nodded and Lou went on. “Miss Elizabeth is going to be taking care of the house and playing with you so Mama can rest. She will be staying for a while.”
Noah James looked at Elizabeth and cocked his head and said. “Can she play with me all I want.”
Lou smiled and replied “She sure can.” With that Noah James launched himself off the bed and into Elizabeth’s arms. When she caught him, she lost her balance and fell onto her backside with Noah James in her arms. The nervousness has been replaced by a room full of laughter. “I think you’re going to do fine here Elizabeth.” Lou exclaimed.
Although she knew her face was the color of crimson, Elizabeth nodded at Mrs. McCloud, and between her giggles and the giggles of the little boy, she replied. "Thank you, Mrs. McCloud, I think I will very much enjoy taking care of Noah James for you, and helping look after whatever you need me to. I was just so happy that anyone would actually allow me to work for them, and as of right now, I can't think of a more friendly atmosphere to be working in." she allowed Kid to help her up off the floor, all the while holding on to a very squirmy young man.
Lou smiled as she watched a bond between her son and this girl begin to develop almost suddenly, right before her eyes.
"Again, please call me Lou. I've never been much on formality with the people who live under my roof, or who've become my friends." Lou addressed the young lady, who had finally been able to calm Noah down.
"I'll try Mrs., I mean Lou. It's just that my Ma and Pa always taught us to be respectful to other people, but I'll try not to call you Mrs. McCloud, at least not too often." Elizabeth smiled shyly. Glancing down at her feet, which at this point seemed miles away, she mumbled. "Would it be alright if you called me Lizbeth, instead of Elizabeth, when we talk? You see, I always thought my name was hard to say when someone had to repeat it often. So, most of my friends just call me Lizbeth, just minus the first and third vowels. I find it's quicker, too. Just as long as my parents don't hear anyone call me by that name. They feel that since they gave me my name, I should be proud to have it." she looked at Lou, who seemed slightly confused. "Oh, I am proud of my name, and of who I am." Elizabeth quickly added. "I hope you understand, I'm not being disrespectful to my parents." She looked at Lou again, and asked. "Am I? Do you think that I'm showing disrespect by doing this?"
Lou grinned, and shook her head. "No, no I don't think you're being disrespectful at all." she was actually amazed and proud of the young lady who was close to her own age. "I feel that you are your own self, and that you have the right to make decisions about your life yourself, and this decision certainly isn't one that is going to damage your life one bit. But I can understand you not wanting to practice it when your parents are around, and I guarantee you, that as long as we can remember, we will be the only ones who will address you as Lizbeth, except for when your family visits, which I hope will be often."
"Mamaaaaa," Noah James wanted down on the bed with his mother. "I'm hungry." Elizabeth placed him beside Lou. His mother gave him a huge kiss on the forehead, and ruffled his curly hair.
"Go with Miss E...., Miss Lizbeth," she smiled at the girl. "and she will take you to your Papa, who, I believe, has a special surprise for you."
"That sounds exciting, doesn't it?" Lizbeth reached for Noah's hand, as he slid off the bed. She smiled at Lou, as Noah drug her out the bedroom door.
"Bye mama, see you later."
"Bye, sugarplum. You be good for Lizbeth, okay." Lou settled back down on the mattress, taking a deep breath, then letting it out, again and again. Soon, the pain in her lower back went away...........once more, for the second time since she had awakened. She was scared, but now she felt a little more at ease with someone as good hearted as Elizabeth Sturgis here to help care for her son.
“I’m sorry little man. We were just talking to Miss Elizabeth here.” he replied. Noah James looked at Elizabeth and smiled. He then got off his father’s lap and went over to her and said. “You’re pretty.” Almost sensing that Buck was extremely nervous around Elizabeth. He turned and walked over to Buck and said “Isn’t she pretty Uncle Buck?” Buck’s face had gone pale and his mouth went instantly dry. All he could do was nod his head and turn bright red.
It was then that Buck decided he had to get out of there. “I umm have to go check on the horses. Nice talking to you Elizabeth.” Buck stood up and practically ran from the room.
Elizabeth said to his retreating back. “Nice meeting you Buck.” She said feeling very flushed.
Kid got up from his chair and picked up his son and said to Elizabeth “Now it’s time to meet the woman of the house.” As they walked up the stairs all Elizabeth could think of was how Buck had acted just minutes before. She didn’t understand why he was acting so strangely. When they got to the top of the stairs Elizabeth remembered that she was just about to meet Louise. Elizabeth was extremely nervous, but tried to keep her nerves in check. As she walked into the master bedroom Elizabeth tried to keep a smile on face. “Miss Elizabeth Sturgis this is my wife Louise. Lou this is the woman I told you about.”
Lou smiled at Elizabeth and put out her hand for her to shake it. “Welcome Elizabeth. It’s very nice to meet you.” Elizabeth took her hand and said
“I’m very pleased to meet you Mrs. McCloud.”
“Please call me Lou.”
Noah James climbed on the bed to sit next to his mother and said to her “She’s real pretty Mama. Can she stay and play with me?”
The adults smiled at the boy. Lou then told him. “Honey remember when I told you that Mama needs to stay in bed because your new brother or sister needs for Mama to rest all she can before he or she gets here.” Noah James nodded and Lou went on. “Miss Elizabeth is going to be taking care of the house and playing with you so Mama can rest. She will be staying for a while.”
Noah James looked at Elizabeth and cocked his head and said. “Can she play with me all I want.”
Lou smiled and replied “She sure can.” With that Noah James launched himself off the bed and into Elizabeth’s arms. When she caught him, she lost her balance and fell onto her backside with Noah James in her arms. The nervousness has been replaced by a room full of laughter. “I think you’re going to do fine here Elizabeth.” Lou exclaimed.
Although she knew her face was the color of crimson, Elizabeth nodded at Mrs. McCloud, and between her giggles and the giggles of the little boy, she replied. "Thank you, Mrs. McCloud, I think I will very much enjoy taking care of Noah James for you, and helping look after whatever you need me to. I was just so happy that anyone would actually allow me to work for them, and as of right now, I can't think of a more friendly atmosphere to be working in." she allowed Kid to help her up off the floor, all the while holding on to a very squirmy young man.
Lou smiled as she watched a bond between her son and this girl begin to develop almost suddenly, right before her eyes.
"Again, please call me Lou. I've never been much on formality with the people who live under my roof, or who've become my friends." Lou addressed the young lady, who had finally been able to calm Noah down.
"I'll try Mrs., I mean Lou. It's just that my Ma and Pa always taught us to be respectful to other people, but I'll try not to call you Mrs. McCloud, at least not too often." Elizabeth smiled shyly. Glancing down at her feet, which at this point seemed miles away, she mumbled. "Would it be alright if you called me Lizbeth, instead of Elizabeth, when we talk? You see, I always thought my name was hard to say when someone had to repeat it often. So, most of my friends just call me Lizbeth, just minus the first and third vowels. I find it's quicker, too. Just as long as my parents don't hear anyone call me by that name. They feel that since they gave me my name, I should be proud to have it." she looked at Lou, who seemed slightly confused. "Oh, I am proud of my name, and of who I am." Elizabeth quickly added. "I hope you understand, I'm not being disrespectful to my parents." She looked at Lou again, and asked. "Am I? Do you think that I'm showing disrespect by doing this?"
Lou grinned, and shook her head. "No, no I don't think you're being disrespectful at all." she was actually amazed and proud of the young lady who was close to her own age. "I feel that you are your own self, and that you have the right to make decisions about your life yourself, and this decision certainly isn't one that is going to damage your life one bit. But I can understand you not wanting to practice it when your parents are around, and I guarantee you, that as long as we can remember, we will be the only ones who will address you as Lizbeth, except for when your family visits, which I hope will be often."
"Mamaaaaa," Noah James wanted down on the bed with his mother. "I'm hungry." Elizabeth placed him beside Lou. His mother gave him a huge kiss on the forehead, and ruffled his curly hair.
"Go with Miss E...., Miss Lizbeth," she smiled at the girl. "and she will take you to your Papa, who, I believe, has a special surprise for you."
"That sounds exciting, doesn't it?" Lizbeth reached for Noah's hand, as he slid off the bed. She smiled at Lou, as Noah drug her out the bedroom door.
"Bye mama, see you later."
"Bye, sugarplum. You be good for Lizbeth, okay." Lou settled back down on the mattress, taking a deep breath, then letting it out, again and again. Soon, the pain in her lower back went away...........once more, for the second time since she had awakened. She was scared, but now she felt a little more at ease with someone as good hearted as Elizabeth Sturgis here to help care for her son.
Chapter Five
Elizabeth spent the rest of the day settling in and getting to know Noah James. On a couple of occasions when they were outside, she caught a glimpse of Buck as he worked some of the horses, they were getting ready for market. Once when she glanced up from where Noah James was playing in the dirt, she could have sworn that Buck had been studying her closely, but decided she was mistaken as he continued to work with the stallion he was trying to break.
"Uncle Buck's the best at breaking mean horsies," Noah James said, bringing Elizabeth's attention back to him.
"I'm sure he does a good job," she agreed.
"Not good," replied the boy "He's the best; Papa said so."
Elizabeth smiled at the child. "Then I'm sure he's the best." She laughed softly and glanced over to the corral once more. This time she noticed the position of the sun and stated, "I think we'd best go get cleaned up so I can see about starting dinner."
The little boy groaned, but followed her inside. As she quickly cleaned his face and hands, she said, "You sure do a good job of getting dirty. You're almost as good at it as my little brother."
Noah James smiled. "Mama says I must be part pig."
Elizabeth laughed. "I think maybe it's just being a boy." As she wiped the last bit of dirt from his face she stood. "I need to go talk to your Mama about what she wants me to fix for dinner this evening. You want to go see her too?"
The boy nodded so the two of them climbed the stairs to the room where Louise was resting. They found her looking out the window watching Kid and Buck as they continued to work with the stallion.
She turned to them when the entered the room, and smiled.
"Did you see me playing outside Mama?"
"Yes I did. It looked like you were having fun."
The little boy nodded. "Miss Beth is good at games." Elizabeth smiled at his compliment. He was having a bit of trouble saying Lizbeth so they decided Beth was close enough.
"That's good sweetheart. Someday soon I'll be able to play with you again too."
Elizabeth caught a hint of sadness in Lou's eyes, and she realized how hard it must be for her to be stuck up here, unable to take care of her family.
"We were just wondering what to make for dinner?" Elizabeth asked.
"There's something left over from last night, I think. Some roast beef and potatoes. I suppose we'd better eat that before it spoils....And I know the boys have been wanting a pie...are you a good cook Eliza...Lizbeth?"
"Yes ma'am," Elizabeth smiled.
"Well then, I'm sure Kid will appreciate that. I ain't the best, but I've gotten better." Lou noticed Elizabeth glancing out the window.
"It's exciting to watch them with the horses isn't it?"
Elizabeth blushed, feeling like she'd been caught doing something she shouldn't.
"I told Miss Beth Uncle Buck is the best with mean horsies." Noah James declared.
"Yes, he is. We're very lucky to have him here." Lou looked outside again, watching her husband and her friend. She said nothing more, but Elizabeth found herself full of questions about Buck Cross.
"Uncle Buck's the best at breaking mean horsies," Noah James said, bringing Elizabeth's attention back to him.
"I'm sure he does a good job," she agreed.
"Not good," replied the boy "He's the best; Papa said so."
Elizabeth smiled at the child. "Then I'm sure he's the best." She laughed softly and glanced over to the corral once more. This time she noticed the position of the sun and stated, "I think we'd best go get cleaned up so I can see about starting dinner."
The little boy groaned, but followed her inside. As she quickly cleaned his face and hands, she said, "You sure do a good job of getting dirty. You're almost as good at it as my little brother."
Noah James smiled. "Mama says I must be part pig."
Elizabeth laughed. "I think maybe it's just being a boy." As she wiped the last bit of dirt from his face she stood. "I need to go talk to your Mama about what she wants me to fix for dinner this evening. You want to go see her too?"
The boy nodded so the two of them climbed the stairs to the room where Louise was resting. They found her looking out the window watching Kid and Buck as they continued to work with the stallion.
She turned to them when the entered the room, and smiled.
"Did you see me playing outside Mama?"
"Yes I did. It looked like you were having fun."
The little boy nodded. "Miss Beth is good at games." Elizabeth smiled at his compliment. He was having a bit of trouble saying Lizbeth so they decided Beth was close enough.
"That's good sweetheart. Someday soon I'll be able to play with you again too."
Elizabeth caught a hint of sadness in Lou's eyes, and she realized how hard it must be for her to be stuck up here, unable to take care of her family.
"We were just wondering what to make for dinner?" Elizabeth asked.
"There's something left over from last night, I think. Some roast beef and potatoes. I suppose we'd better eat that before it spoils....And I know the boys have been wanting a pie...are you a good cook Eliza...Lizbeth?"
"Yes ma'am," Elizabeth smiled.
"Well then, I'm sure Kid will appreciate that. I ain't the best, but I've gotten better." Lou noticed Elizabeth glancing out the window.
"It's exciting to watch them with the horses isn't it?"
Elizabeth blushed, feeling like she'd been caught doing something she shouldn't.
"I told Miss Beth Uncle Buck is the best with mean horsies." Noah James declared.
"Yes, he is. We're very lucky to have him here." Lou looked outside again, watching her husband and her friend. She said nothing more, but Elizabeth found herself full of questions about Buck Cross.
Chapter Six
"So what do you think?" Kid asked, as he and Buck walked over the barn.
"About what?" Buck asked.
"About Elizabeth. You think this is gonna work out?"
Buck glanced at Kid, then looked away. "Noah likes her."
"She is pretty." Kid observed, smiling to himself when Buck began to busy himself with a saddle that he had repaired the day before. When Buck didn't reply, he decided not to torture his friend any further. At least not right now.
"Come on. Let's go wash up and see what's for dinner. I sure hope she can cook."
Elizabeth easily made her way around the McCloud’s kitchen, and found that Noah, though only three, was a big help in telling her where to find what she needed. She prepared the leftovers from the night before, and decided that in the morning she would set about making some fresh bread and a pie or two. One thing she was good at was cooking. It made her feel useful.
She set the table and then made a small plate for Noah, figuring the child would be hungry after all his time outside. Louise had told her the boy was a good eater, and he proved his mama right.
When Kid and Buck came inside, she felt butterflies in her stomach. She still felt nervous around both of them, and hoped that she would prove herself worthy of the responsibility she'd been given.
Kid carried Lou down the stairs and over to the table, as he'd done every night since the doctor had confined her to bed.
"Kid, I told you I ain't an invalid! I lie in that bed all day...at least let me walk down the stairs myself!"
"Doc said you ain't supposed to strain yourself at all. Once the baby, comes you'll have plenty to take care of. Stop your complainin' and let me take care of you."
Lou sighed heavily, but then smiled at her husband as he kissed her lightly on the temple, easing her gently into a chair. Elizabeth would soon learn that even though they argued, Kid and Louise loved each other to distraction.
"The table looks nice." Kid commented with a smile.
Elizabeth blushed, "I think everything is ready. I hope it's alright."
It was more than alright. Somehow, Elizabeth had managed to make the leftovers taste better than they had the night before. Everyone at the table was impressed.
"Where'd you learn to cook?"
"My mother. She said one thing a woman should know is how to find her way around a kitchen."
"Think she could show Lou around once she's better?" Kid winked at his wife, who promptly threw a napkin at him, hitting him in the face. Noah found this very amusing.
"Very funny," Louise scowled. Elizabeth was suddenly uncomfortable, feeling guilty that her cooking skills were better than her employer's. Lou seemed to notice her unease, and her face softened.
"I told you I can't cook. Kid's always teasing me about it. It's really a wonderful meal." She smiled at Elizabeth, and noticed that Buck, who had been more quiet than usual during the meal, was watching the girl.
"Don't you think so Buck?"
The Kiowa started slightly, at the sound of his name. He had obviously been a million miles away.
"Huh?"
"Don't you think Elizabeth did a nice job with dinner?" Lou repeated.
"Yes...it’s very good."
Elizabeth felt her face flush, silently berated herself for blushing, yet again. She stole a glance at Buck, but he was concentrating on finishing his meal.
"About what?" Buck asked.
"About Elizabeth. You think this is gonna work out?"
Buck glanced at Kid, then looked away. "Noah likes her."
"She is pretty." Kid observed, smiling to himself when Buck began to busy himself with a saddle that he had repaired the day before. When Buck didn't reply, he decided not to torture his friend any further. At least not right now.
"Come on. Let's go wash up and see what's for dinner. I sure hope she can cook."
Elizabeth easily made her way around the McCloud’s kitchen, and found that Noah, though only three, was a big help in telling her where to find what she needed. She prepared the leftovers from the night before, and decided that in the morning she would set about making some fresh bread and a pie or two. One thing she was good at was cooking. It made her feel useful.
She set the table and then made a small plate for Noah, figuring the child would be hungry after all his time outside. Louise had told her the boy was a good eater, and he proved his mama right.
When Kid and Buck came inside, she felt butterflies in her stomach. She still felt nervous around both of them, and hoped that she would prove herself worthy of the responsibility she'd been given.
Kid carried Lou down the stairs and over to the table, as he'd done every night since the doctor had confined her to bed.
"Kid, I told you I ain't an invalid! I lie in that bed all day...at least let me walk down the stairs myself!"
"Doc said you ain't supposed to strain yourself at all. Once the baby, comes you'll have plenty to take care of. Stop your complainin' and let me take care of you."
Lou sighed heavily, but then smiled at her husband as he kissed her lightly on the temple, easing her gently into a chair. Elizabeth would soon learn that even though they argued, Kid and Louise loved each other to distraction.
"The table looks nice." Kid commented with a smile.
Elizabeth blushed, "I think everything is ready. I hope it's alright."
It was more than alright. Somehow, Elizabeth had managed to make the leftovers taste better than they had the night before. Everyone at the table was impressed.
"Where'd you learn to cook?"
"My mother. She said one thing a woman should know is how to find her way around a kitchen."
"Think she could show Lou around once she's better?" Kid winked at his wife, who promptly threw a napkin at him, hitting him in the face. Noah found this very amusing.
"Very funny," Louise scowled. Elizabeth was suddenly uncomfortable, feeling guilty that her cooking skills were better than her employer's. Lou seemed to notice her unease, and her face softened.
"I told you I can't cook. Kid's always teasing me about it. It's really a wonderful meal." She smiled at Elizabeth, and noticed that Buck, who had been more quiet than usual during the meal, was watching the girl.
"Don't you think so Buck?"
The Kiowa started slightly, at the sound of his name. He had obviously been a million miles away.
"Huh?"
"Don't you think Elizabeth did a nice job with dinner?" Lou repeated.
"Yes...it’s very good."
Elizabeth felt her face flush, silently berated herself for blushing, yet again. She stole a glance at Buck, but he was concentrating on finishing his meal.
Chapter Seven
After dinner, Kid carried Louise back upstairs, with his son trailing behind. Buck thanked Elizabeth for the meal and quickly excused himself to do the evening chores. She found herself alone.
As she cleared the table, her mind went over the events of the day. The McCloud’s were a nice family. Nicer than she had expected, and she found herself thinking that she could really be happy here. Of course, she reminded herself that it was only the first day, and she heard her father's voice, telling her not expect too much. He always said if you didn't expect too much, you wouldn't be disappointed.
As she washed up the dinner dishes, she thought about Buck. Tonight, at dinner she had been struck again by his dark looks. She had never seen a more handsome man. She heard his voice in her head and it made her shiver slightly. There was something about it, the tone or the way he spoke...it gave her butterflies. Of course, he'd said less than ten words to her since they met. It was obvious she hadn't made much of an impression on him, but why would she?
She was a plain, gawky girl. Not someone that would catch the eye of a man like him.
"Would you like some help?"
Buck's voice behind her made her start in surprise. She turned from the sink and the wet glass she held in her hand fell, shattering on the floor. Without thinking, she bent down to clean it up.
"Be careful!" Buck admonished, but it was too late. Elizabeth cut her finger on a piece of glass, and drew her hand back with a cry.
Buck quickly made his way across the room, and grabbed her hand gently, but firmly in his own.
He inspected the cut, removing a small shard of glass that was still there.
"It's not too deep." he told her, pumping some water into the sink to wash it out.
Elizabeth fought back tears of embarrassment, angry at her own clumsiness.
"I'm sorry," she said as Buck, still holding her hand under the water, found a clean dishtowel to wrap it in. "I'm always so clumsy..."
"It was my fault," Buck told her, smiling slightly. "I didn't mean to startle you." He looked at her then, and Elizabeth could think of nothing to say, losing herself in his eyes. This time he didn't look away.
After a moment, she realized that the water had stopped, but Buck was still holding her hand, and her finger was still bleeding.
"Um, may I have the towel please?"
Buck looked at her a second longer, then her words seemed to register. "Oh, sorry." He took the small cotton towel and wrapped it gently around her finger. She imagined she could still feel the heat of his touch through the makeshift bandage.
"Just hold it like that and the bleeding will stop." he told her. She felt the butterflies again, and hoped that she wasn't blushing furiously.
As she cleared the table, her mind went over the events of the day. The McCloud’s were a nice family. Nicer than she had expected, and she found herself thinking that she could really be happy here. Of course, she reminded herself that it was only the first day, and she heard her father's voice, telling her not expect too much. He always said if you didn't expect too much, you wouldn't be disappointed.
As she washed up the dinner dishes, she thought about Buck. Tonight, at dinner she had been struck again by his dark looks. She had never seen a more handsome man. She heard his voice in her head and it made her shiver slightly. There was something about it, the tone or the way he spoke...it gave her butterflies. Of course, he'd said less than ten words to her since they met. It was obvious she hadn't made much of an impression on him, but why would she?
She was a plain, gawky girl. Not someone that would catch the eye of a man like him.
"Would you like some help?"
Buck's voice behind her made her start in surprise. She turned from the sink and the wet glass she held in her hand fell, shattering on the floor. Without thinking, she bent down to clean it up.
"Be careful!" Buck admonished, but it was too late. Elizabeth cut her finger on a piece of glass, and drew her hand back with a cry.
Buck quickly made his way across the room, and grabbed her hand gently, but firmly in his own.
He inspected the cut, removing a small shard of glass that was still there.
"It's not too deep." he told her, pumping some water into the sink to wash it out.
Elizabeth fought back tears of embarrassment, angry at her own clumsiness.
"I'm sorry," she said as Buck, still holding her hand under the water, found a clean dishtowel to wrap it in. "I'm always so clumsy..."
"It was my fault," Buck told her, smiling slightly. "I didn't mean to startle you." He looked at her then, and Elizabeth could think of nothing to say, losing herself in his eyes. This time he didn't look away.
After a moment, she realized that the water had stopped, but Buck was still holding her hand, and her finger was still bleeding.
"Um, may I have the towel please?"
Buck looked at her a second longer, then her words seemed to register. "Oh, sorry." He took the small cotton towel and wrapped it gently around her finger. She imagined she could still feel the heat of his touch through the makeshift bandage.
"Just hold it like that and the bleeding will stop." he told her. She felt the butterflies again, and hoped that she wasn't blushing furiously.
Chapter Eight
As Elizabeth prepared for bed that evening all she could think of was Buck with his strong but gentle hands, his eyes she could get lost in and his wonderful voice that sent shivers up her spine. She knew that he would never be interested in her but at the same time she wondered why he stared at her and thought about the long look they had in each other’s eyes at the sink. For the life of her she couldn’t figure out why that had happened. She thought with the smallest glimmer of hope that he may be interested in her. Her pessimistic side quickly pushed that out of her mind. So, she got into bed and hoped tomorrow would be as good a day as today was.
Kid and Lou were up late talking about their new employee. They both agreed that Elizabeth was going to be a great addition to the ranch and the express family if Lou had anything to say about it. Lou said to Kid “I think Buck likes Elizabeth.”
“Sure, we all like Elizabeth.” Kid replied.
Lou thought of how dense Kid could be at times. “No Kid, I mean he really likes Elizabeth.” She sighed.
Kid got an ‘oh no here we go again’ look on his face and said “OH NO LOU! You ain’t turnin’ into no matchmaker again. Do you remember what happened when you tried to get Teaspoon to court the Widow Carmichael? Do you?" Kid replied exasperated.
“Well there’s no need bringin’ that up now” Lou said.
“Lou, she pulled a shotgun on Teaspoon. They don’t even walk on the same side of the street anymore. They avoid each other like the plague.” Kid said getting a bit angry.
“Kid there is no need to get angry. I was just voicing my opinion is all.” Lou replied with a look of feigned innocence on her face. “Go to bed Kid. You have an early day tomorrow. Goodnight. I love you. Lou said.
“I love you too, Lou. Goodnight.” As Kid fell into a deep sleep Lou’s mind was working overtime on how she could get Buck and Elizabeth together. She told herself that she would come up with something soon and fell asleep.
At the small house on the edge of the property Buck sat in bed perplexed. He hadn’t felt this way for a woman in a long time and he was trying to figure out what to do about it. He thought to himself ‘She’s so kind and giving. She’s beautiful with her long blonde hair and her eyes the color of blueberries.’ 'I think she’s very self-conscious, but that’s part of her charm. Her being clumsy just makes her seem so sweet. OH! I’m attracted to her. But if we start courting will people treat her differently than before? What if she doesn’t even like me in that way? Boy is this going to be awkward. I guess I’ll just have to see what develops.’ With that Buck blew out the lamp and tried to go to sleep but visions of Elizabeth kept flashing through his mind. “This is going to be a long night.” he groaned.
Kid and Lou were up late talking about their new employee. They both agreed that Elizabeth was going to be a great addition to the ranch and the express family if Lou had anything to say about it. Lou said to Kid “I think Buck likes Elizabeth.”
“Sure, we all like Elizabeth.” Kid replied.
Lou thought of how dense Kid could be at times. “No Kid, I mean he really likes Elizabeth.” She sighed.
Kid got an ‘oh no here we go again’ look on his face and said “OH NO LOU! You ain’t turnin’ into no matchmaker again. Do you remember what happened when you tried to get Teaspoon to court the Widow Carmichael? Do you?" Kid replied exasperated.
“Well there’s no need bringin’ that up now” Lou said.
“Lou, she pulled a shotgun on Teaspoon. They don’t even walk on the same side of the street anymore. They avoid each other like the plague.” Kid said getting a bit angry.
“Kid there is no need to get angry. I was just voicing my opinion is all.” Lou replied with a look of feigned innocence on her face. “Go to bed Kid. You have an early day tomorrow. Goodnight. I love you. Lou said.
“I love you too, Lou. Goodnight.” As Kid fell into a deep sleep Lou’s mind was working overtime on how she could get Buck and Elizabeth together. She told herself that she would come up with something soon and fell asleep.
At the small house on the edge of the property Buck sat in bed perplexed. He hadn’t felt this way for a woman in a long time and he was trying to figure out what to do about it. He thought to himself ‘She’s so kind and giving. She’s beautiful with her long blonde hair and her eyes the color of blueberries.’ 'I think she’s very self-conscious, but that’s part of her charm. Her being clumsy just makes her seem so sweet. OH! I’m attracted to her. But if we start courting will people treat her differently than before? What if she doesn’t even like me in that way? Boy is this going to be awkward. I guess I’ll just have to see what develops.’ With that Buck blew out the lamp and tried to go to sleep but visions of Elizabeth kept flashing through his mind. “This is going to be a long night.” he groaned.
Chapter Nine
That night Buck thrashed and turned in his bed. Whenever he could get one moment of shuteye Elizabeth’s face would dance across his mind’s eye, and the sun would shimmer in her hair and her smile would light up the whole room. Whenever he would start to dream, he would wake up. Deciding that he wasn’t going to get any sleep today, Buck rose and got dressed.
The night air was fresh and Buck drew in a deep breath. Leaning on the corral Buck watched the horses sleep. 'Wouldn’t it be great to be a horse and have no trouble getting to sleep at night?' Buck thought as a small smile came to his lips.
“What are you thinking about?” a voice came from behind him. Buck turned to find Elizabeth.
“What are you doing up? It’s the middle of the night.” He didn’t mean to be as stern as he was, it just came out that way.
“I could ask you the same thing...” countered Elizabeth with a smirk. “I’m sorry,” she said suddenly. “I didn’t mean to be rude.”
“You weren’t,” said Buck and forced a smile to his lips. “Umm...couldn’t you sleep?” His voice was soft this time.
“No...” she dragged the word out. “Sometimes I have a hard time getting to sleep in new places.” Elizabeth bit her lip and regretted having said anything.
"I guess it would be hard for someone like you to adjust to a different setting, when you've been used to the same thing for such a long time." Buck answered, remembering that she had a family, and had probably not been away from them much.
Elizabeth looked at him, then down at the ground, as she realized he was talking about the fact that she had parents, to look after her best interests, and that for a long time he had had no one until he'd met the members of the Pony Express. At least that's what she had heard.
"When you say someone like me, what exactly do you mean, Mr. Cross?" suddenly she felt shy again, just when she was starting to feel at ease around this handsome man. She turned to lean against the fence to watch the horses as he had been doing.
"Mr. Cross? I thought we had established the fact that you would call me Buck, unless, of course, you would now prefer to be addressed as Miss Sturgis," Buck took his hand and turned her head to look at him. When she did, she saw he was smiling, and he had one eyebrow raised, as he waited for her response.
The feel of his hand on her skin made her dizzy, and at this moment she wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole, as she knew her face was turning every shade of pink and red there was, and maybe some new ones she had just invented. Trying to tear her eyes away from his was impossible, as she answered him.
"No, no... of course I, I, I don't want you to call me that." Elizabeth was having a hard time speaking. What is this? She thought to herself, I've suddenly been struck by a case of the stutters. She tried to calm her heart down, it was racing so fast, she was sure that anybody could see it pounding in her chest. Taking a deep breath, she continued slowly. "I'm sorry Buck, I would like for you to call me Lizbeth, if it's not too much trouble." There, she'd said it. Now, she didn't even care about the other question, she just wanted to get back to the house before embarrassing herself any further. She turned the wrong way, and ended up getting her robe caught on a wire on the fence. It tore her robe a little, before she realized what she had done.
"Here, wait a minute and I'll help you get free." Buck moved around between Elizabeth and the fence, and started gently untwisting the fabric that was caught. He was so close to her that Elizabeth could smell the earthy scent of his freshly bathed body. She tried to suck in her already tight stomach, so that he wouldn't touch it when he got out of where he was, like he had when he first moved there to help free her.
"There, you're free to go." Buck turned around, and was about two inches away from her face. It was amazing how close they were in height, as he was but a few inches taller.
Elizabeth tried to step back, and tripped on the bottom of her robe, but before she could fall, Buck caught her around her waist with both of his strong arms. He helped her to a standing position, but kept his arms around her. Looking into each other’s eyes, they both leaned in, lips touching gently once. Buck pulled back, waiting to see what Elizabeth's reaction would be. When she didn't move, he leaned in again, taking her mouth with his, feeling her lips respond back, and kissed her once again. It wasn't a long kiss, but it was a meaningful one. They both felt something there.
Buck smiled at her, as he pushed her hair back from her forehead.
"I think I can probably get some sleep now, how about you? I'll have some pretty good dreams too." he stroked her cheek with his finger.
Elizabeth smiled back. "I hope it wasn't just the night air that you find gives you peace enough to sleep. I know I can't wait until morning now. I just hope I don't wake up, and find I was just dreaming."
"You won't," Buck replied, then more seriously added. "I hope that was okay, I mean I hope you were okay with what just happened."
"Are you? Did you want that to happen? You weren't just playing a trick, were you?"
Buck looked hurt, and Elizabeth reached out and touched his face with her hand. "I'm sorry, that was wrong of me to ask. I've just never been, well, I've never had anyone kiss me before, and I just want to be sure it was real. I'd better go back to the house before someone realizes I'm missing." She turned to head toward Kid and Lou's home. "Thank you, Buck, for a nice evening, and good night." she smiled at him, and practically ran the short distance to the main house, turning to look one more time at the man she knew now would be hard for her to stay away from. As she closed the door to the room she would be sleeping in, she stood with her back to her door, a smile on her face. She traced her lips with her fingertips feeling where his lips had been. She then sighed, and giddily jumped on her bed, pulling the covers up over her, robe and all.
Buck had watched as Elizabeth entered the house, before returning to his own home, and his own bed. He hoped he hadn't crossed the line, but then she'd acted like it had been okay that he had kissed her. Well, actually the kiss had been mutual. He smiled as he stripped back down to his long johns, and crawled into his cool bed. But he couldn't feel the coldness, as he was still feeling the heat from the kiss he had just shared with a special woman. He closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep, the smile never leaving his face.
The night air was fresh and Buck drew in a deep breath. Leaning on the corral Buck watched the horses sleep. 'Wouldn’t it be great to be a horse and have no trouble getting to sleep at night?' Buck thought as a small smile came to his lips.
“What are you thinking about?” a voice came from behind him. Buck turned to find Elizabeth.
“What are you doing up? It’s the middle of the night.” He didn’t mean to be as stern as he was, it just came out that way.
“I could ask you the same thing...” countered Elizabeth with a smirk. “I’m sorry,” she said suddenly. “I didn’t mean to be rude.”
“You weren’t,” said Buck and forced a smile to his lips. “Umm...couldn’t you sleep?” His voice was soft this time.
“No...” she dragged the word out. “Sometimes I have a hard time getting to sleep in new places.” Elizabeth bit her lip and regretted having said anything.
"I guess it would be hard for someone like you to adjust to a different setting, when you've been used to the same thing for such a long time." Buck answered, remembering that she had a family, and had probably not been away from them much.
Elizabeth looked at him, then down at the ground, as she realized he was talking about the fact that she had parents, to look after her best interests, and that for a long time he had had no one until he'd met the members of the Pony Express. At least that's what she had heard.
"When you say someone like me, what exactly do you mean, Mr. Cross?" suddenly she felt shy again, just when she was starting to feel at ease around this handsome man. She turned to lean against the fence to watch the horses as he had been doing.
"Mr. Cross? I thought we had established the fact that you would call me Buck, unless, of course, you would now prefer to be addressed as Miss Sturgis," Buck took his hand and turned her head to look at him. When she did, she saw he was smiling, and he had one eyebrow raised, as he waited for her response.
The feel of his hand on her skin made her dizzy, and at this moment she wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole, as she knew her face was turning every shade of pink and red there was, and maybe some new ones she had just invented. Trying to tear her eyes away from his was impossible, as she answered him.
"No, no... of course I, I, I don't want you to call me that." Elizabeth was having a hard time speaking. What is this? She thought to herself, I've suddenly been struck by a case of the stutters. She tried to calm her heart down, it was racing so fast, she was sure that anybody could see it pounding in her chest. Taking a deep breath, she continued slowly. "I'm sorry Buck, I would like for you to call me Lizbeth, if it's not too much trouble." There, she'd said it. Now, she didn't even care about the other question, she just wanted to get back to the house before embarrassing herself any further. She turned the wrong way, and ended up getting her robe caught on a wire on the fence. It tore her robe a little, before she realized what she had done.
"Here, wait a minute and I'll help you get free." Buck moved around between Elizabeth and the fence, and started gently untwisting the fabric that was caught. He was so close to her that Elizabeth could smell the earthy scent of his freshly bathed body. She tried to suck in her already tight stomach, so that he wouldn't touch it when he got out of where he was, like he had when he first moved there to help free her.
"There, you're free to go." Buck turned around, and was about two inches away from her face. It was amazing how close they were in height, as he was but a few inches taller.
Elizabeth tried to step back, and tripped on the bottom of her robe, but before she could fall, Buck caught her around her waist with both of his strong arms. He helped her to a standing position, but kept his arms around her. Looking into each other’s eyes, they both leaned in, lips touching gently once. Buck pulled back, waiting to see what Elizabeth's reaction would be. When she didn't move, he leaned in again, taking her mouth with his, feeling her lips respond back, and kissed her once again. It wasn't a long kiss, but it was a meaningful one. They both felt something there.
Buck smiled at her, as he pushed her hair back from her forehead.
"I think I can probably get some sleep now, how about you? I'll have some pretty good dreams too." he stroked her cheek with his finger.
Elizabeth smiled back. "I hope it wasn't just the night air that you find gives you peace enough to sleep. I know I can't wait until morning now. I just hope I don't wake up, and find I was just dreaming."
"You won't," Buck replied, then more seriously added. "I hope that was okay, I mean I hope you were okay with what just happened."
"Are you? Did you want that to happen? You weren't just playing a trick, were you?"
Buck looked hurt, and Elizabeth reached out and touched his face with her hand. "I'm sorry, that was wrong of me to ask. I've just never been, well, I've never had anyone kiss me before, and I just want to be sure it was real. I'd better go back to the house before someone realizes I'm missing." She turned to head toward Kid and Lou's home. "Thank you, Buck, for a nice evening, and good night." she smiled at him, and practically ran the short distance to the main house, turning to look one more time at the man she knew now would be hard for her to stay away from. As she closed the door to the room she would be sleeping in, she stood with her back to her door, a smile on her face. She traced her lips with her fingertips feeling where his lips had been. She then sighed, and giddily jumped on her bed, pulling the covers up over her, robe and all.
Buck had watched as Elizabeth entered the house, before returning to his own home, and his own bed. He hoped he hadn't crossed the line, but then she'd acted like it had been okay that he had kissed her. Well, actually the kiss had been mutual. He smiled as he stripped back down to his long johns, and crawled into his cool bed. But he couldn't feel the coldness, as he was still feeling the heat from the kiss he had just shared with a special woman. He closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep, the smile never leaving his face.
Chapter Ten
Buck was awakened by the morning sun coming through his window. He had had such amazing dreams last night problem was that there was no way he could make any sense of it. With determination, Buck dressed to figure it out.
Last night had been filled with such vivid dreams and all of them were about Elizabeth.
“Lou?” he asked his friend who was sitting out on the porch. “Can I ask you something?”
“You just did,” Lou grinned as she looked up from the scarf that she was knitting.
“Umm...how do you know when you like someone? I mean...really like someone.”
“It’s hard to say,” answered Lou. “You, kind of just know. So... who’s the lucky lady?” This was going better than Lou had thought. Buck was just about ready to admit that he liked-liked Elizabeth, which would make her job so much easier.
“Elizabeth. We talked last night because neither of us could sleep and then we kissed. I guess I just want to know if it’s real or it’s just my mind playing tricks on me again...”
“I don’t think it’s your mind playing tricks on you. Otherwise you wouldn’t have come here talking to me. You planning to do something more than kissing?” Lou asked with a grin.
“No,” Buck said with sudden determination. “I don’t want to hurt her.”
With that he stood up and left to muck out the stables.
"Buck!" Lou hollered at him and Buck stopped in his tracks. "Come back here!"
"I got work to do Lou." he answered, knowing that defense would get him nowhere.
"The work can wait." Lou said, as Buck made his way back up the porch steps. This was yet another example of how talking about his feelings got him into trouble. It always seems like a good idea at the time, and then....
"What did you mean 'I don't want to hurt her'?
"I don't want to talk about this right now," Buck sighed "Kid's waiting…"
"You're the one that brought it up. You think you can make a remark like that and just walk away?"
Buck cleared his throat.
"If you not planning to do anything about it, then why did you even ask me?"
"Because....because it kept me awake half the night, alright?" Buck's tone was more exasperated than he would have liked. Lou smiled to herself as she watched him shifting nervously from one foot to the other. It wasn't often that Buck let something get under his skin. At least not so much that it showed.
"Buck..." Lou chose her words carefully "I know things aren’t always been easy for you when it comes to...courting..."
"They've never been easy. You know that. I've seen Elizabeth's father in town. I don't even have to talk to him to know that I'm the last man he'd want to court his daughter!"
"Well, what about what Elizabeth wants? She's old enough to make her own decisions when it comes to her heart."
"It’s not that simple Lou." Buck sighed.
"So you're just going to give up before you even start? Is that it?"
Buck stood before her, looking defeated. She had hoped her last question would make him mad, but it seemed to just confirm what he was already thinking.
"What else can I do? There's no way this can end except badly." Buck stood still now, looking down at his feet.
Lou was close enough to him that she reached out and took hold of his hand.
"How will you know that for sure if you don't try?" she asked softly. "If you have feelings for her..."
Buck smiled sadly at her. "This is hard enough for me Lou. Please don't push."
As Lou and Buck talked on the porch Elizabeth was trying not to listen while cleaning the sitting room. She couldn’t believe it. He actually spent half the night thinking about her and he may have feelings for her. Elizabeth felt her stomach do a flip and she felt her heart start to flutter. It sounded to her like he wanted to court her. At that thought Elizabeth had to sit down. ‘Wait’ she thought, ‘How am I going to get my father to approve of this? Well maybe he’ll just have to accept it. I’m a grown woman and can be courted by anyone I like.’ With this firmly planted in her head she went to take in the laundry. She said quietly to herself “Maybe Buck will be in the corral and I could talk to him.” then she thought better of it. “On second thought maybe later is a better idea.” With that decided she headed outside.
Lou was still sitting on the porch swing when she saw Elizabeth go to the clothesline. Lou thought maybe she should have a talk with her. “Lizbeth” Lou called, “Would you come over here for a moment. I need to talk to you.” Elizabeth was startled from her thoughts of Buck and turned around and walked to the porch steps. Lou patted the spot beside her and Elizabeth climbed the stairs and sat next to Lou. Lou smiled at the woman beside her and said “So how are things here?”
Elizabeth let out a breath that she didn’t know she was holding and let out a relieved sigh. “Things are great but for a minute there I thought I did something wrong.”
“No, you’re doing just fine.” Lou replied. “What I wanted to talk about is you and Buck.” Lou started.
Elizabeth looked shocked. “B..B..Buck and I?” Elizabeth sputtered.
“He told me about your kiss last night.” Lou explained.
“I know I was in the sitting room cleaning up and heard your conversation. I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, really.”
“That’s fine with the windows open you can hear clear to the barn.” Lou said laughing. Elizabeth smiled and let out a little giggle. “So how do you feel about Buck?” Lou asked.
“I like him very much and it would be an honor for him to court me.” Elizabeth said shyly. Before anything else could be said Buck and Kid came out of the barn and walked up to the house. “We’ll have to talk about this later.” Lou said quickly and put a smile on her face for Kid and Buck.
Last night had been filled with such vivid dreams and all of them were about Elizabeth.
“Lou?” he asked his friend who was sitting out on the porch. “Can I ask you something?”
“You just did,” Lou grinned as she looked up from the scarf that she was knitting.
“Umm...how do you know when you like someone? I mean...really like someone.”
“It’s hard to say,” answered Lou. “You, kind of just know. So... who’s the lucky lady?” This was going better than Lou had thought. Buck was just about ready to admit that he liked-liked Elizabeth, which would make her job so much easier.
“Elizabeth. We talked last night because neither of us could sleep and then we kissed. I guess I just want to know if it’s real or it’s just my mind playing tricks on me again...”
“I don’t think it’s your mind playing tricks on you. Otherwise you wouldn’t have come here talking to me. You planning to do something more than kissing?” Lou asked with a grin.
“No,” Buck said with sudden determination. “I don’t want to hurt her.”
With that he stood up and left to muck out the stables.
"Buck!" Lou hollered at him and Buck stopped in his tracks. "Come back here!"
"I got work to do Lou." he answered, knowing that defense would get him nowhere.
"The work can wait." Lou said, as Buck made his way back up the porch steps. This was yet another example of how talking about his feelings got him into trouble. It always seems like a good idea at the time, and then....
"What did you mean 'I don't want to hurt her'?
"I don't want to talk about this right now," Buck sighed "Kid's waiting…"
"You're the one that brought it up. You think you can make a remark like that and just walk away?"
Buck cleared his throat.
"If you not planning to do anything about it, then why did you even ask me?"
"Because....because it kept me awake half the night, alright?" Buck's tone was more exasperated than he would have liked. Lou smiled to herself as she watched him shifting nervously from one foot to the other. It wasn't often that Buck let something get under his skin. At least not so much that it showed.
"Buck..." Lou chose her words carefully "I know things aren’t always been easy for you when it comes to...courting..."
"They've never been easy. You know that. I've seen Elizabeth's father in town. I don't even have to talk to him to know that I'm the last man he'd want to court his daughter!"
"Well, what about what Elizabeth wants? She's old enough to make her own decisions when it comes to her heart."
"It’s not that simple Lou." Buck sighed.
"So you're just going to give up before you even start? Is that it?"
Buck stood before her, looking defeated. She had hoped her last question would make him mad, but it seemed to just confirm what he was already thinking.
"What else can I do? There's no way this can end except badly." Buck stood still now, looking down at his feet.
Lou was close enough to him that she reached out and took hold of his hand.
"How will you know that for sure if you don't try?" she asked softly. "If you have feelings for her..."
Buck smiled sadly at her. "This is hard enough for me Lou. Please don't push."
As Lou and Buck talked on the porch Elizabeth was trying not to listen while cleaning the sitting room. She couldn’t believe it. He actually spent half the night thinking about her and he may have feelings for her. Elizabeth felt her stomach do a flip and she felt her heart start to flutter. It sounded to her like he wanted to court her. At that thought Elizabeth had to sit down. ‘Wait’ she thought, ‘How am I going to get my father to approve of this? Well maybe he’ll just have to accept it. I’m a grown woman and can be courted by anyone I like.’ With this firmly planted in her head she went to take in the laundry. She said quietly to herself “Maybe Buck will be in the corral and I could talk to him.” then she thought better of it. “On second thought maybe later is a better idea.” With that decided she headed outside.
Lou was still sitting on the porch swing when she saw Elizabeth go to the clothesline. Lou thought maybe she should have a talk with her. “Lizbeth” Lou called, “Would you come over here for a moment. I need to talk to you.” Elizabeth was startled from her thoughts of Buck and turned around and walked to the porch steps. Lou patted the spot beside her and Elizabeth climbed the stairs and sat next to Lou. Lou smiled at the woman beside her and said “So how are things here?”
Elizabeth let out a breath that she didn’t know she was holding and let out a relieved sigh. “Things are great but for a minute there I thought I did something wrong.”
“No, you’re doing just fine.” Lou replied. “What I wanted to talk about is you and Buck.” Lou started.
Elizabeth looked shocked. “B..B..Buck and I?” Elizabeth sputtered.
“He told me about your kiss last night.” Lou explained.
“I know I was in the sitting room cleaning up and heard your conversation. I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, really.”
“That’s fine with the windows open you can hear clear to the barn.” Lou said laughing. Elizabeth smiled and let out a little giggle. “So how do you feel about Buck?” Lou asked.
“I like him very much and it would be an honor for him to court me.” Elizabeth said shyly. Before anything else could be said Buck and Kid came out of the barn and walked up to the house. “We’ll have to talk about this later.” Lou said quickly and put a smile on her face for Kid and Buck.
Chapter Eleven
It was evening now and Lou finally had an opportunity to talk with Elizabeth without a chance of the men interrupting.
“Elizabeth,” she said as they put little Noah James to bed. “I think we need to talk about Buck. Make a plan, so to speak.”
“A plan?” asked Elizabeth.
“Yes. I don’t think Buck is going to try and court you if he isn’t given a little kick in the pants. He’s been hurt before really bad and now he thinks that he can’t be with anyone because it will only bring them...and himself pain. Now all we have to do is to make him change his mind and teach him that he can be happy with someone. You game?”
“I think so,” said Elizabeth, a little bit of uncertainness in her voice.
“So, how would you like to be courted? We need to know that before we can start.”
Elizabeth was taken aback by Lou's question. How would she like to be courted? If she were to be honest, she'd say she never thought it was something she'd be wondering about.
In the last two years, several of her friends and acquaintances had gotten engaged and married. She'd watched some fall madly in love, while others simply accepted the beau that their parents chose for them. Not many boys had shown an interest in her and any that did usually changed their minds after meeting her father.
"Lizbeth? Did you hear me?" Lou smiled.
"Oh...yes, I...I did."
"So, any ideas?" Lou prompted.
Elizabeth smiled self-consciously. "I suppose I've never really thought about it...I just want Buck to feel comfortable. I don't even really know anything about him..."
"What do you want to know? I can probably tell ya." Kid's jovial voice startled both women. Elizabeth found herself blushing deeply.
"Hush Kid! You'll wake the baby!" Lou whispered loudly.
"You're the one standin' right over his bed Louise. And speaking of bed, what are you doing out of it?" Kid allowed his wife to push him out of the doorway into the hall.
"I thought you were finishing up the chores." Lou eyed him suspiciously, wondering how much of their conversation he'd overheard.
"I did." he glanced at Elizabeth, who still looked nervous. "That sure was a good meal Lizbeth. You keep feedin' us like that and I won't be able to fit through the door!"
"Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it." Elizabeth looked at Lou, who simply smiled at her.
"What'd I miss?" Kid asked, looking at both women.
"We're just talkin' Kid. Getting to know each other." Lou told him.
"If you'll excuse me, I'd better go make sure the kitchen is tidied up. If you're both ready to turn in, I'll be back up in a minute to see to Noah."
As Lizbeth headed down the stairs, Kid guided his wife into their bedroom. "What are you up to Lou?"
Louise rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Nothin'. Can't I get a moment to myself around here? You're like a mother hen!"
"Just keepin' you outta trouble."
"I'm just tryin' to figure out how she feels about him." Lou finally admitted.
"That ain't your job Lou. Just leave them be. You know how Buck is. He's got his own way of doin' things."
"Well, if we leave it up to him it'll never get done." Lou sat down at her dressing table and let her hair down. It was so long now, she could hardly remember what it looked like cut short.
"As I recall, you didn't like it much when folks tried to push us together..."
"That was different..." Kid's laughter interrupted her statement.
"How's that?" Kid asked, as he took the brush from her hand and began to brush her hair. This was one of their nightly rituals.
"It just was. I was stubborn."
"Well, thank the Lord you realized it in time." Kid smiled at his wife and leaned down to kiss her.
“Elizabeth,” she said as they put little Noah James to bed. “I think we need to talk about Buck. Make a plan, so to speak.”
“A plan?” asked Elizabeth.
“Yes. I don’t think Buck is going to try and court you if he isn’t given a little kick in the pants. He’s been hurt before really bad and now he thinks that he can’t be with anyone because it will only bring them...and himself pain. Now all we have to do is to make him change his mind and teach him that he can be happy with someone. You game?”
“I think so,” said Elizabeth, a little bit of uncertainness in her voice.
“So, how would you like to be courted? We need to know that before we can start.”
Elizabeth was taken aback by Lou's question. How would she like to be courted? If she were to be honest, she'd say she never thought it was something she'd be wondering about.
In the last two years, several of her friends and acquaintances had gotten engaged and married. She'd watched some fall madly in love, while others simply accepted the beau that their parents chose for them. Not many boys had shown an interest in her and any that did usually changed their minds after meeting her father.
"Lizbeth? Did you hear me?" Lou smiled.
"Oh...yes, I...I did."
"So, any ideas?" Lou prompted.
Elizabeth smiled self-consciously. "I suppose I've never really thought about it...I just want Buck to feel comfortable. I don't even really know anything about him..."
"What do you want to know? I can probably tell ya." Kid's jovial voice startled both women. Elizabeth found herself blushing deeply.
"Hush Kid! You'll wake the baby!" Lou whispered loudly.
"You're the one standin' right over his bed Louise. And speaking of bed, what are you doing out of it?" Kid allowed his wife to push him out of the doorway into the hall.
"I thought you were finishing up the chores." Lou eyed him suspiciously, wondering how much of their conversation he'd overheard.
"I did." he glanced at Elizabeth, who still looked nervous. "That sure was a good meal Lizbeth. You keep feedin' us like that and I won't be able to fit through the door!"
"Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it." Elizabeth looked at Lou, who simply smiled at her.
"What'd I miss?" Kid asked, looking at both women.
"We're just talkin' Kid. Getting to know each other." Lou told him.
"If you'll excuse me, I'd better go make sure the kitchen is tidied up. If you're both ready to turn in, I'll be back up in a minute to see to Noah."
As Lizbeth headed down the stairs, Kid guided his wife into their bedroom. "What are you up to Lou?"
Louise rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Nothin'. Can't I get a moment to myself around here? You're like a mother hen!"
"Just keepin' you outta trouble."
"I'm just tryin' to figure out how she feels about him." Lou finally admitted.
"That ain't your job Lou. Just leave them be. You know how Buck is. He's got his own way of doin' things."
"Well, if we leave it up to him it'll never get done." Lou sat down at her dressing table and let her hair down. It was so long now, she could hardly remember what it looked like cut short.
"As I recall, you didn't like it much when folks tried to push us together..."
"That was different..." Kid's laughter interrupted her statement.
"How's that?" Kid asked, as he took the brush from her hand and began to brush her hair. This was one of their nightly rituals.
"It just was. I was stubborn."
"Well, thank the Lord you realized it in time." Kid smiled at his wife and leaned down to kiss her.
Down in the kitchen, Elizabeth rinsed her hands with water, just to take her mind off of her conversation with Lou. Lou's question had caught the girl completely off guard. She could barely get her head around the idea that Buck might want to court her. Was it really up to her how he went about it?
Suddenly, she wondered if Buck might still be in the barn. Should she go talk to him? He hadn't said much during dinner, but then, she was beginning to figure out that he wasn't much of a talker. That didn't bother her, it just made the things he did say, even more meaningful. After a few minutes of fighting with herself about what to do, Elizabeth decided to ignore the enormous butterflies in her stomach, and head for the barn. She wasn't going to let shyness stand in her way this time. She was curious to see what might happen if they were alone together again.
Heading out the back porch, and across the yard, Elizabeth was lost in thought trying to think of what she would say to Buck, when she literally ran right into him.
"Whoa, careful there..." Buck had to put both hands on her shoulders to steady himself, and Elizabeth.
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry!" Elizabeth was mortified. Why must she always be so clumsy around this man?
"You're sure in a hurry. Were you going to the barn?" Buck looked down at her, noticing that her hair looked almost silver in the moonlight.
Elizabeth took a breath to steady her nerves. She raised her head to look at Buck's face as she replied, "I thought maybe you were still down here working; I wanted to see if there was anything I could do for you before I turned in for the evening."
Buck took his hands off her shoulders and smiled at her. "That was very kind of you," he said. He couldn't get over how lovely she looked and he was finding it difficult to know what to say or do.
When he didn't say anything more, Elizabeth prompted, "So, can I get you something?"
Buck was so mesmerized by the natural beauty of the woman standing before him, he still hadn't heard her question.
The idea that the man she was growing very fond of was staring at her, was becoming unnerving to Elizabeth. She was beginning to feel like her old self, very shy, and self-conscious. She thought about turning and fleeing back to the comfort of the main house, but a spark of determination carried its way back up to her heart.
"AHEM." she cleared her throat, looking coyly at Buck.
He snapped out of his stupor, feeling his face get warm, embarrassed by the idea that she had caught him staring at her.
"Did you say something?" He managed to stammer the words out.
She smiled at him. She could tell he was flustered at having been caught, and she felt more at ease knowing that he felt almost, if not just, as awkward as she did at this moment.
"I was just asking you if there was anything I could give you" Now her face got red again. "I mean, anything I could get you. Is there something I could get for you, before I turn into, I mean turn in for the night. I mean, you turn in for the night." She squeezed her eyes tightly closed. "I think I should just shut up for now. That's what I'll do, I'll just quit talking, I'm just making matters worse by..."
She felt his lips softly touch hers, gently, as he reached to steady her again. She hadn't realized that with all her babbling she had started to tremble, and Buck didn't want her falling down, not that she would do something like that. But, he thought, why take any chances.
After he pulled his mouth away from hers, he smiled at her. Elizabeth was at a loss for anything to say.
"What? Now, you ran out of things to talk about?" Buck teased her. She just stood there, staring at him.
If she told him what she wanted right now, he would probably laugh at her anyway, and besides that, she couldn't believe she was actually thinking this way. Her mother would probably call her a wanton woman. And her father, well, he would probably say a few things that were inappropriate.
Elizabeth smiled, as she thought of what her father would look like if she told him she wanted Buck Cross to court her. Oh goodness, she certainly wouldn't want him to fall dead with a heart attack. She giggled.
"I hope I'm not the one you're laughing about." Buck's voice broke into her thoughts, she hadn't realized she was giggling out loud.
"Oh no, I was just thinking about something funny that Noah James said before bed." She knew that was a lie, but she didn't want to tell him what she was really thinking about.
"Sooooo..." she began.
Buck winked at her, and smiled, then pulled her close to him. Leaning down, he took her lips once more in a short, but sweet kiss. "You gave me just what I needed before bed, something to grant me sweet dreams on. Now, I best be turning in, mornin' comes soon enough." He kissed her on her forehead. "Goodnight Beth. Is it okay if I call you that?"
Elizabeth nodded her head yes. She tried to speak, but other than uttering the words "Goodnight Buck," she wasn't able to force anything else out of her mouth. Smiling, she thought to herself, how he had chosen to call her a different name than what she had mentioned to everybody else. She couldn't wait to tell Lou about it in the morning. It had to mean something, right? And the fact that they had kissed, again, that had to mean he felt something too. At least she hoped it did. She turned around and ran back to the house, already wishing it was morning, so that she could see Buck's handsome face again. And then for it to turn to night. This was like their special time. She knew she shouldn't wish her days away, but when the wishes involved a certain handsome Kiowa man, she didn't care.
Buck shut his front door, took a deep breath, and leaned against the frame, wondering what in the world had come over him.
He'd told himself this morning that getting involved with Elizabeth was not a good idea. She was here to do a job. They didn't know each other, and he was pretty sure that it wouldn't take long for her to decide that she didn't need some half-breed ranch hand chasing after her.
Of course, he was more than a ranch hand. He'd put up half the money for this place. It was in Kid's name because the president of the bank wouldn't loan the money to an Indian, but the fact remained, half of the money that the business generated was his. Still, all the money in the world wouldn't change who he was. After a couple of attempts at courting girls he'd taken an interest in, he decided it wasn't worth the trouble. Someone always got hurt, and usually, it was him.
So what was it about this girl that made him throw caution to the wind whenever she stood too close? With those thoughts in his head, Buck finally fell asleep.
Suddenly, she wondered if Buck might still be in the barn. Should she go talk to him? He hadn't said much during dinner, but then, she was beginning to figure out that he wasn't much of a talker. That didn't bother her, it just made the things he did say, even more meaningful. After a few minutes of fighting with herself about what to do, Elizabeth decided to ignore the enormous butterflies in her stomach, and head for the barn. She wasn't going to let shyness stand in her way this time. She was curious to see what might happen if they were alone together again.
Heading out the back porch, and across the yard, Elizabeth was lost in thought trying to think of what she would say to Buck, when she literally ran right into him.
"Whoa, careful there..." Buck had to put both hands on her shoulders to steady himself, and Elizabeth.
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry!" Elizabeth was mortified. Why must she always be so clumsy around this man?
"You're sure in a hurry. Were you going to the barn?" Buck looked down at her, noticing that her hair looked almost silver in the moonlight.
Elizabeth took a breath to steady her nerves. She raised her head to look at Buck's face as she replied, "I thought maybe you were still down here working; I wanted to see if there was anything I could do for you before I turned in for the evening."
Buck took his hands off her shoulders and smiled at her. "That was very kind of you," he said. He couldn't get over how lovely she looked and he was finding it difficult to know what to say or do.
When he didn't say anything more, Elizabeth prompted, "So, can I get you something?"
Buck was so mesmerized by the natural beauty of the woman standing before him, he still hadn't heard her question.
The idea that the man she was growing very fond of was staring at her, was becoming unnerving to Elizabeth. She was beginning to feel like her old self, very shy, and self-conscious. She thought about turning and fleeing back to the comfort of the main house, but a spark of determination carried its way back up to her heart.
"AHEM." she cleared her throat, looking coyly at Buck.
He snapped out of his stupor, feeling his face get warm, embarrassed by the idea that she had caught him staring at her.
"Did you say something?" He managed to stammer the words out.
She smiled at him. She could tell he was flustered at having been caught, and she felt more at ease knowing that he felt almost, if not just, as awkward as she did at this moment.
"I was just asking you if there was anything I could give you" Now her face got red again. "I mean, anything I could get you. Is there something I could get for you, before I turn into, I mean turn in for the night. I mean, you turn in for the night." She squeezed her eyes tightly closed. "I think I should just shut up for now. That's what I'll do, I'll just quit talking, I'm just making matters worse by..."
She felt his lips softly touch hers, gently, as he reached to steady her again. She hadn't realized that with all her babbling she had started to tremble, and Buck didn't want her falling down, not that she would do something like that. But, he thought, why take any chances.
After he pulled his mouth away from hers, he smiled at her. Elizabeth was at a loss for anything to say.
"What? Now, you ran out of things to talk about?" Buck teased her. She just stood there, staring at him.
If she told him what she wanted right now, he would probably laugh at her anyway, and besides that, she couldn't believe she was actually thinking this way. Her mother would probably call her a wanton woman. And her father, well, he would probably say a few things that were inappropriate.
Elizabeth smiled, as she thought of what her father would look like if she told him she wanted Buck Cross to court her. Oh goodness, she certainly wouldn't want him to fall dead with a heart attack. She giggled.
"I hope I'm not the one you're laughing about." Buck's voice broke into her thoughts, she hadn't realized she was giggling out loud.
"Oh no, I was just thinking about something funny that Noah James said before bed." She knew that was a lie, but she didn't want to tell him what she was really thinking about.
"Sooooo..." she began.
Buck winked at her, and smiled, then pulled her close to him. Leaning down, he took her lips once more in a short, but sweet kiss. "You gave me just what I needed before bed, something to grant me sweet dreams on. Now, I best be turning in, mornin' comes soon enough." He kissed her on her forehead. "Goodnight Beth. Is it okay if I call you that?"
Elizabeth nodded her head yes. She tried to speak, but other than uttering the words "Goodnight Buck," she wasn't able to force anything else out of her mouth. Smiling, she thought to herself, how he had chosen to call her a different name than what she had mentioned to everybody else. She couldn't wait to tell Lou about it in the morning. It had to mean something, right? And the fact that they had kissed, again, that had to mean he felt something too. At least she hoped it did. She turned around and ran back to the house, already wishing it was morning, so that she could see Buck's handsome face again. And then for it to turn to night. This was like their special time. She knew she shouldn't wish her days away, but when the wishes involved a certain handsome Kiowa man, she didn't care.
Buck shut his front door, took a deep breath, and leaned against the frame, wondering what in the world had come over him.
He'd told himself this morning that getting involved with Elizabeth was not a good idea. She was here to do a job. They didn't know each other, and he was pretty sure that it wouldn't take long for her to decide that she didn't need some half-breed ranch hand chasing after her.
Of course, he was more than a ranch hand. He'd put up half the money for this place. It was in Kid's name because the president of the bank wouldn't loan the money to an Indian, but the fact remained, half of the money that the business generated was his. Still, all the money in the world wouldn't change who he was. After a couple of attempts at courting girls he'd taken an interest in, he decided it wasn't worth the trouble. Someone always got hurt, and usually, it was him.
So what was it about this girl that made him throw caution to the wind whenever she stood too close? With those thoughts in his head, Buck finally fell asleep.
Chapter Twelve
As she served up breakfast the next morning, Elizabeth couldn't help smiling to herself. She had decided not to say anything to Lou just yet about last night's kiss. She wanted to see what today would bring first.
She glanced at Buck, who, true to his nature, had said nothing more than good morning to her when he came in to eat. Now he sat, with Noah in his lap, managing to eat around the squirming child. Suddenly, he glanced up, feeling Elizabeth watching him. She felt a moment of embarrassment at being caught, but when he smiled at her, her embarrassment turned to pure happiness.
"Lizbeth," Lou's voice interrupted the girl's thoughts. "I was wondering if you could go into town and pick some things up for me?"
"Of course. I can take Noah..."
"Noah's gonna spend some time with Papa today." Kid smiled as he stacked pancakes on his plate.
"I can take you into town." Everyone turned to look at Buck at once.
"If you want some company. I need some supplies so..."
"But you just did that yesterday." Kid eyed his friend suspiciously.
"I forgot something." Buck's raised eyebrow silenced Kid immediately.
Now Elizabeth blushed as everybody seemed to wait for her reaction to Buck's offer.
"I'd love some company." she smiled. "Thank you."
On the ride into town, Elizabeth talked. Buck asked her one question about her brother, and that was all it took.
For the most part, Buck was of the opinion that white women talked way too much. They prattled on about nothing, and he usually tuned them out. But for some reason, he didn't mind listening to Elizabeth. She seemed very sincere, and he liked watching the changing expression on her face as she spoke. Her eyes sparkled when she talked about her mother and brother.
"...and that's how we ended up in Rock Creek. Everything went pretty well until Papa had the accident..."
Buck remembered Kid telling him what happened to Elizabeth's father.
"That must have been hard on you." Buck glanced at her.
"I think it was hardest on my mother. She's never complained though. That's why I decided I had to find a job."
"I'm glad you did." Buck smiled.
"Me too." Her eyes sparkled again, and Buck could actually feel himself blushing.
Elizabeth took a deep breath, and suddenly seemed to realize that she had been doing most of the talking. "What about your family Buck?"
"Lou and Kid are my family." He spoke in conversational tone, but when he looked away from her, Elizabeth realized that she had touched on a sensitive subject.
"They seem like wonderful people. How long have you known them?"
"We rode for the Pony Express together."
"Really? That must have been exciting!"
Buck smiled at the tone of her voice. "It was mostly a lot of hard work."
"Didn't Marshall Hunter work for the Express too? Is that how you know him?"
Buck nodded.
"He's always been very kind to my mother. He's always a gentleman."
"There's no one like Teaspoon. That's for sure. If it wasn't for him, I don't know where I'd be right now."
"He's helped you a lot?"
Buck smiled, but at the same time, Elizabeth saw a sadness in his eyes. "He's the closest thing to a father I've ever had."
Surprised that Buck had revealed something so personal, Elizabeth was at a loss for words. Before she could recover, they had pulled up in front of Tompkins store.
Buck came around to help her down from the wagon, taking her hand in his. Elizabeth said a silent prayer that she would be able to get down from the wagon gracefully, or at least without falling flat on her face. Thankfully her prayer was answered.
She took out the list Lou had given her and pretended to study it. In truth all she could think about was Buck's hand at her elbow as he helped her step up onto the sidewalk. Other than her father, she'd never had a man escort her into town before. It felt strange and wonderful at the same time. Suddenly she remembered Buck's kiss the night before, and wondered again what it would be like to be courted by this man. Just the thought of it made her feel lightheaded. If it actually happened, Elizabeth wasn't sure she would survive.
The shopkeeper, Tompkins met them at the entrance to the store. Remembering how he had treated her the last time she was here, Elizabeth felt nervous, but decided that she had no reason to worry. She had a job now, and she could hold her head high.
"Morning Buck. I'm glad you're here. I got something to show you."
Buck's brow knitted in confusion. Although he and Tompkins had settled their differences some time ago, he still wouldn't really call the man a friend. They had an understanding. Now he wondered what the man had to tell him.
As soon as they walked in the store, Elizabeth saw her. The beautiful blond girl with the sweet smile. She stepped out from behind the counter, and when Buck saw her, he froze.
"Eagle Feather?"
"Surprise!"
The girl held out her arms to Buck, and to Elizabeth's horror, Buck walked right into them and hugged her tightly. She hugged him back, which added insult to injury. Then, she kissed him tenderly on the cheek. Elizabeth felt sick to her stomach.
"What are you doing here?" Buck pulled back just enough to smile down at the girl. It was obvious that he was thrilled to see her.
"I have a wedding to plan."
"I know but, your last letter said..."
"It's a month away silly. I couldn't wait to the last minute."
Buck shook his head, still shocked to see Jennifer Tomkins. "I'm so glad your home."
"Me too Buck."
As Buck pulled her into another embrace, Elizabeth couldn't stand to watch anymore. She turned around and left the store.
She walked quickly down the sidewalk, not sure where she was going. She just wanted to get away. She felt like such a fool. Why had she ever thought that Buck Cross would be interested in her, of all people. No one ever thought of her that way. And he was such a handsome man. Handsome, and capable and smart...
Angrily wiping away the tears in her eyes, Elizabeth stopped and sat down on the bench in front of the dress shop. Where did she think she was going? She couldn't just run away. This was her job. She had to go back in there, make her purchases, and go home. She just didn't know how she was going to do it.
Now, she was angry. Angry at herself for being so easily swept off her feet, and angry at Buck. He had a fiancé. He was getting married in a month, and he had kissed her. Twice. She wondered what his beautiful bride to be would think about that.
Fueled by anger and embarrassment, Elizabeth stood up, determined to finish her task, and get back to the ranch. Heading back in the direction of the general store, she barreled right into Buck. In a repeat of the events of the previous evening. He put out both hands to steady her.
"Hey..." he smiled tentatively at her. "I turned around and you were gone...are you alright?"
"I'm fine, thank you." Elizabeth moved out of his grasp and kept her eyes to the ground. She was afraid if she looked at him, the tears would return.
"What's wrong?" Buck asked, as she brushed past him and kept walking. "Elizabeth? Wait a minute..."
Confused, Buck tried to catch up with the girl he'd wanted to introduce Jenny Tompkins to. When he turned and didn't see her, he thought maybe she'd forgotten something in the buckboard. Now it was clear that something had happened in the last few minutes to completely change her mood, but try as he might, Buck couldn't figure out what it was.
They entered the store, and Elizabeth said a silent prayer of thanks that she didn't see the blond girl...what had Buck called her? Eagle Feather? She handed her list to the shopkeeper and pretended to look at the trinkets on one of the shelves while he gathered what she needed.
Buck had lived with Lou long enough to know that when a woman had that kind of a mood swing, the smart thing to do was stay out of the way. Still, Elizabeth didn't seem like the moody type... had he done something to upset her? He had no idea.
"Here you go Miss." Tomkins called to her from behind the counter, and she and Buck both walked over to pay for the items. Just then Jenny came out from the store room and smiled at Elizabeth.
"Is this your friend?" she asked Buck sweetly. Elizabeth wanted to melt into the floor.
Buck smiled, looking from one woman to the other. "This is Elizabeth Sturgis. She's helping Lou out until the baby comes. Elizabeth, this is Jenny Tompkins. She's...."
"Congratulations on your engagement." Elizabeth said quickly, forcing a smile.
"Thank you," Jenny told her. "I just can't wait until everything is done and we're settled. I'm so excited to be home."
"Well," Mr. Tompkins cut in. "There's a lot of work to be done before then honey. Buck, I was hopin' we could ask Rachel to help with some of these things. I ain't got the faintest idea how to plan a wedding."
"She's been dying for Jenny to get back so that she can help." Buck smiled. "I'm sure it'll be no problem."
Elizabeth suddenly felt like she had disappeared. Of course, they were all so focused on talking about the upcoming nuptials, she wondered if they would even notice if she left. As she started to pick up the packages Tompkins had wrapped for her, Buck stepped up to take them.
"Let me get that Elizabeth."
"I'm fine." she assured him, still not looking him in the eye. "You have more important things to discuss."
Suddenly feeling like a complete idiot, Elizabeth turned on her heel and strode out the door and made a great effort not to seem affected by what she had just found out. Once outside she began to run. She ran as fast as she could while the tears slipped down her cheeks in small rivers.
Buck shook his head in confusion and after excusing himself to Jenny and Mr. Tompkins he ran after Elizabeth.
“What’s wrong? He asked as he stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder. “Was it something I did?”
“Funny you should ask that...” said Elizabeth. The sarcasm was evident in her voice. “I can’t believe I was such a fool. I thought that...I’d never imagine you to be one of those men...! You’re just like everybody else, aren’t you? Have a fiancé in one place and a mistress in another. You kissed me, Buck. You kissed me and you’re engaged to her. You’re, you’re just...urgh!” Elizabeth didn’t know which words to use so instead she did the first thing that came to mind – smacked him across the face. “I can’t believe I ever allowed myself to like you, ever thinking that we could have a future.” With that she turned and ran.
Buck held his cheek were Elizabeth had hit him. He wasn’t sure what had just happened, but he did know that it wasn’t good. What had given Elizabeth the idea that him and Eagle Feather were anything other than friends? A long time ago he had played with the idea of he and Eagle Feather, but he had never officially liked her. The two were nothing more than old friends.
She glanced at Buck, who, true to his nature, had said nothing more than good morning to her when he came in to eat. Now he sat, with Noah in his lap, managing to eat around the squirming child. Suddenly, he glanced up, feeling Elizabeth watching him. She felt a moment of embarrassment at being caught, but when he smiled at her, her embarrassment turned to pure happiness.
"Lizbeth," Lou's voice interrupted the girl's thoughts. "I was wondering if you could go into town and pick some things up for me?"
"Of course. I can take Noah..."
"Noah's gonna spend some time with Papa today." Kid smiled as he stacked pancakes on his plate.
"I can take you into town." Everyone turned to look at Buck at once.
"If you want some company. I need some supplies so..."
"But you just did that yesterday." Kid eyed his friend suspiciously.
"I forgot something." Buck's raised eyebrow silenced Kid immediately.
Now Elizabeth blushed as everybody seemed to wait for her reaction to Buck's offer.
"I'd love some company." she smiled. "Thank you."
On the ride into town, Elizabeth talked. Buck asked her one question about her brother, and that was all it took.
For the most part, Buck was of the opinion that white women talked way too much. They prattled on about nothing, and he usually tuned them out. But for some reason, he didn't mind listening to Elizabeth. She seemed very sincere, and he liked watching the changing expression on her face as she spoke. Her eyes sparkled when she talked about her mother and brother.
"...and that's how we ended up in Rock Creek. Everything went pretty well until Papa had the accident..."
Buck remembered Kid telling him what happened to Elizabeth's father.
"That must have been hard on you." Buck glanced at her.
"I think it was hardest on my mother. She's never complained though. That's why I decided I had to find a job."
"I'm glad you did." Buck smiled.
"Me too." Her eyes sparkled again, and Buck could actually feel himself blushing.
Elizabeth took a deep breath, and suddenly seemed to realize that she had been doing most of the talking. "What about your family Buck?"
"Lou and Kid are my family." He spoke in conversational tone, but when he looked away from her, Elizabeth realized that she had touched on a sensitive subject.
"They seem like wonderful people. How long have you known them?"
"We rode for the Pony Express together."
"Really? That must have been exciting!"
Buck smiled at the tone of her voice. "It was mostly a lot of hard work."
"Didn't Marshall Hunter work for the Express too? Is that how you know him?"
Buck nodded.
"He's always been very kind to my mother. He's always a gentleman."
"There's no one like Teaspoon. That's for sure. If it wasn't for him, I don't know where I'd be right now."
"He's helped you a lot?"
Buck smiled, but at the same time, Elizabeth saw a sadness in his eyes. "He's the closest thing to a father I've ever had."
Surprised that Buck had revealed something so personal, Elizabeth was at a loss for words. Before she could recover, they had pulled up in front of Tompkins store.
Buck came around to help her down from the wagon, taking her hand in his. Elizabeth said a silent prayer that she would be able to get down from the wagon gracefully, or at least without falling flat on her face. Thankfully her prayer was answered.
She took out the list Lou had given her and pretended to study it. In truth all she could think about was Buck's hand at her elbow as he helped her step up onto the sidewalk. Other than her father, she'd never had a man escort her into town before. It felt strange and wonderful at the same time. Suddenly she remembered Buck's kiss the night before, and wondered again what it would be like to be courted by this man. Just the thought of it made her feel lightheaded. If it actually happened, Elizabeth wasn't sure she would survive.
The shopkeeper, Tompkins met them at the entrance to the store. Remembering how he had treated her the last time she was here, Elizabeth felt nervous, but decided that she had no reason to worry. She had a job now, and she could hold her head high.
"Morning Buck. I'm glad you're here. I got something to show you."
Buck's brow knitted in confusion. Although he and Tompkins had settled their differences some time ago, he still wouldn't really call the man a friend. They had an understanding. Now he wondered what the man had to tell him.
As soon as they walked in the store, Elizabeth saw her. The beautiful blond girl with the sweet smile. She stepped out from behind the counter, and when Buck saw her, he froze.
"Eagle Feather?"
"Surprise!"
The girl held out her arms to Buck, and to Elizabeth's horror, Buck walked right into them and hugged her tightly. She hugged him back, which added insult to injury. Then, she kissed him tenderly on the cheek. Elizabeth felt sick to her stomach.
"What are you doing here?" Buck pulled back just enough to smile down at the girl. It was obvious that he was thrilled to see her.
"I have a wedding to plan."
"I know but, your last letter said..."
"It's a month away silly. I couldn't wait to the last minute."
Buck shook his head, still shocked to see Jennifer Tomkins. "I'm so glad your home."
"Me too Buck."
As Buck pulled her into another embrace, Elizabeth couldn't stand to watch anymore. She turned around and left the store.
She walked quickly down the sidewalk, not sure where she was going. She just wanted to get away. She felt like such a fool. Why had she ever thought that Buck Cross would be interested in her, of all people. No one ever thought of her that way. And he was such a handsome man. Handsome, and capable and smart...
Angrily wiping away the tears in her eyes, Elizabeth stopped and sat down on the bench in front of the dress shop. Where did she think she was going? She couldn't just run away. This was her job. She had to go back in there, make her purchases, and go home. She just didn't know how she was going to do it.
Now, she was angry. Angry at herself for being so easily swept off her feet, and angry at Buck. He had a fiancé. He was getting married in a month, and he had kissed her. Twice. She wondered what his beautiful bride to be would think about that.
Fueled by anger and embarrassment, Elizabeth stood up, determined to finish her task, and get back to the ranch. Heading back in the direction of the general store, she barreled right into Buck. In a repeat of the events of the previous evening. He put out both hands to steady her.
"Hey..." he smiled tentatively at her. "I turned around and you were gone...are you alright?"
"I'm fine, thank you." Elizabeth moved out of his grasp and kept her eyes to the ground. She was afraid if she looked at him, the tears would return.
"What's wrong?" Buck asked, as she brushed past him and kept walking. "Elizabeth? Wait a minute..."
Confused, Buck tried to catch up with the girl he'd wanted to introduce Jenny Tompkins to. When he turned and didn't see her, he thought maybe she'd forgotten something in the buckboard. Now it was clear that something had happened in the last few minutes to completely change her mood, but try as he might, Buck couldn't figure out what it was.
They entered the store, and Elizabeth said a silent prayer of thanks that she didn't see the blond girl...what had Buck called her? Eagle Feather? She handed her list to the shopkeeper and pretended to look at the trinkets on one of the shelves while he gathered what she needed.
Buck had lived with Lou long enough to know that when a woman had that kind of a mood swing, the smart thing to do was stay out of the way. Still, Elizabeth didn't seem like the moody type... had he done something to upset her? He had no idea.
"Here you go Miss." Tomkins called to her from behind the counter, and she and Buck both walked over to pay for the items. Just then Jenny came out from the store room and smiled at Elizabeth.
"Is this your friend?" she asked Buck sweetly. Elizabeth wanted to melt into the floor.
Buck smiled, looking from one woman to the other. "This is Elizabeth Sturgis. She's helping Lou out until the baby comes. Elizabeth, this is Jenny Tompkins. She's...."
"Congratulations on your engagement." Elizabeth said quickly, forcing a smile.
"Thank you," Jenny told her. "I just can't wait until everything is done and we're settled. I'm so excited to be home."
"Well," Mr. Tompkins cut in. "There's a lot of work to be done before then honey. Buck, I was hopin' we could ask Rachel to help with some of these things. I ain't got the faintest idea how to plan a wedding."
"She's been dying for Jenny to get back so that she can help." Buck smiled. "I'm sure it'll be no problem."
Elizabeth suddenly felt like she had disappeared. Of course, they were all so focused on talking about the upcoming nuptials, she wondered if they would even notice if she left. As she started to pick up the packages Tompkins had wrapped for her, Buck stepped up to take them.
"Let me get that Elizabeth."
"I'm fine." she assured him, still not looking him in the eye. "You have more important things to discuss."
Suddenly feeling like a complete idiot, Elizabeth turned on her heel and strode out the door and made a great effort not to seem affected by what she had just found out. Once outside she began to run. She ran as fast as she could while the tears slipped down her cheeks in small rivers.
Buck shook his head in confusion and after excusing himself to Jenny and Mr. Tompkins he ran after Elizabeth.
“What’s wrong? He asked as he stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder. “Was it something I did?”
“Funny you should ask that...” said Elizabeth. The sarcasm was evident in her voice. “I can’t believe I was such a fool. I thought that...I’d never imagine you to be one of those men...! You’re just like everybody else, aren’t you? Have a fiancé in one place and a mistress in another. You kissed me, Buck. You kissed me and you’re engaged to her. You’re, you’re just...urgh!” Elizabeth didn’t know which words to use so instead she did the first thing that came to mind – smacked him across the face. “I can’t believe I ever allowed myself to like you, ever thinking that we could have a future.” With that she turned and ran.
Buck held his cheek were Elizabeth had hit him. He wasn’t sure what had just happened, but he did know that it wasn’t good. What had given Elizabeth the idea that him and Eagle Feather were anything other than friends? A long time ago he had played with the idea of he and Eagle Feather, but he had never officially liked her. The two were nothing more than old friends.
Chapter Thirteen
Lou was sitting on the porch with her napping son when she saw Elizabeth come into the yard on foot. Gently laying her son down on the porch swing, Lou ran over to her friend and drew her into a tight hug.
“What happened in town?” she asked while rubbing her friend’s back.
“Men...are...scum...” sobbed Elizabeth.
Feeling very confused, Lou carefully asked. "Did something happen between you and Buck while you were in town?" Although in her mind she couldn't imagine a thing Buck would do to upset this girl, he even went out of his way to be kind to those who were not sure he belonged here.
Elizabeth pulled back out of Lou's arms, sniffling, and looked at the woman. How could Lou have encouraged her to hope for a courtship with Buck, when surely Lou had to know of his upcoming marriage. Her eyes must have given away how betrayed she felt, because Lou's eyes got big.
"What is it? What's wrong Lizbeth? If you don't tell me, I can't help you. You look hurt, and angry, and I just want to know why." Lou reached for the girl face with her hand, but Elizabeth backed away from her.
"How could you? I trusted you. I'm usually a good judge of character, and when I first met you, you seemed so honest, and so true. Why would you want to set me up like that? Does it make you feel good to see others hurt?" Elizabeth's voice rose as she continued to let her feelings out.
"What are you talking about?"
"That, that.......man. You had to know he was engaged you live here in the same place with him. He told me you and Kid were pretty much the only family he had, so how could you not know about something as important as this?" Elizabeth tried to hold the tears back that threatened to fall again, as she thought about what had just occurred in town only minutes ago.
Lou was shocked. "Are you talking about Buck, our Buck?" The look in Elizabeth's eyes told Lou that this was exactly who she was talking about. "Who told you this?"
"Well, it certainly wasn't.............him." Elizabeth couldn't bring herself to say Buck's name, for fear that she would just break down all over again. She sat down on the step, putting her face in her hands. "I met his fiancée at the general store this morning." she mumbled.
"You what?" Lou could barely hear what the other girl said, so she attempted to lower her swollen body down beside Elizabeth on the step, glancing back at the swing to make sure her son was still okay. ‘I'll never get back up from here,’ Lou thought to herself, as she took a deep breath, and let it out, before finally finding a semi-comfortable position.
"Now, what did you just say? And this time, without your hands covering your mouth, please." Lou took Elizabeth's hands down away from her tear streaked face.
Elizabeth stared at the woman sitting alongside her. Could it be that Lou maybe didn't know? No, if Rachel knew, then Lou would have to know, it wasn't like this would be something everybody would want to keep away from Lou because of her delicate pregnancy. Besides, wouldn't this have been in the works before Lou became pregnant, anyway?
"Elizabeth?" Lou used her full name, hoping to get her attention.
Elizabeth once more replied on how she found out. "I met his fiancée at the store when we went in for supplies." she spoke quieter now, her emotions becoming numb, as she related the story to Lou. "Her name is Jenny, I think, I can't remember. I was so shocked, and upset. At first, he called her by another name. It sounded like an Indian name, but she sure didn't look Indian to me. She is blond, though, so at least I know why he pretended to like me."
"Jenny's home?" Lou's face lit up for a brief second, then realizing that this was who Elizabeth thought was Buck's fiancée', she smiled, and started to giggle. Seeing the look of horror on Elizabeth's face, Lou tried to stop giggling. In fact, she put her hands on her own mouth, and shook her head. Finally, when Lou was able to speak, Elizabeth got up to leave, obviously hurt at Lou's reaction to her pain.
"Elizabeth, wait," Lou pleaded with the girl. "I'm sorry I was laughing, but I wasn't really laughing at you. I was laughing at the thought of how Buck must have looked when you thought he was engaged to Eagle Feather." She noticed the girl's face had become flushed. "He does know that you think he's engaged to her, doesn't he?"
Dreading what she might hear, yet hopeful at the same time, Elizabeth asked. "Eagle Feather and Jenny, they're the same person, right?" As Lou nodded, Elizabeth continued. "Are you telling me that she and, and..., and Buck, aren't engaged to be married?" Saying his name made her feel a bit self-conscious, as she remembered the slap, she had delivered to him.
Lou noticed how uncomfortable Elizabeth looked, and patted the step beside her. Elizabeth sat back down, all sorts of thoughts running through her head at this moment.
"Jenny and Buck go a ways back." Lou started to explain the relationship between Tompkins' daughter and the Kiowa. "Jenny is Mr. Tompkins' daughter, and Buck helped rescue her and her mother from the Lakota after they had been missing for seven years. Everybody had assumed they had been killed. Mr. Tompkins had searched for a long time for them, before giving them up for dead. The army, with Buck's help, found several white captives who were still alive, and rescued them from the Lakota, also. He will have to tell you the whole story, but to make things short, Jenny went back East to live after her mother died. She met this man who wants to be a farmer, and he wants to live out here. So, they plan on getting married in Rock Creek, and settling down here. Jenny's been writing to Buck since she left, but as a good friend, nothing more." As Lou recounted how Buck and Jenny knew each other, Elizabeth was feeling dumber all the time.
“What happened in town?” she asked while rubbing her friend’s back.
“Men...are...scum...” sobbed Elizabeth.
Feeling very confused, Lou carefully asked. "Did something happen between you and Buck while you were in town?" Although in her mind she couldn't imagine a thing Buck would do to upset this girl, he even went out of his way to be kind to those who were not sure he belonged here.
Elizabeth pulled back out of Lou's arms, sniffling, and looked at the woman. How could Lou have encouraged her to hope for a courtship with Buck, when surely Lou had to know of his upcoming marriage. Her eyes must have given away how betrayed she felt, because Lou's eyes got big.
"What is it? What's wrong Lizbeth? If you don't tell me, I can't help you. You look hurt, and angry, and I just want to know why." Lou reached for the girl face with her hand, but Elizabeth backed away from her.
"How could you? I trusted you. I'm usually a good judge of character, and when I first met you, you seemed so honest, and so true. Why would you want to set me up like that? Does it make you feel good to see others hurt?" Elizabeth's voice rose as she continued to let her feelings out.
"What are you talking about?"
"That, that.......man. You had to know he was engaged you live here in the same place with him. He told me you and Kid were pretty much the only family he had, so how could you not know about something as important as this?" Elizabeth tried to hold the tears back that threatened to fall again, as she thought about what had just occurred in town only minutes ago.
Lou was shocked. "Are you talking about Buck, our Buck?" The look in Elizabeth's eyes told Lou that this was exactly who she was talking about. "Who told you this?"
"Well, it certainly wasn't.............him." Elizabeth couldn't bring herself to say Buck's name, for fear that she would just break down all over again. She sat down on the step, putting her face in her hands. "I met his fiancée at the general store this morning." she mumbled.
"You what?" Lou could barely hear what the other girl said, so she attempted to lower her swollen body down beside Elizabeth on the step, glancing back at the swing to make sure her son was still okay. ‘I'll never get back up from here,’ Lou thought to herself, as she took a deep breath, and let it out, before finally finding a semi-comfortable position.
"Now, what did you just say? And this time, without your hands covering your mouth, please." Lou took Elizabeth's hands down away from her tear streaked face.
Elizabeth stared at the woman sitting alongside her. Could it be that Lou maybe didn't know? No, if Rachel knew, then Lou would have to know, it wasn't like this would be something everybody would want to keep away from Lou because of her delicate pregnancy. Besides, wouldn't this have been in the works before Lou became pregnant, anyway?
"Elizabeth?" Lou used her full name, hoping to get her attention.
Elizabeth once more replied on how she found out. "I met his fiancée at the store when we went in for supplies." she spoke quieter now, her emotions becoming numb, as she related the story to Lou. "Her name is Jenny, I think, I can't remember. I was so shocked, and upset. At first, he called her by another name. It sounded like an Indian name, but she sure didn't look Indian to me. She is blond, though, so at least I know why he pretended to like me."
"Jenny's home?" Lou's face lit up for a brief second, then realizing that this was who Elizabeth thought was Buck's fiancée', she smiled, and started to giggle. Seeing the look of horror on Elizabeth's face, Lou tried to stop giggling. In fact, she put her hands on her own mouth, and shook her head. Finally, when Lou was able to speak, Elizabeth got up to leave, obviously hurt at Lou's reaction to her pain.
"Elizabeth, wait," Lou pleaded with the girl. "I'm sorry I was laughing, but I wasn't really laughing at you. I was laughing at the thought of how Buck must have looked when you thought he was engaged to Eagle Feather." She noticed the girl's face had become flushed. "He does know that you think he's engaged to her, doesn't he?"
Dreading what she might hear, yet hopeful at the same time, Elizabeth asked. "Eagle Feather and Jenny, they're the same person, right?" As Lou nodded, Elizabeth continued. "Are you telling me that she and, and..., and Buck, aren't engaged to be married?" Saying his name made her feel a bit self-conscious, as she remembered the slap, she had delivered to him.
Lou noticed how uncomfortable Elizabeth looked, and patted the step beside her. Elizabeth sat back down, all sorts of thoughts running through her head at this moment.
"Jenny and Buck go a ways back." Lou started to explain the relationship between Tompkins' daughter and the Kiowa. "Jenny is Mr. Tompkins' daughter, and Buck helped rescue her and her mother from the Lakota after they had been missing for seven years. Everybody had assumed they had been killed. Mr. Tompkins had searched for a long time for them, before giving them up for dead. The army, with Buck's help, found several white captives who were still alive, and rescued them from the Lakota, also. He will have to tell you the whole story, but to make things short, Jenny went back East to live after her mother died. She met this man who wants to be a farmer, and he wants to live out here. So, they plan on getting married in Rock Creek, and settling down here. Jenny's been writing to Buck since she left, but as a good friend, nothing more." As Lou recounted how Buck and Jenny knew each other, Elizabeth was feeling dumber all the time.
Chapter Fourteen
"Oh, my goodness, what have I done then?" She glanced at Lou, who was breathing strangely. "Lou, are you okay?"
"I think I need some help getting to my bed. That is if I can even get off this step." Lou grinned, but it was evident that she was in pain.
Seeing Kid over at the corrals, Elizabeth hollered to him. He came running over to the house. Helping Elizabeth gently lift Lou up from her sitting position, he instructed her to get Noah, as he lifted Lou up into his arms, and began carrying her back into the house, and up the stairs to their bedroom.
As Elizabeth was lifting the still tired little boy from the porch swing, she heard footsteps come up onto the porch. Before she could go inside, Buck gently grabbed her arm, forcing her to turn and look at him. She grimaced as she saw the faint line of a welt on his cheek where she had slapped him earlier. Though his eyes weren't angry, he wasn't smiling either.
"I have to take Noah up to his room. Lou started to feel pain again, and Kid's up there with her right now." Elizabeth spoke with her eyes downcast, not wanting to look at the man she may have wrongly accused of seducing her. As she turned to go into the house, Buck held the door for her.
Before letting the door close, he suggested. "Beth, I think we need to talk." With that he let the door shut tightly, and turned and walked off the porch; heading for the corral. Elizabeth turned her head slightly to watch him go.
"Lizbeth, I need some fresh water and a new towel." Kid hollered down to her, panic in his voice. "Hurry, please."
Elizabeth quickly put Noah James on the settee in the sitting room and rushed to get the towels and water Kid had asked for.
When she walked into the room Elizabeth saw the pain on Lou’s face and inwardly winced. She handed the towels and bowl of water to Kid and asked “Should I ask Buck to go for the doctor?” Kid was very pale and just nodded to Elizabeth.
With that Elizabeth turned and ran down the stairs and out the door and started calling for Buck. “Buck, Buck where are you? Kid needs you to go for the doctor. Something’s wrong with Lou and the baby.” Elizabeth nerves that were already on edge from the trip to Tompkins store were now on the verge of hysterics.
Buck came out of the barn with Warrior already saddled. Buck walked him over to Elizabeth and put his hand on her face and gently caressed her cheek with his thumb then quickly mounted Warrior and kicked him into a gallop and rode out of the yard.
About ten minutes later Buck returned with Doc Barnes. Elizabeth who was sitting on the porch swing with Noah James quickly stood and opened the door for the doctor. The doctor rushed up the stairs and went into the master bedroom then shut the door.
Noah James started to cry for his mother. Buck tethered Warrior to the hitching post and ran up the stairs to hold Noah James to give him some comfort. “Shhh little man it’s going to be alright.” Buck said calmly to the frightened little boy. As he was saying this, he sat down on the porch swing with Noah where Elizabeth sat stoically. Buck sensed Elizabeth’s distress and put his arm around her and said “Beth I’m sorry.” With that said Elizabeth put her head on Buck’s shoulder and they waited patiently for the doctor to give word about Louise.
"I think I need some help getting to my bed. That is if I can even get off this step." Lou grinned, but it was evident that she was in pain.
Seeing Kid over at the corrals, Elizabeth hollered to him. He came running over to the house. Helping Elizabeth gently lift Lou up from her sitting position, he instructed her to get Noah, as he lifted Lou up into his arms, and began carrying her back into the house, and up the stairs to their bedroom.
As Elizabeth was lifting the still tired little boy from the porch swing, she heard footsteps come up onto the porch. Before she could go inside, Buck gently grabbed her arm, forcing her to turn and look at him. She grimaced as she saw the faint line of a welt on his cheek where she had slapped him earlier. Though his eyes weren't angry, he wasn't smiling either.
"I have to take Noah up to his room. Lou started to feel pain again, and Kid's up there with her right now." Elizabeth spoke with her eyes downcast, not wanting to look at the man she may have wrongly accused of seducing her. As she turned to go into the house, Buck held the door for her.
Before letting the door close, he suggested. "Beth, I think we need to talk." With that he let the door shut tightly, and turned and walked off the porch; heading for the corral. Elizabeth turned her head slightly to watch him go.
"Lizbeth, I need some fresh water and a new towel." Kid hollered down to her, panic in his voice. "Hurry, please."
Elizabeth quickly put Noah James on the settee in the sitting room and rushed to get the towels and water Kid had asked for.
When she walked into the room Elizabeth saw the pain on Lou’s face and inwardly winced. She handed the towels and bowl of water to Kid and asked “Should I ask Buck to go for the doctor?” Kid was very pale and just nodded to Elizabeth.
With that Elizabeth turned and ran down the stairs and out the door and started calling for Buck. “Buck, Buck where are you? Kid needs you to go for the doctor. Something’s wrong with Lou and the baby.” Elizabeth nerves that were already on edge from the trip to Tompkins store were now on the verge of hysterics.
Buck came out of the barn with Warrior already saddled. Buck walked him over to Elizabeth and put his hand on her face and gently caressed her cheek with his thumb then quickly mounted Warrior and kicked him into a gallop and rode out of the yard.
About ten minutes later Buck returned with Doc Barnes. Elizabeth who was sitting on the porch swing with Noah James quickly stood and opened the door for the doctor. The doctor rushed up the stairs and went into the master bedroom then shut the door.
Noah James started to cry for his mother. Buck tethered Warrior to the hitching post and ran up the stairs to hold Noah James to give him some comfort. “Shhh little man it’s going to be alright.” Buck said calmly to the frightened little boy. As he was saying this, he sat down on the porch swing with Noah where Elizabeth sat stoically. Buck sensed Elizabeth’s distress and put his arm around her and said “Beth I’m sorry.” With that said Elizabeth put her head on Buck’s shoulder and they waited patiently for the doctor to give word about Louise.
Chapter Fifteen
The wait seemed to go on for an eternity and both were worried. Noah had fallen asleep in Buck's lap, the boy's small thumb securely in his mouth.
"Beth, I'm sorry for not introducing you to Jenny and... for kissing her on the cheek..." Buck looked down on his hands, trying to figure out what else to say. "I didn't do right by you and I'm sorry."
"Buck..." Elizabeth put a hand on his arm to stop him from speaking. "Lou explained to me that you and Jenny are just friends, that you go way back. That there is nothing romantic going on between you two. In a way I'm glad, because that mean’s I get to keep you all to myself."
Buck rose a brow at that and then his mouth broke into a wide grin. "I'm glad you think that way." He was just about to lean in to kiss her when Kid came running out the door.
"It was only a scare," he gasped.
Buck and Elizabeth both looked up at the same time.
"What did Doc say?" Buck asked.
"He said now that she's further along, that's gonna happen sometimes. He said her body has to stretch to make room for the baby so..."
"But this isn't her first. I don't understand. Did this happen with Noah too?"
Kid shook his head. "Doc said every time is different." He leaned against the wall and sighed. "I don't know if I can go through this again...I'm so worried about her."
Buck stood up and put an arm around his friend. "Come on, let's go in and see how she's doing."
Elizabeth smiled as she watched the two men walk down the hall in front of her. It was obvious that Kid relied on Buck for more than just help with the ranch. They really were family.
"Beth, I'm sorry for not introducing you to Jenny and... for kissing her on the cheek..." Buck looked down on his hands, trying to figure out what else to say. "I didn't do right by you and I'm sorry."
"Buck..." Elizabeth put a hand on his arm to stop him from speaking. "Lou explained to me that you and Jenny are just friends, that you go way back. That there is nothing romantic going on between you two. In a way I'm glad, because that mean’s I get to keep you all to myself."
Buck rose a brow at that and then his mouth broke into a wide grin. "I'm glad you think that way." He was just about to lean in to kiss her when Kid came running out the door.
"It was only a scare," he gasped.
Buck and Elizabeth both looked up at the same time.
"What did Doc say?" Buck asked.
"He said now that she's further along, that's gonna happen sometimes. He said her body has to stretch to make room for the baby so..."
"But this isn't her first. I don't understand. Did this happen with Noah too?"
Kid shook his head. "Doc said every time is different." He leaned against the wall and sighed. "I don't know if I can go through this again...I'm so worried about her."
Buck stood up and put an arm around his friend. "Come on, let's go in and see how she's doing."
Elizabeth smiled as she watched the two men walk down the hall in front of her. It was obvious that Kid relied on Buck for more than just help with the ranch. They really were family.
Chapter Sixteen
Sitting up in bed, Louise looked a bit pale, but otherwise seemed fine.
"Now just because this wasn't serious Louise, that don't mean you can be up runnin' around. You're to stay in bed. Understand?"
Louise nodded mutely.
"Sayin' and doin' is two different things Doc."
"Well you try stayin' in bed day and night for six months and see how you like it!" Louise snapped at her husband. Suddenly tears welled up in her eyes.
Now Kid felt guilty for the comment he'd made. He knew this was hard on Lou. She was used to being busy all the time.
"I'm sorry sweetheart." He made his way over to the bed to take her in his arms. "I'm just worried about you, and the baby. You gotta do what Doc says."
"I'm trying!" Louise sobbed.
Elizabeth suddenly felt as if she'd intruded on a very private moment, and excused herself to check on Noah. As she slipped out the door, she heard the doctor talking to Buck.
"You think you could make her some of that tea? That would help her sleep more comfortably at night, and it won't harm the baby."
"Now just because this wasn't serious Louise, that don't mean you can be up runnin' around. You're to stay in bed. Understand?"
Louise nodded mutely.
"Sayin' and doin' is two different things Doc."
"Well you try stayin' in bed day and night for six months and see how you like it!" Louise snapped at her husband. Suddenly tears welled up in her eyes.
Now Kid felt guilty for the comment he'd made. He knew this was hard on Lou. She was used to being busy all the time.
"I'm sorry sweetheart." He made his way over to the bed to take her in his arms. "I'm just worried about you, and the baby. You gotta do what Doc says."
"I'm trying!" Louise sobbed.
Elizabeth suddenly felt as if she'd intruded on a very private moment, and excused herself to check on Noah. As she slipped out the door, she heard the doctor talking to Buck.
"You think you could make her some of that tea? That would help her sleep more comfortably at night, and it won't harm the baby."
Chapter Seventeen
A short time later, Elizabeth was down in the parlor, straightening some things up when she heard Buck walking the doctor out.
"Thanks Doc. We'll keep an eye on her."
"I'm gonna stop by day after tomorrow just to check on her."
Their voices faded as the front door shut behind them.
It was almost dinner time now, so Elizabeth went up to check on Kid and Lou.
"She's asleep now. I ain't too hungry myself." Kid smiled at her. "If you can keep an eye on Noah for tonight I'd like to just stick close to my wife for the evening."
"Of course. Let me know if you need anything."
As she started down the stairs, she heard Noah crying. She headed to his room and picked the little boy off of his bed.
"Mama sick?" the little boy asked, his brown eyes big and worried.
"She's alright sweetie. She's just resting."
She took the little boy down stairs and set him down on the kitchen floor to play as she started fixing his dinner.
Buck stepped up to open the back door, but stopped when he saw Elizabeth in the kitchen. He hung back, watching her.
Elizabeth moved around the kitchen, preparing a meal for herself and Noah, all the while talking softly to the boy.
It seemed that often, Elizabeth was nervous around Buck, and he knew that she thought of herself as clumsy. At this moment, however, unaware that she was being watched, Elizabeth had an air of quiet confidence and grace. She was taller than most girls, and Buck thought to himself that she probably had beautiful long legs. He pushed that thought aside. Despite the obvious attraction between them, he still doubted anything could really come of it.
Just then, as though she felt his eyes on her, Elizabeth turned and saw him standing at the back door.
"Hi." he smiled.
Elizabeth jumped slightly, then let out a sigh of relief. "I wish you wouldn't sneak up on me like that." she smiled too.
"Sorry. I just didn't want to disturb you. Buck opened the door and stepped into the kitchen. Noah ran to him and Buck picked the child up in his arms, gladly accepting a kiss from the boy.
"How's Lou?"
"Mama's sleep." Noah told him.
"Did I miss dinner?"
"Actually, you're just in time."
"Thanks Doc. We'll keep an eye on her."
"I'm gonna stop by day after tomorrow just to check on her."
Their voices faded as the front door shut behind them.
It was almost dinner time now, so Elizabeth went up to check on Kid and Lou.
"She's asleep now. I ain't too hungry myself." Kid smiled at her. "If you can keep an eye on Noah for tonight I'd like to just stick close to my wife for the evening."
"Of course. Let me know if you need anything."
As she started down the stairs, she heard Noah crying. She headed to his room and picked the little boy off of his bed.
"Mama sick?" the little boy asked, his brown eyes big and worried.
"She's alright sweetie. She's just resting."
She took the little boy down stairs and set him down on the kitchen floor to play as she started fixing his dinner.
Buck stepped up to open the back door, but stopped when he saw Elizabeth in the kitchen. He hung back, watching her.
Elizabeth moved around the kitchen, preparing a meal for herself and Noah, all the while talking softly to the boy.
It seemed that often, Elizabeth was nervous around Buck, and he knew that she thought of herself as clumsy. At this moment, however, unaware that she was being watched, Elizabeth had an air of quiet confidence and grace. She was taller than most girls, and Buck thought to himself that she probably had beautiful long legs. He pushed that thought aside. Despite the obvious attraction between them, he still doubted anything could really come of it.
Just then, as though she felt his eyes on her, Elizabeth turned and saw him standing at the back door.
"Hi." he smiled.
Elizabeth jumped slightly, then let out a sigh of relief. "I wish you wouldn't sneak up on me like that." she smiled too.
"Sorry. I just didn't want to disturb you. Buck opened the door and stepped into the kitchen. Noah ran to him and Buck picked the child up in his arms, gladly accepting a kiss from the boy.
"How's Lou?"
"Mama's sleep." Noah told him.
"Did I miss dinner?"
"Actually, you're just in time."
Chapter Eighteen
The three enjoyed dinner together, with Buck and Elizabeth talking about nothing in particular, mostly watching Noah and laughing at his antics. Buck could see that Lizbeth was quickly becoming attached to the child, and that fact made her even more attractive to him.
As they cleaned up after the meal, Kid came down the stairs.
"Hey, Buck. Everything Ok?"
Buck nodded. "I just gotta finish up the chores for the night. That's it.
Kid seemed relieved, not having to worry about work, at least for the moment.
"You think you could make some of that tea for Lou. She's awake, and feelin' pretty restless."
"Sure."
Kid smiled his thanks, and waited for Elizabeth to fix him a plate as he cuddled his son. Soon he headed back upstairs, taking Noah to see his mother.
"How do you make this tea?" Elizabeth asked.
Buck smiled at her. "Come on, I'll show you." Putting his hand at the small of her back, he began to lead Elizabeth outside. Just before they stepped out the back door, she stopped.
"Buck...wait."
"What is it?"
Elizabeth shook her head as if to clear it. "There's something I need to say to you first. I just... I wanted to apologize for the way I acted earlier today."
Buck looked at her curiously. "You didn't do anything wrong. I should've explained to you...."
"Jenny is your friend." Lizbeth interrupted. "We've only just met, and I had no right to...to assume there was something between us."
"Don't you think there is Beth?"
His voice always made her weak in the knees. And the way he said her name. All logical thought flew right out of her head.
"There is what?" she asked.
"Something between us?"
He was standing close to her already, and now it seemed he leaned closer still, looking at her with those dark soulful eyes. Then she felt his hand at her waist.
"I... I can't believe I hit you." It was the first thing that came to her mind, so she said it.
Buck smiled. "You've got a pretty good right hook." he admitted.
"Does it still hurt?"
"A little." Buck's eyes twinkled when he saw the look of concern on Elizabeth's face.
"I'm so sorry!" Automatically, she reached up to touch his cheek, but then pulled her hand away when she realized what she was doing.
"Can I do anything...?"
"Well..." Buck thought for a moment, a serious look on his face. "A kiss usually works for Noah when he's hurt."
Elizabeth blinked at him. "A kiss."
Buck nodded, he was trying to feign seriousness, but a smile threatened to break through.
"Uh huh. Right here." He touched his cheek bone and leaned a bit closer, so that Elizabeth could see the spot that needed her attention.
Elizabeth bit her lip, trying not to laugh. She'd never had a man flirt with her before. At least, she thought that's what Buck was doing.
Very carefully, she leaned up and brushed her lips against the smooth warm skin of Buck's cheek. She felt like her heart was going to beat right out of her chest.
"How does that feel?" she asked.
"Better. But I think I need one more...just to be safe."
As Buck answered her question, the warmth of his breath fell on her exposed neck, sending chills down her spine, and making it hard for her to breathe. The fact that Lizbeth's heart was pounding so hard, she could swear a person would see it beating through the fabric of her dress from a mile away, didn't help the situation any either. She decided to just play along with this game of Buck's, and leaned toward his cheek again, closing her eyes as she moved to place her lips on the very spot her hand had struck earlier. As she anticipated her lips meeting his soft skin again, she wasn't prepared when he turned his head and met her mouth with his. Stunned she pulled back and looked at Buck, but as she noticed the smile playing across his face, and the look of longing in his brown eyes, she relaxed, and let him draw her closer to him, lips meeting again. His mouth covered hers as he savored the flavor of first her top lip, then her bottom one, finally drawing a gasp from her, as he penetrated her soul with the forcefulness of the kiss, holding her body with one hand while pulling her head closer to him with the other. Elizabeth could feel her senses give way, and hungrily sought his lips with her own, searching for the way out of this feeling, yet never wanting it to end. The thought that they could stay like this forever, was abruptly interrupted, as Buck's tongue tried to push past her lips. Scared, Elizabeth pulled away.
"No, no Buck, I can't. I'm sorry." Lizbeth lowered her head, afraid that she probably had offended him.
Buck took his finger, and placed it under her chin, lifting her head so that he could look into her eyes.
"It's okay Beth," he whispered. "I was pushing too hard. It's just that when I'm alone with you, I forget we haven't known each other very long. And, I guess, I'm afraid."
Confused by what he was saying, Lizbeth asked. "Afraid? Afraid of what?"
"Afraid of how I feel when I'm around you. Afraid of going somewhere that I don't belong, and ending up alone. I should just walk away from you, and keep on walking, but I can't. And that scares me." Buck's eyes seemed sincere.
Buck took Lizbeth by the hand, and led her to the swing on the front porch. As he sat down, he patted the seat next to him, and Lizbeth gladly sat down by him. Not letting go of his hand, she lay her head on his shoulder, as he leaned his head back to look up at the stars. They sat like that for about half an hour before either one spoke. Then, Lizbeth couldn't stand the silence.
"Buck?" She looked to be sure he wasn't asleep before continuing. "Where do we go from here? Or, do you even believe there's an us to go anywhere with?"
Buck looked down into her blue eyes, and smiled. "I been thinking. I can't really leave the ranch, and I'm not about to ask Kid and Lou to make you leave, so; if you're willing to put up with me for a while, I'd like to see where we could go with this." He leaned down and kissed her forehead, as her eyes lit up, and a smile broke across her face. "I can't promise it'll be easy, and I won't hold you to any promises either, but I've heard it said, that whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Well, I'm hoping it won't come to that. I'm a firm believer though, if you don't go after something you want, you deserve to lose. If you do go after something, and you lose anyway, at least you can say you tried. I wanna try, Beth. What about you?" Buck waited for her to answer.
Beth swallowed the lump she held in her throat. "I've never had these, kind of feelings before, Buck. I'm not saying I don't like them, but they do scare me a bit, too. I hope you can be patient with me, because I, too, would like to see if something could come of you and me. It's just, I'm scared things are happening a bit fast, or maybe not fast enough. I hope you understand."
“I understand Beth. I promise I will be as patient as I can with you and we’ll go as slow or as fast as you want with this courtship stuff.”
Lizbeth's eyes widened when she heard him say it. Is this what she and Lou had talked about? Was Buck asking her if he could court her? Because she would almost feel better about everything that had been going on between them, if she could actually hear the words.
"Beth?" Buck touched her cheek, bringing her back to the present moment. "Did you hear me?"
She shook her head. "I'm sorry Buck, I was deep in thought, I guess. What was it you wanted?"
He didn't really want to have to ask a second time. Once was tough enough. It was one thing for a girl to let him kiss her, but when it came right down to the courting, all bets were off. He wasn't sure why he thought Beth would be any different than any of the other girls.
"Buck?" Now it was Lizbeth's turn to bring him back to the present. "Buck, please tell me what you wanted."
Taking a deep breath, Buck stood from the swing. When Lizbeth began to stand too, he gently pushed her back down. Holding her hand, he looked into her eyes, and something told him she wouldn't let him down.
"Beth, I wasn't going to ask this again. There's just something about you, that makes me believe. I want to know," he blew out another breath," I would like to know if you would allow me to court you." There, it was out; again.
Lizbeth's eyes got teary, and she leapt off the swing, throwing herself into Buck's arms.
"Yes, yes, I would love for us to be courted; I mean, I would love you to be courted by me," feeling her face get red, she finally finished." I would love to be courted by you." She was laughing and smiling, and crying at the same time.
Buck started laughing too. He loved the way she stammered and got her words all mixed up when she was excited. He grabbed her, and held her close enough to be able to look into her sparkling blue eyes.
"You know something Beth, I think I'm gonna like being courted by you." Buck winked at her, as he leaned in to take her lips once again with his. As they were sharing this kiss, the door opened.
"Ahem," Kid cleared his throat. "I hate to break up the party, but some of us are trying to sleep, and," He smiled sheepishly at the two," I believe you both have work to do in the morning, don't ya?"
With that said, Lizbeth excused herself, and headed to the door. Turning around, she ran back to Buck, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Good night," she walked away, then turned as Buck was leaving the porch. "And I mean that. It really was a good night." Smiling, she turned and continued up to her room.
Before Buck got off the porch, Kid stopped him.
"Buck, I just hope you know what you're doing." Buck turned around to look at his friend and business partner. "I mean, I'm behind you, if it's what you want, but I just don't want to see Lizbeth get hurt. Or you for that matter." Before Buck could retaliate, Kid walked back inside, and closed the door.
As they cleaned up after the meal, Kid came down the stairs.
"Hey, Buck. Everything Ok?"
Buck nodded. "I just gotta finish up the chores for the night. That's it.
Kid seemed relieved, not having to worry about work, at least for the moment.
"You think you could make some of that tea for Lou. She's awake, and feelin' pretty restless."
"Sure."
Kid smiled his thanks, and waited for Elizabeth to fix him a plate as he cuddled his son. Soon he headed back upstairs, taking Noah to see his mother.
"How do you make this tea?" Elizabeth asked.
Buck smiled at her. "Come on, I'll show you." Putting his hand at the small of her back, he began to lead Elizabeth outside. Just before they stepped out the back door, she stopped.
"Buck...wait."
"What is it?"
Elizabeth shook her head as if to clear it. "There's something I need to say to you first. I just... I wanted to apologize for the way I acted earlier today."
Buck looked at her curiously. "You didn't do anything wrong. I should've explained to you...."
"Jenny is your friend." Lizbeth interrupted. "We've only just met, and I had no right to...to assume there was something between us."
"Don't you think there is Beth?"
His voice always made her weak in the knees. And the way he said her name. All logical thought flew right out of her head.
"There is what?" she asked.
"Something between us?"
He was standing close to her already, and now it seemed he leaned closer still, looking at her with those dark soulful eyes. Then she felt his hand at her waist.
"I... I can't believe I hit you." It was the first thing that came to her mind, so she said it.
Buck smiled. "You've got a pretty good right hook." he admitted.
"Does it still hurt?"
"A little." Buck's eyes twinkled when he saw the look of concern on Elizabeth's face.
"I'm so sorry!" Automatically, she reached up to touch his cheek, but then pulled her hand away when she realized what she was doing.
"Can I do anything...?"
"Well..." Buck thought for a moment, a serious look on his face. "A kiss usually works for Noah when he's hurt."
Elizabeth blinked at him. "A kiss."
Buck nodded, he was trying to feign seriousness, but a smile threatened to break through.
"Uh huh. Right here." He touched his cheek bone and leaned a bit closer, so that Elizabeth could see the spot that needed her attention.
Elizabeth bit her lip, trying not to laugh. She'd never had a man flirt with her before. At least, she thought that's what Buck was doing.
Very carefully, she leaned up and brushed her lips against the smooth warm skin of Buck's cheek. She felt like her heart was going to beat right out of her chest.
"How does that feel?" she asked.
"Better. But I think I need one more...just to be safe."
As Buck answered her question, the warmth of his breath fell on her exposed neck, sending chills down her spine, and making it hard for her to breathe. The fact that Lizbeth's heart was pounding so hard, she could swear a person would see it beating through the fabric of her dress from a mile away, didn't help the situation any either. She decided to just play along with this game of Buck's, and leaned toward his cheek again, closing her eyes as she moved to place her lips on the very spot her hand had struck earlier. As she anticipated her lips meeting his soft skin again, she wasn't prepared when he turned his head and met her mouth with his. Stunned she pulled back and looked at Buck, but as she noticed the smile playing across his face, and the look of longing in his brown eyes, she relaxed, and let him draw her closer to him, lips meeting again. His mouth covered hers as he savored the flavor of first her top lip, then her bottom one, finally drawing a gasp from her, as he penetrated her soul with the forcefulness of the kiss, holding her body with one hand while pulling her head closer to him with the other. Elizabeth could feel her senses give way, and hungrily sought his lips with her own, searching for the way out of this feeling, yet never wanting it to end. The thought that they could stay like this forever, was abruptly interrupted, as Buck's tongue tried to push past her lips. Scared, Elizabeth pulled away.
"No, no Buck, I can't. I'm sorry." Lizbeth lowered her head, afraid that she probably had offended him.
Buck took his finger, and placed it under her chin, lifting her head so that he could look into her eyes.
"It's okay Beth," he whispered. "I was pushing too hard. It's just that when I'm alone with you, I forget we haven't known each other very long. And, I guess, I'm afraid."
Confused by what he was saying, Lizbeth asked. "Afraid? Afraid of what?"
"Afraid of how I feel when I'm around you. Afraid of going somewhere that I don't belong, and ending up alone. I should just walk away from you, and keep on walking, but I can't. And that scares me." Buck's eyes seemed sincere.
Buck took Lizbeth by the hand, and led her to the swing on the front porch. As he sat down, he patted the seat next to him, and Lizbeth gladly sat down by him. Not letting go of his hand, she lay her head on his shoulder, as he leaned his head back to look up at the stars. They sat like that for about half an hour before either one spoke. Then, Lizbeth couldn't stand the silence.
"Buck?" She looked to be sure he wasn't asleep before continuing. "Where do we go from here? Or, do you even believe there's an us to go anywhere with?"
Buck looked down into her blue eyes, and smiled. "I been thinking. I can't really leave the ranch, and I'm not about to ask Kid and Lou to make you leave, so; if you're willing to put up with me for a while, I'd like to see where we could go with this." He leaned down and kissed her forehead, as her eyes lit up, and a smile broke across her face. "I can't promise it'll be easy, and I won't hold you to any promises either, but I've heard it said, that whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Well, I'm hoping it won't come to that. I'm a firm believer though, if you don't go after something you want, you deserve to lose. If you do go after something, and you lose anyway, at least you can say you tried. I wanna try, Beth. What about you?" Buck waited for her to answer.
Beth swallowed the lump she held in her throat. "I've never had these, kind of feelings before, Buck. I'm not saying I don't like them, but they do scare me a bit, too. I hope you can be patient with me, because I, too, would like to see if something could come of you and me. It's just, I'm scared things are happening a bit fast, or maybe not fast enough. I hope you understand."
“I understand Beth. I promise I will be as patient as I can with you and we’ll go as slow or as fast as you want with this courtship stuff.”
Lizbeth's eyes widened when she heard him say it. Is this what she and Lou had talked about? Was Buck asking her if he could court her? Because she would almost feel better about everything that had been going on between them, if she could actually hear the words.
"Beth?" Buck touched her cheek, bringing her back to the present moment. "Did you hear me?"
She shook her head. "I'm sorry Buck, I was deep in thought, I guess. What was it you wanted?"
He didn't really want to have to ask a second time. Once was tough enough. It was one thing for a girl to let him kiss her, but when it came right down to the courting, all bets were off. He wasn't sure why he thought Beth would be any different than any of the other girls.
"Buck?" Now it was Lizbeth's turn to bring him back to the present. "Buck, please tell me what you wanted."
Taking a deep breath, Buck stood from the swing. When Lizbeth began to stand too, he gently pushed her back down. Holding her hand, he looked into her eyes, and something told him she wouldn't let him down.
"Beth, I wasn't going to ask this again. There's just something about you, that makes me believe. I want to know," he blew out another breath," I would like to know if you would allow me to court you." There, it was out; again.
Lizbeth's eyes got teary, and she leapt off the swing, throwing herself into Buck's arms.
"Yes, yes, I would love for us to be courted; I mean, I would love you to be courted by me," feeling her face get red, she finally finished." I would love to be courted by you." She was laughing and smiling, and crying at the same time.
Buck started laughing too. He loved the way she stammered and got her words all mixed up when she was excited. He grabbed her, and held her close enough to be able to look into her sparkling blue eyes.
"You know something Beth, I think I'm gonna like being courted by you." Buck winked at her, as he leaned in to take her lips once again with his. As they were sharing this kiss, the door opened.
"Ahem," Kid cleared his throat. "I hate to break up the party, but some of us are trying to sleep, and," He smiled sheepishly at the two," I believe you both have work to do in the morning, don't ya?"
With that said, Lizbeth excused herself, and headed to the door. Turning around, she ran back to Buck, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Good night," she walked away, then turned as Buck was leaving the porch. "And I mean that. It really was a good night." Smiling, she turned and continued up to her room.
Before Buck got off the porch, Kid stopped him.
"Buck, I just hope you know what you're doing." Buck turned around to look at his friend and business partner. "I mean, I'm behind you, if it's what you want, but I just don't want to see Lizbeth get hurt. Or you for that matter." Before Buck could retaliate, Kid walked back inside, and closed the door.
Chapter Nineteen
The next day was Sunday and it was a slow day at the ranch. Kid decided to spend the day with Lou and Noah James up in the master bedroom so Lou wouldn’t over, do it. Elizabeth had just finished the laundry and was hanging the sheets out to dry when Buck came up behind her grabbing her and making her yelp. He gave her a heated kiss just at the same moment her parents drove up in the buckboard and saw the whole thing. Buck and Elizabeth were so wrapped up in their own world that they didn’t hear her father walking up to them until he was right behind them. “What in the Hell do you think you’re doing to my girl Injun?!?”
Buck and Elizabeth quickly turned around to see her family standing there. All Elizabeth could choke out was “Papa!”
In the next moment Mr. Sturgis struck his daughter in the face making her fall to the ground. While all this was happening, Kid had heard the Sturgis family drive up and went down stairs to investigate. Kid got there just in time to see Mr. Sturgis strike Elizabeth. Buck was about to hit Mr. Sturgis when Kid got to where they were standing and was in between the two men instantly.
Buck automatically crouched down to check on Beth. “Beth are you alright? Can you stand up honey?” With hearing this Mr. Sturgis tried to get to Elizabeth to shake some sense into her. But, was stopped by Kid again.
Elizabeth was knocked out by the hit her father had given her and her mother and Buck were trying to revive her.
“Why won’t she wake up?” Mrs. Sturgis cried when her daughter failed to open her eyes.
Buck put his hand up to the side of her head and came back with blood. “She’s hit her head on a rock.” Buck answered. He was so mad at Mr. Sturgis that he stalked up to him and said “You, bastard look what you’ve done to her. She’s unconscious.”
Zander Sturgis was just standing by the buckboard in shock. He couldn’t believe that his father had struck his sister.
Buck immediately picked up Elizabeth and placed her in the Sturgis’ wagon and said to Mrs. Sturgis “If you want to know if you daughter will wake up, you’d better hurry up and get in the wagon. I’m taking her to the doc.” Zander helped his mother into the back of the wagon where Elizabeth lay and then he jumped up on the seat with Buck. With that Buck took off toward Doc Barnes’ office.
Kid was so angry that he told Mr. Sturgis “Get off my property or I’ll have Teaspoon down here to arrest you for assault.” Kid wished he could do it himself but he was off duty at the moment. Mr. Sturgis was red as a beet and stormed off to town to see about his daughter. Kid heard Louise calling him so he went into the house to explain what happened outside. He knew there was nothing more he could do for now.
Buck was a mess. He was pacing inside Doc Barnes’ waiting room like a caged tiger. Mrs. Sturgis was sitting in a chair crying while Zander held his mother’s hand.
After ten minutes Doc Barnes came out into the waiting room “She has a pretty bad bump on her head but she’s awake.” he told them. “She has a concussion so she will need to be monitored for a day or two. She’s asking for Buck. She said she doesn’t want to see anybody else.”
Buck let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding and rushed into the examination room. He looked in the room and saw his Beth she had a big bruise on her face and was looking very pale. He wanted to cry. He wanted to do to her father what he had done to Elizabeth. When she heard someone at the door, she opened her eyes and tried to smile but it hurt too much.
Buck walked up to the cot Beth lay in and smiled down at her. “How are you feeling? You sure gave me a scare.” Buck said as he sat down in the chair next to the bed. Elizabeth tried to speak, but the pain was too much for her. Buck understood this and said. “You don’t have to talk. I’m just glad you’re okay.” After he said that she closed her eyes and Buck called for the doctor.
The doc came in and explained “She needs to rest. She will need to be monitored for 2 days and nights.”
“Can she come back to the ranch I’m sure Rachel, Teaspoon, Kid and myself can take care of her in shifts.”
From the doorway Mrs. Sturgis said “Zander and I want to help too. If it would be alright? Buck knew that Elizabeth's mother was a kind woman and good mother so he agreed to having them help with Elizabeth’s care. Doc Barnes gave his approval to take her back to the ranch and said he’d be by in the morning.
While Mrs. Sturgis and Buck were getting Elizabeth settled in the wagon Mr. Sturgis was in the saloon getting thoroughly drunk. He wasn’t the type of man to drown his sorrows in a bottle of whiskey but the thought of Buck touching his girl and even kissing her was enough to make him stay in the saloon for days.
Buck and Anna Sturgis were slowly but surely making their way back to the ranch with a sleeping Elizabeth in the back of the buckboard. When Kid heard them drive up, he came out on the porch. He could see that his help was needed so he went to assist Buck with Elizabeth. Lou had heard the wagon approach and looked out the window, worry written all over her face. Noah James lay beside her sleeping for his morning nap. Lou was very concerned for her new friend and wanted to help in any way she could but she realized she couldn’t do much with her being on bed rest.
Buck carried Beth to her room on the second floor and gently laid her on her bed. Now it was time for Mrs. Sturgis to step in and get Elizabeth into her nightgown and settled into bed. “I have it from here gentlemen. I wonder if Zander was able to find Mr. Hunter and Mrs. Dunne in town? I hope they will want to help with Elizabeth’s care.” Mrs. Sturgis said.
Buck smiled at the mother of the woman he was growing to love more and more each day. “Don’t worry Mrs. Sturgis I’m sure Teaspoon and Rachael will want to help. They always help family and we consider Beth family.” Buck replied.
Mrs. Sturgis looked at the man who obviously loved her daughter and said, “I’m so happy that Elizabeth has found someone like you Mr. Cross. She is a special girl but some people don’t look at her that way. They see a too tall, spindly, shy girl that’s not worth the trouble to bring out of her shell. At least that’s what her father has said in the past. I don’t agree with him though. My daughter has the biggest heart I’ve seen in my lifetime. She just needed someone to bring her out of her shyness and let her spirit shine. You’re the one who did that Mr. Cross. You let her shine her brightest.” Buck just looked at the Elizabeth and blushed bright crimson. With that said Mrs. Sturgis shooed Buck out of the bedroom with a little swoosh of her hands.
Zander found Rachel at the church as the service was ending. He told Rachel about what happened to his sister at the hands of his father. Rachel said she would find Teaspoon and be over to the ranch right away.
Zander then ran to the old Pony Express Station that was now the McCloud Cross ranch. He saw Kid tending to the Sturgis’ horse and buckboard and asked “Mr. McCloud is it alright if I go into the house and check on my sister?”
Kid saw the love for his big sister and his eagerness to help and smiled at the boy. “It’s fine, her room is the one up the stairs on the left. Oh, and Zander we really appreciate you and your mother coming her to help with your sister after all that’s happened. Please call me Kid and my wife is Louise but everybody calls her Lou. We might have some fun stories to tell you and Elizabeth once she wakes up about the Pony Express. If you want to hear them.” Kid stated.
“Really? That would be great.” Zander beamed. Then he headed off into the house to check on his sister.
Buck and Elizabeth quickly turned around to see her family standing there. All Elizabeth could choke out was “Papa!”
In the next moment Mr. Sturgis struck his daughter in the face making her fall to the ground. While all this was happening, Kid had heard the Sturgis family drive up and went down stairs to investigate. Kid got there just in time to see Mr. Sturgis strike Elizabeth. Buck was about to hit Mr. Sturgis when Kid got to where they were standing and was in between the two men instantly.
Buck automatically crouched down to check on Beth. “Beth are you alright? Can you stand up honey?” With hearing this Mr. Sturgis tried to get to Elizabeth to shake some sense into her. But, was stopped by Kid again.
Elizabeth was knocked out by the hit her father had given her and her mother and Buck were trying to revive her.
“Why won’t she wake up?” Mrs. Sturgis cried when her daughter failed to open her eyes.
Buck put his hand up to the side of her head and came back with blood. “She’s hit her head on a rock.” Buck answered. He was so mad at Mr. Sturgis that he stalked up to him and said “You, bastard look what you’ve done to her. She’s unconscious.”
Zander Sturgis was just standing by the buckboard in shock. He couldn’t believe that his father had struck his sister.
Buck immediately picked up Elizabeth and placed her in the Sturgis’ wagon and said to Mrs. Sturgis “If you want to know if you daughter will wake up, you’d better hurry up and get in the wagon. I’m taking her to the doc.” Zander helped his mother into the back of the wagon where Elizabeth lay and then he jumped up on the seat with Buck. With that Buck took off toward Doc Barnes’ office.
Kid was so angry that he told Mr. Sturgis “Get off my property or I’ll have Teaspoon down here to arrest you for assault.” Kid wished he could do it himself but he was off duty at the moment. Mr. Sturgis was red as a beet and stormed off to town to see about his daughter. Kid heard Louise calling him so he went into the house to explain what happened outside. He knew there was nothing more he could do for now.
Buck was a mess. He was pacing inside Doc Barnes’ waiting room like a caged tiger. Mrs. Sturgis was sitting in a chair crying while Zander held his mother’s hand.
After ten minutes Doc Barnes came out into the waiting room “She has a pretty bad bump on her head but she’s awake.” he told them. “She has a concussion so she will need to be monitored for a day or two. She’s asking for Buck. She said she doesn’t want to see anybody else.”
Buck let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding and rushed into the examination room. He looked in the room and saw his Beth she had a big bruise on her face and was looking very pale. He wanted to cry. He wanted to do to her father what he had done to Elizabeth. When she heard someone at the door, she opened her eyes and tried to smile but it hurt too much.
Buck walked up to the cot Beth lay in and smiled down at her. “How are you feeling? You sure gave me a scare.” Buck said as he sat down in the chair next to the bed. Elizabeth tried to speak, but the pain was too much for her. Buck understood this and said. “You don’t have to talk. I’m just glad you’re okay.” After he said that she closed her eyes and Buck called for the doctor.
The doc came in and explained “She needs to rest. She will need to be monitored for 2 days and nights.”
“Can she come back to the ranch I’m sure Rachel, Teaspoon, Kid and myself can take care of her in shifts.”
From the doorway Mrs. Sturgis said “Zander and I want to help too. If it would be alright? Buck knew that Elizabeth's mother was a kind woman and good mother so he agreed to having them help with Elizabeth’s care. Doc Barnes gave his approval to take her back to the ranch and said he’d be by in the morning.
While Mrs. Sturgis and Buck were getting Elizabeth settled in the wagon Mr. Sturgis was in the saloon getting thoroughly drunk. He wasn’t the type of man to drown his sorrows in a bottle of whiskey but the thought of Buck touching his girl and even kissing her was enough to make him stay in the saloon for days.
Buck and Anna Sturgis were slowly but surely making their way back to the ranch with a sleeping Elizabeth in the back of the buckboard. When Kid heard them drive up, he came out on the porch. He could see that his help was needed so he went to assist Buck with Elizabeth. Lou had heard the wagon approach and looked out the window, worry written all over her face. Noah James lay beside her sleeping for his morning nap. Lou was very concerned for her new friend and wanted to help in any way she could but she realized she couldn’t do much with her being on bed rest.
Buck carried Beth to her room on the second floor and gently laid her on her bed. Now it was time for Mrs. Sturgis to step in and get Elizabeth into her nightgown and settled into bed. “I have it from here gentlemen. I wonder if Zander was able to find Mr. Hunter and Mrs. Dunne in town? I hope they will want to help with Elizabeth’s care.” Mrs. Sturgis said.
Buck smiled at the mother of the woman he was growing to love more and more each day. “Don’t worry Mrs. Sturgis I’m sure Teaspoon and Rachael will want to help. They always help family and we consider Beth family.” Buck replied.
Mrs. Sturgis looked at the man who obviously loved her daughter and said, “I’m so happy that Elizabeth has found someone like you Mr. Cross. She is a special girl but some people don’t look at her that way. They see a too tall, spindly, shy girl that’s not worth the trouble to bring out of her shell. At least that’s what her father has said in the past. I don’t agree with him though. My daughter has the biggest heart I’ve seen in my lifetime. She just needed someone to bring her out of her shyness and let her spirit shine. You’re the one who did that Mr. Cross. You let her shine her brightest.” Buck just looked at the Elizabeth and blushed bright crimson. With that said Mrs. Sturgis shooed Buck out of the bedroom with a little swoosh of her hands.
Zander found Rachel at the church as the service was ending. He told Rachel about what happened to his sister at the hands of his father. Rachel said she would find Teaspoon and be over to the ranch right away.
Zander then ran to the old Pony Express Station that was now the McCloud Cross ranch. He saw Kid tending to the Sturgis’ horse and buckboard and asked “Mr. McCloud is it alright if I go into the house and check on my sister?”
Kid saw the love for his big sister and his eagerness to help and smiled at the boy. “It’s fine, her room is the one up the stairs on the left. Oh, and Zander we really appreciate you and your mother coming her to help with your sister after all that’s happened. Please call me Kid and my wife is Louise but everybody calls her Lou. We might have some fun stories to tell you and Elizabeth once she wakes up about the Pony Express. If you want to hear them.” Kid stated.
“Really? That would be great.” Zander beamed. Then he headed off into the house to check on his sister.
Chapter Twenty
As evening approached, Elizabeth still hadn't awoken. "At least she's resting comfortably," Mrs. Sturgis said. "I'm hoping she'll wake up in the morning."
Buck sat next to her, watching as she tenderly stroked Elizabeth's cheek. He smiled at her and then stood. "I'm going to go pray," he said. "I'll be back before dark." He gently squeezed Mrs. Sturgis' shoulder and left the room.
After he left, Mrs. Sturgis called Zander to the room. "Sit here with your sister," she said. "I need to go talk to the Marshal." When her son looked at her with uncertainty, she said, "Just keep her cool. Wipe her face every once in a while, and talk to her. I know that will help her; tell her how much you want her to come back."
Zander nodded, and Mrs. Sturgis left in search of Teaspoon.
Mrs. Sturgis found Teaspoon sitting on the porch swing with his hat over his eyes resting. She cleared her throat and said “Marshal Hunter may I have a word with you.”
Teaspoon sat up and looked at the woman and replied “Certainly would you like to see some of the ranch while we talk?”
“Yes, that would be nice.” She replied. Teaspoon and Mrs. Sturgis walked off the porch and headed for the barn. “Marshal Hunter I would like to try to explain why what happened here with my husband and Elizabeth happened.” Elizabeth’s mother stated.
“Well I’d like to hear from you what went on this morning. Elizabeth was hurt and from what Buck and Kid told me it seems your husband is in the wrong. I don’t like to see a woman hurt by anyone especially her father.”
“Yes, I agree what Buck and Kid told you is true. My husband can be a very angry man and his temper can get away from him at times. I’m afraid that today was one of those times.” Mrs. Sturgis explained. “Maybe a bit of our family’s past history could help you understand my husband’s ways, but not excuse them.” Mrs. Sturgis asked. Teaspoon and Anna Sturgis stood at the corral as she got a far off look in her eyes.
“My husband Shane and I got married at a very young age. A year after we were married Elizabeth was born. We farmed in the state of Massachusetts for a while but my husband got itchy feet and he wanted to move out west. Elizabeth was 2 and I was 5 months pregnant with our second child. Shane was elated and couldn’t wait to see if he would have the son he’d always wanted. The wagon train we left with was run by a man that was hard on the animals and the people of the train. One of our horses got sick and we were left by the wagon train in the middle of nowhere and I was about to give birth. Shane was beyond scared but wouldn’t let on that he was. I still could tell though. Shane went off the day after the wagon train left us and went to go hunting for game to feed us because food was scarce. About half an hour after Shane left, I went into labor. Elizabeth was crying beside me because of my screams. I tried to deliver the baby myself but the cord got wrapped around his neck and he was not with the living when he was born. Shane was making his way back to the wagon when he was chased by a band of Indians on a hunt. He was on their land and shot one of them and because of this they started to chase after him. It took him all night and part of the next morning to get back to Elizabeth and I. When he heard nothing from the wagon, he approached it carefully and found what had happened the day before. It’s too horrific to speak of what he found, but he blamed the Indians that chased him and was never the same man I married after that. We buried William Stephen Sturgis the next day. Elizabeth wouldn’t let anyone near her for days she was so traumatized by what had happened. After that she became very introverted and shy around new people. That has stayed with her throughout her life. When we drove up this morning, I saw my little girl happy and not the timid girl who had left our farm to start a new job. I could tell just by the few minutes I saw her with Buck that she is a woman in love. I can’t condone what my husband did and will not forget about the way he treated our daughter and Buck. If you think it best to have my husband arrested for assault. I would completely understand. Maybe this could be the answer to keeping his temper and accepting that Elizabeth is now a woman and can make her own decisions.” Mrs. Sturgis said with a sad look on her face.
Teaspoon took all of what he had heard from Elizabeth’s mother and said “I’ll have to think on it awhile. I’ll have my decision once your daughter wakes up. Thank you for telling me all this Mrs. Sturgis. I know it wasn’t easy for you to relive.” With all that said Mrs. Sturgis excused herself to go check on Elizabeth.
When Anna got back to Elizabeth’s room, she saw Buck sitting by her bed with his hand caressing hers. She was about to go back downstairs when she heard a weak voice say “Buck?” She turned to see her daughter reach up to touch Buck’s tear streaked face.
Buck was so surprised, that for a moment, he could think of nothing to say. He smiled at her and wiped his eyes, not wanting her to see that he had been upset.
"Hey," he smiled, covering her hand with his.
"Are you alright? You've been crying."
"I'm more concerned about you," he told her. "How do you feel?"
"I'm thirsty...and my head hurts."
Anna Sturgis spotted the pitcher of water by the bedside and filled a cup for her daughter. Elizabeth smiled in thanks to her mother and took a long drink. As she finished, her eyes grew wide. The events of the morning came flooding back to her.
"Where's Papa?"
"Now don't you worry about that Honey. We just need the doctor to..."
"Where is he?" Elizabeth demanded of her mother.
Anna glanced at Buck, and then let out a heavy sigh. "I don't know."
"Well what are you doing here? You need to find him!" Elizabeth almost shouted.
"Beth, calm down." Buck put a hand on her, surprised at the desperation in her voice.
"He'll turn up when he's good and ready."
"But Mama, he..."
"He's the reason you're lying in this bed Elizabeth! Right now, I could care less where your father is! We need to make sure that you're alright."
"I'm fine." Elizabeth stated. With that she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. She would have fallen if Buck hadn't been there to catch her.
"Oh no you don't." he told her as he settled her gently back against the pillows. "You're not ready to get up just yet."
"I'm just a little dizzy is all." The girl looked at Buck and her mother, wanting to confirm that nothing was wrong.
"I'm going to see if someone can fetch the doctor." Anna declared, turning for the doorway. She was almost to the stairs when Buck caught up with her.
"Mrs. Sturgis...wait."
Anna turned to see a strange look on the Kiowa's face.
Buck sat next to her, watching as she tenderly stroked Elizabeth's cheek. He smiled at her and then stood. "I'm going to go pray," he said. "I'll be back before dark." He gently squeezed Mrs. Sturgis' shoulder and left the room.
After he left, Mrs. Sturgis called Zander to the room. "Sit here with your sister," she said. "I need to go talk to the Marshal." When her son looked at her with uncertainty, she said, "Just keep her cool. Wipe her face every once in a while, and talk to her. I know that will help her; tell her how much you want her to come back."
Zander nodded, and Mrs. Sturgis left in search of Teaspoon.
Mrs. Sturgis found Teaspoon sitting on the porch swing with his hat over his eyes resting. She cleared her throat and said “Marshal Hunter may I have a word with you.”
Teaspoon sat up and looked at the woman and replied “Certainly would you like to see some of the ranch while we talk?”
“Yes, that would be nice.” She replied. Teaspoon and Mrs. Sturgis walked off the porch and headed for the barn. “Marshal Hunter I would like to try to explain why what happened here with my husband and Elizabeth happened.” Elizabeth’s mother stated.
“Well I’d like to hear from you what went on this morning. Elizabeth was hurt and from what Buck and Kid told me it seems your husband is in the wrong. I don’t like to see a woman hurt by anyone especially her father.”
“Yes, I agree what Buck and Kid told you is true. My husband can be a very angry man and his temper can get away from him at times. I’m afraid that today was one of those times.” Mrs. Sturgis explained. “Maybe a bit of our family’s past history could help you understand my husband’s ways, but not excuse them.” Mrs. Sturgis asked. Teaspoon and Anna Sturgis stood at the corral as she got a far off look in her eyes.
“My husband Shane and I got married at a very young age. A year after we were married Elizabeth was born. We farmed in the state of Massachusetts for a while but my husband got itchy feet and he wanted to move out west. Elizabeth was 2 and I was 5 months pregnant with our second child. Shane was elated and couldn’t wait to see if he would have the son he’d always wanted. The wagon train we left with was run by a man that was hard on the animals and the people of the train. One of our horses got sick and we were left by the wagon train in the middle of nowhere and I was about to give birth. Shane was beyond scared but wouldn’t let on that he was. I still could tell though. Shane went off the day after the wagon train left us and went to go hunting for game to feed us because food was scarce. About half an hour after Shane left, I went into labor. Elizabeth was crying beside me because of my screams. I tried to deliver the baby myself but the cord got wrapped around his neck and he was not with the living when he was born. Shane was making his way back to the wagon when he was chased by a band of Indians on a hunt. He was on their land and shot one of them and because of this they started to chase after him. It took him all night and part of the next morning to get back to Elizabeth and I. When he heard nothing from the wagon, he approached it carefully and found what had happened the day before. It’s too horrific to speak of what he found, but he blamed the Indians that chased him and was never the same man I married after that. We buried William Stephen Sturgis the next day. Elizabeth wouldn’t let anyone near her for days she was so traumatized by what had happened. After that she became very introverted and shy around new people. That has stayed with her throughout her life. When we drove up this morning, I saw my little girl happy and not the timid girl who had left our farm to start a new job. I could tell just by the few minutes I saw her with Buck that she is a woman in love. I can’t condone what my husband did and will not forget about the way he treated our daughter and Buck. If you think it best to have my husband arrested for assault. I would completely understand. Maybe this could be the answer to keeping his temper and accepting that Elizabeth is now a woman and can make her own decisions.” Mrs. Sturgis said with a sad look on her face.
Teaspoon took all of what he had heard from Elizabeth’s mother and said “I’ll have to think on it awhile. I’ll have my decision once your daughter wakes up. Thank you for telling me all this Mrs. Sturgis. I know it wasn’t easy for you to relive.” With all that said Mrs. Sturgis excused herself to go check on Elizabeth.
When Anna got back to Elizabeth’s room, she saw Buck sitting by her bed with his hand caressing hers. She was about to go back downstairs when she heard a weak voice say “Buck?” She turned to see her daughter reach up to touch Buck’s tear streaked face.
Buck was so surprised, that for a moment, he could think of nothing to say. He smiled at her and wiped his eyes, not wanting her to see that he had been upset.
"Hey," he smiled, covering her hand with his.
"Are you alright? You've been crying."
"I'm more concerned about you," he told her. "How do you feel?"
"I'm thirsty...and my head hurts."
Anna Sturgis spotted the pitcher of water by the bedside and filled a cup for her daughter. Elizabeth smiled in thanks to her mother and took a long drink. As she finished, her eyes grew wide. The events of the morning came flooding back to her.
"Where's Papa?"
"Now don't you worry about that Honey. We just need the doctor to..."
"Where is he?" Elizabeth demanded of her mother.
Anna glanced at Buck, and then let out a heavy sigh. "I don't know."
"Well what are you doing here? You need to find him!" Elizabeth almost shouted.
"Beth, calm down." Buck put a hand on her, surprised at the desperation in her voice.
"He'll turn up when he's good and ready."
"But Mama, he..."
"He's the reason you're lying in this bed Elizabeth! Right now, I could care less where your father is! We need to make sure that you're alright."
"I'm fine." Elizabeth stated. With that she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. She would have fallen if Buck hadn't been there to catch her.
"Oh no you don't." he told her as he settled her gently back against the pillows. "You're not ready to get up just yet."
"I'm just a little dizzy is all." The girl looked at Buck and her mother, wanting to confirm that nothing was wrong.
"I'm going to see if someone can fetch the doctor." Anna declared, turning for the doorway. She was almost to the stairs when Buck caught up with her.
"Mrs. Sturgis...wait."
Anna turned to see a strange look on the Kiowa's face.
Twenty One
They stood facing each other in silence a few seconds before Buck spoke. "I realize that your husband does not approve of my seeing Elizabeth, but I need you to know that I don't plan on..."
Mrs. Sturgis smiled at the young man before her as she shushed him. "I am so glad Elizabeth found someone like you; you've managed to bring her back to life. You leave Mr. Sturgis to me." She patted his cheek and smiled around him at her daughter.
"Now," she repeated, "I'm going to see if I can find someone to fetch the doctor."
Buck smiled as he turned to reenter Elizabeth’s room. Sitting down on the chair by the bed, Buck took her hand in his. “How are you feeling?” he asked in a soft voice. He wanted to say something else, but he wasn’t sure if he should. He knew that when he was nervous, he tended to rant.
Elizabeth looked up at Buck, a small smile lacing her lips. “I’ll be fine once I’ve rested for a bit. What did my mother tell you? I heard you talking.”
“She approves of us being together,” Buck bit his lip. “And that we didn’t have to worry about what your father might think.”
“My mother said that?” Elizabeth asked Buck. Elizabeth wasn’t surprised that her mother had said she approved of them being together, the fact that she said her father wouldn’t be a problem was a shock.
“Are you in any pain?” Buck asked her. She smiled and said she was fine, but Buck knew otherwise. He had brewed some willow bark tea for her when he came back from praying. He brought a cup up with him just in case she woke up in pain. “I happen to know Miss Beth that you are a bad liar.” Buck said.
“I’m fine really I am.” Elizabeth argued because she didn’t want to take laudanum. She wanted to be alert to talk with Buck and her mother.
Buck placed a finger to her lips and said “I’ve made some willow bark tea. It’s made by my people to take pain away. Just take a few sips and you’ll feel better. Do it for me, Okay?” Elizabeth agreed and accepted the tea.
Mrs. Sturgis smiled at the young man before her as she shushed him. "I am so glad Elizabeth found someone like you; you've managed to bring her back to life. You leave Mr. Sturgis to me." She patted his cheek and smiled around him at her daughter.
"Now," she repeated, "I'm going to see if I can find someone to fetch the doctor."
Buck smiled as he turned to reenter Elizabeth’s room. Sitting down on the chair by the bed, Buck took her hand in his. “How are you feeling?” he asked in a soft voice. He wanted to say something else, but he wasn’t sure if he should. He knew that when he was nervous, he tended to rant.
Elizabeth looked up at Buck, a small smile lacing her lips. “I’ll be fine once I’ve rested for a bit. What did my mother tell you? I heard you talking.”
“She approves of us being together,” Buck bit his lip. “And that we didn’t have to worry about what your father might think.”
“My mother said that?” Elizabeth asked Buck. Elizabeth wasn’t surprised that her mother had said she approved of them being together, the fact that she said her father wouldn’t be a problem was a shock.
“Are you in any pain?” Buck asked her. She smiled and said she was fine, but Buck knew otherwise. He had brewed some willow bark tea for her when he came back from praying. He brought a cup up with him just in case she woke up in pain. “I happen to know Miss Beth that you are a bad liar.” Buck said.
“I’m fine really I am.” Elizabeth argued because she didn’t want to take laudanum. She wanted to be alert to talk with Buck and her mother.
Buck placed a finger to her lips and said “I’ve made some willow bark tea. It’s made by my people to take pain away. Just take a few sips and you’ll feel better. Do it for me, Okay?” Elizabeth agreed and accepted the tea.
Twenty Two
Teaspoon put his feet up on the desk and was about to lean back for a short nap. He still hadn't come up with an answer where Shane Sturgis was concerned. He often woke up from his naps with a fresh perspective on a problem. He hoped this time would be no different.
He heard the door open just as he pulled his hat over his eyes.
"Marshall Hunter! Come to turn myself in!" The man's unusually loud voice, and slurred speech, was as grating as fingernails down a chalkboard.
Teaspoon sat up to see Shane Sturgis standing before him. Truth be told, he was actually rocking back and forth slightly.
"Mr. Sturgis... This is a surprise. Care to sit down?" Teaspoon thought to himself that if the man didn't sit, he'd soon be flat on his face.
"Nope...I'll stand thank you very much." Having made that statement, Shane tripped on his own feet, and somehow landed in the chair in front of Teaspoon's desk. The smell of whiskey wafted in Teaspoon's direction.
"You say you're here to turn yourself in?" Teaspoon asked. After his talk with Mrs. Sturgis, the Marshall had decided that being heavy handed about this affair was not the way to go. It would serve Buck, Elizabeth and the Sturgis family better if he gave the man a chance to say his piece.
"S'pose you heard about what happened out at the McCloud place this mornin'?" Shane asked, a look of anger coming across his face.
"I did." Teaspoon answered.
"Figured so." Shane slurred, leaning back in the chair. "I know you're pretty tight with all them people. And that Indian."
Hearing the disdain in the man's voice, Teaspoon took a deep breath. Shane was drunk, and after what his wife had recounted, Teaspoon had a better understanding of his hatred.
"Actually, I heard about it from your wife."
Sturgis sat up slowly, his eyes wide. "You spoke to Anna?"
Teaspoon nodded, waiting to see what Shane's reaction would be. To his surprise, the man said nothing. He simply looked down at his hands, the anger that he'd shown just a moment before, gone.
"Mr. Sturgis, I know you and your family's been through some tough times. But whatever problems you may have, you can't go takin' it out on..."
"You don't know nothin' about my problems Marshall! I lost a child because of those savages! When I seen him with my girl..."
"You're drunk Mr. Sturgis. I don't think this is the best time to be discussin' anything..."
"You're gonna stick up for him ain't you! I never should've touched Elizabeth, I know that. The next I see that dirty Indian..."
Teaspoon made his way around the desk and grabbed Shane Sturgis by the shirt collar. The man staggered against Teaspoon, and tried to focus.
"Now that kinda talk will land you right in a jail cell Mr. Sturgis. Once you sober up, if I ever hear that kinda talk again, I will bring you up on charges. Understand?" Teaspoon spoke in a clear, quiet voice.
Sturgis nodded, and let Teaspoon lead him into a cell. As he staggered over to the cot, Teaspoon shut the door behind him.
"You ain't gonna charge me with nothin'?"
"That's up to your daughter." Teaspoon told him.
Shane sat down heavily and put his head in his hands. Once again, his pain had gotten the better of him.
"Do you know if she's alright?" he finally asked.
Teaspoon looked up from his desk. "Your wife and Buck fetched the doctor to look in on her. I'm sure she'll be fine."
As he watched the man before him in obvious turmoil, Teaspoon spoke again.
"You know Sturgis, If I was you, I think I’d put the child you lost to rest, and start concentrating on the ones that are still here. Otherwise, you might lose them too."
Shane Sturgis lifted his head to look at the Marshal. The words Teaspoon had just spoken pierced his heart as he thought about the truth in that statement. The last thing he wanted was to lose another child, especially one who was still living. He knew it would kill him if either Elizabeth or Zander decided their father was no longer a part of their lives. A tear slid down his cheek as the thought of being truly alone made its way into his subconscious. Yet, he didn't know how to get past his hatred of Indians. And now, to have even his wife throw Buck into his face, was insulting to the man who had always felt strong and had always been the true patriarch of his family. It seemed that he was losing the respect he had always been given from his children, and his wife, and he had to gain it back somehow.
He wasn't sure how, because he still was not comfortable with his daughter being handled by an Indian. Maybe, if he could get past the fact that Buck was only part Indian..........
He sighed as his head began to ache more. Lying back on the cot in the cell Teaspoon had put him in, Shane closed his eyes, and began praying. He felt, at least, that this constant in his life was something no one could take from him. He had always been a Christian, and he tried to raise his children the same way. Squeezing his eyes tighter, he released more tears, as he realized how very unchristian he had been when he hurt his daughter. He hadn't meant to harm her. He knew he had taken his anger out on the wrong person. And though he knew he was testing his faith now, he vowed he would talk to Elizabeth. Try to get her to see that she was only headed for pain if she continued to see the half-breed. Shane Sturgis prayed for sleep, as all of these thoughts that were running through his mind were confusing him, and he knew that after he slept the drunkenness away, things would be clearer.
He heard the door open just as he pulled his hat over his eyes.
"Marshall Hunter! Come to turn myself in!" The man's unusually loud voice, and slurred speech, was as grating as fingernails down a chalkboard.
Teaspoon sat up to see Shane Sturgis standing before him. Truth be told, he was actually rocking back and forth slightly.
"Mr. Sturgis... This is a surprise. Care to sit down?" Teaspoon thought to himself that if the man didn't sit, he'd soon be flat on his face.
"Nope...I'll stand thank you very much." Having made that statement, Shane tripped on his own feet, and somehow landed in the chair in front of Teaspoon's desk. The smell of whiskey wafted in Teaspoon's direction.
"You say you're here to turn yourself in?" Teaspoon asked. After his talk with Mrs. Sturgis, the Marshall had decided that being heavy handed about this affair was not the way to go. It would serve Buck, Elizabeth and the Sturgis family better if he gave the man a chance to say his piece.
"S'pose you heard about what happened out at the McCloud place this mornin'?" Shane asked, a look of anger coming across his face.
"I did." Teaspoon answered.
"Figured so." Shane slurred, leaning back in the chair. "I know you're pretty tight with all them people. And that Indian."
Hearing the disdain in the man's voice, Teaspoon took a deep breath. Shane was drunk, and after what his wife had recounted, Teaspoon had a better understanding of his hatred.
"Actually, I heard about it from your wife."
Sturgis sat up slowly, his eyes wide. "You spoke to Anna?"
Teaspoon nodded, waiting to see what Shane's reaction would be. To his surprise, the man said nothing. He simply looked down at his hands, the anger that he'd shown just a moment before, gone.
"Mr. Sturgis, I know you and your family's been through some tough times. But whatever problems you may have, you can't go takin' it out on..."
"You don't know nothin' about my problems Marshall! I lost a child because of those savages! When I seen him with my girl..."
"You're drunk Mr. Sturgis. I don't think this is the best time to be discussin' anything..."
"You're gonna stick up for him ain't you! I never should've touched Elizabeth, I know that. The next I see that dirty Indian..."
Teaspoon made his way around the desk and grabbed Shane Sturgis by the shirt collar. The man staggered against Teaspoon, and tried to focus.
"Now that kinda talk will land you right in a jail cell Mr. Sturgis. Once you sober up, if I ever hear that kinda talk again, I will bring you up on charges. Understand?" Teaspoon spoke in a clear, quiet voice.
Sturgis nodded, and let Teaspoon lead him into a cell. As he staggered over to the cot, Teaspoon shut the door behind him.
"You ain't gonna charge me with nothin'?"
"That's up to your daughter." Teaspoon told him.
Shane sat down heavily and put his head in his hands. Once again, his pain had gotten the better of him.
"Do you know if she's alright?" he finally asked.
Teaspoon looked up from his desk. "Your wife and Buck fetched the doctor to look in on her. I'm sure she'll be fine."
As he watched the man before him in obvious turmoil, Teaspoon spoke again.
"You know Sturgis, If I was you, I think I’d put the child you lost to rest, and start concentrating on the ones that are still here. Otherwise, you might lose them too."
Shane Sturgis lifted his head to look at the Marshal. The words Teaspoon had just spoken pierced his heart as he thought about the truth in that statement. The last thing he wanted was to lose another child, especially one who was still living. He knew it would kill him if either Elizabeth or Zander decided their father was no longer a part of their lives. A tear slid down his cheek as the thought of being truly alone made its way into his subconscious. Yet, he didn't know how to get past his hatred of Indians. And now, to have even his wife throw Buck into his face, was insulting to the man who had always felt strong and had always been the true patriarch of his family. It seemed that he was losing the respect he had always been given from his children, and his wife, and he had to gain it back somehow.
He wasn't sure how, because he still was not comfortable with his daughter being handled by an Indian. Maybe, if he could get past the fact that Buck was only part Indian..........
He sighed as his head began to ache more. Lying back on the cot in the cell Teaspoon had put him in, Shane closed his eyes, and began praying. He felt, at least, that this constant in his life was something no one could take from him. He had always been a Christian, and he tried to raise his children the same way. Squeezing his eyes tighter, he released more tears, as he realized how very unchristian he had been when he hurt his daughter. He hadn't meant to harm her. He knew he had taken his anger out on the wrong person. And though he knew he was testing his faith now, he vowed he would talk to Elizabeth. Try to get her to see that she was only headed for pain if she continued to see the half-breed. Shane Sturgis prayed for sleep, as all of these thoughts that were running through his mind were confusing him, and he knew that after he slept the drunkenness away, things would be clearer.
Twenty Three
Teaspoon realized the man in the cell had been quiet for a while now. He stood up from his desk, stretched, and made his way over to the bars. Peeking in, he saw Shane Sturgis sleeping, and thought to himself how much better the man would feel in the morning. As he turned to go back to the desk, Teaspoon felt a chill go down his back. Knowing that he didn't usually get signs like this for nothing, he glanced again at the man on the cot. Rubbing his chin with his hand, Teaspoon got to thinking about how white Mr. Sturgis was, not just white as a white man, but whiter, too white. Teaspoon opened the cell and rushed over to the cot. Reaching down, he felt for a pulse on the cold man's neck.
"Barnett" Teaspoon hollered, hoping his deputy was within hearing distance. He needed help getting this man to Doc's, or getting Doc over here. He was afraid something had gone wrong with the man's heart due to his heavy drinking.
Feeling for a pulse, Teaspoon sighed when he found none and searched for it again, just to be sure. Shaking his head, the man laid a sheet over Mr. Sturgis, covering the man completely.
Doc stood at the door and watched the scene unfolding in front of him. Shaking his head as well, the man said that he would let the undertaker know.
“Barnett, could you stay here and hold down the fort? I need to let the man’s family know.”
Barnett nodded and sat down in the chair. “Sure, Teaspoon. You just take your time.”
Teaspoon gave a small smile in gratefulness before he walked out the door.
As he closed in on the station, Teaspoon grew more and more nervous, mostly because he didn’t know what he was going to say.
"Barnett" Teaspoon hollered, hoping his deputy was within hearing distance. He needed help getting this man to Doc's, or getting Doc over here. He was afraid something had gone wrong with the man's heart due to his heavy drinking.
Feeling for a pulse, Teaspoon sighed when he found none and searched for it again, just to be sure. Shaking his head, the man laid a sheet over Mr. Sturgis, covering the man completely.
Doc stood at the door and watched the scene unfolding in front of him. Shaking his head as well, the man said that he would let the undertaker know.
“Barnett, could you stay here and hold down the fort? I need to let the man’s family know.”
Barnett nodded and sat down in the chair. “Sure, Teaspoon. You just take your time.”
Teaspoon gave a small smile in gratefulness before he walked out the door.
As he closed in on the station, Teaspoon grew more and more nervous, mostly because he didn’t know what he was going to say.
Twenty Four
"So, what kind of pie do you like?" Elizabeth asked sleepily. The tea Buck had given her was beginning to have the desired effect, but she didn't want to miss a chance to talk with him.
"What kind of pie?" Buck asked. He sat next to the bed, holding her hand, surprised that she was still awake.
Elizabeth nodded. "I was going to make a blueberry pie today. Guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow."
"I love blueberry pie. Especially your blueberry pie." Buck winked.
Elizabeth looked at him suspiciously. "You've never had my blueberry pie before. How do you know you'll love it?"
"If it's as good as everything else you make, I have no doubt."
"I can make a lot of things..." Elizabeth yawned.
Buck raised an eyebrow. If the situation were different, he might have really teased her about that remark. Still, he couldn't let it pass without saying something.
"Really?"
"I'm talking about food Buck."
"So was I." he lied.
Elizabeth shook her head, and let her eyes close, smiling to herself when she felt Buck squeeze her hand tightly.
"Thank you for taking care of me." she said quietly.
"You're welcome. Now try to be quiet and get some rest." Buck leaned down and kissed her forehead gently, then sat back down in the chair. Another ten minutes and she'd be asleep.
"Buck?"
"Hmm?"
"My father's not a bad person...really. He just reacts without thinking sometimes."
Buck was silent for a few seconds before answering. As far as he was concerned, there was no excuse for what Sturgis had done. None at all.
"He's been through a lot, especially since we came here. I know he feels really helpless sometimes and..." Elizabeth sighed. "I just don't want you to hate him."
"I don't even know him Beth." Buck looked at her seriously. "What he did to you was wrong, and as far as I'm concerned, there's no excuse for it. But, he's your father. I don't want to come between you."
Elizabeth tried to sit up, but Buck put a hand on her shoulder to keep her still. "Let's not talk about this now." he told her. "You have to get some rest."
"In the morning I'll talk to him." Beth answered. "Everything will be fine, you'll see."
"What kind of pie?" Buck asked. He sat next to the bed, holding her hand, surprised that she was still awake.
Elizabeth nodded. "I was going to make a blueberry pie today. Guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow."
"I love blueberry pie. Especially your blueberry pie." Buck winked.
Elizabeth looked at him suspiciously. "You've never had my blueberry pie before. How do you know you'll love it?"
"If it's as good as everything else you make, I have no doubt."
"I can make a lot of things..." Elizabeth yawned.
Buck raised an eyebrow. If the situation were different, he might have really teased her about that remark. Still, he couldn't let it pass without saying something.
"Really?"
"I'm talking about food Buck."
"So was I." he lied.
Elizabeth shook her head, and let her eyes close, smiling to herself when she felt Buck squeeze her hand tightly.
"Thank you for taking care of me." she said quietly.
"You're welcome. Now try to be quiet and get some rest." Buck leaned down and kissed her forehead gently, then sat back down in the chair. Another ten minutes and she'd be asleep.
"Buck?"
"Hmm?"
"My father's not a bad person...really. He just reacts without thinking sometimes."
Buck was silent for a few seconds before answering. As far as he was concerned, there was no excuse for what Sturgis had done. None at all.
"He's been through a lot, especially since we came here. I know he feels really helpless sometimes and..." Elizabeth sighed. "I just don't want you to hate him."
"I don't even know him Beth." Buck looked at her seriously. "What he did to you was wrong, and as far as I'm concerned, there's no excuse for it. But, he's your father. I don't want to come between you."
Elizabeth tried to sit up, but Buck put a hand on her shoulder to keep her still. "Let's not talk about this now." he told her. "You have to get some rest."
"In the morning I'll talk to him." Beth answered. "Everything will be fine, you'll see."
Twenty Five
Buck had just closed the door behind him when he saw Mrs. Sturgis, Teaspoon and Kid coming up the stairs.
"How is she?" Kid asked his friend.
"She's asleep. What is it?" Buck could tell by the look on Anna's face that something was terribly wrong.
"Maybe we better go back downstairs." Teaspoon suggested.
"What is it Teaspoon?" Buck looked at the Marshall's face and then back at Kid. Beth was going to be fine, so he couldn't imagine what could have happened. "Somebody, say something."
"It's Elizabeth's father." Kid explained. "He's dead."
Buck looked like he'd been hit in the stomach - hard. It took all his will to stay standing. He looked at Mrs. Sturgis. "Are you alright?" he asked softly.
She nodded. "I'm fine," she answered. She took Buck's arm. "I think it might be best if we wait to tell Elizabeth this news later. What do you think?"
Buck nodded as he let Mrs. Sturgis lead him downstairs to the sitting room.
Buck sat listening as Teaspoon explained how he'd found Shane Sturgis in his cell.
"Do you think his drinking had anything to do with it?" Buck asked quietly.
"I can't say," Teaspoon answered.
"Shane didn't drink...not normally." His wife explained.
"You mean not until his daughter met me." Buck corrected her sullenly.
"My husband was under a lot of pressure Buck. Most of it he put on himself." Anna wiped a tear from her eye and took a deep breath.
"I don't know what we're gonna do. We're already having trouble paying the note on the farm..."
"Don't worry about that Mrs. Sturgis." Kid put a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder. "I'm pretty well acquainted with the folks at the bank. We'll work something out."
The woman smiled, and then another grim thought came to her mind. "I still can't believe what happened between him and Elizabeth. Despite what it may have seemed like...she and her father had...an understanding of each other. Sometimes, she could get through to him when no one else could."
Buck smiled sadly. "The last thing she said before she fell asleep was that she wanted to talk to him. She said everything would be fine."
"Elizabeth is nothing if not an optimist." Her mother explained. "I don't know how I'm going to tell her..." again the woman fought to hold back her tears.
"I'd like to be there when you do...if that's alright." Buck told her.
Anna Sturgis smiled at the young man beside her. "I'd like that too." she said quietly.
"How is she?" Kid asked his friend.
"She's asleep. What is it?" Buck could tell by the look on Anna's face that something was terribly wrong.
"Maybe we better go back downstairs." Teaspoon suggested.
"What is it Teaspoon?" Buck looked at the Marshall's face and then back at Kid. Beth was going to be fine, so he couldn't imagine what could have happened. "Somebody, say something."
"It's Elizabeth's father." Kid explained. "He's dead."
Buck looked like he'd been hit in the stomach - hard. It took all his will to stay standing. He looked at Mrs. Sturgis. "Are you alright?" he asked softly.
She nodded. "I'm fine," she answered. She took Buck's arm. "I think it might be best if we wait to tell Elizabeth this news later. What do you think?"
Buck nodded as he let Mrs. Sturgis lead him downstairs to the sitting room.
Buck sat listening as Teaspoon explained how he'd found Shane Sturgis in his cell.
"Do you think his drinking had anything to do with it?" Buck asked quietly.
"I can't say," Teaspoon answered.
"Shane didn't drink...not normally." His wife explained.
"You mean not until his daughter met me." Buck corrected her sullenly.
"My husband was under a lot of pressure Buck. Most of it he put on himself." Anna wiped a tear from her eye and took a deep breath.
"I don't know what we're gonna do. We're already having trouble paying the note on the farm..."
"Don't worry about that Mrs. Sturgis." Kid put a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder. "I'm pretty well acquainted with the folks at the bank. We'll work something out."
The woman smiled, and then another grim thought came to her mind. "I still can't believe what happened between him and Elizabeth. Despite what it may have seemed like...she and her father had...an understanding of each other. Sometimes, she could get through to him when no one else could."
Buck smiled sadly. "The last thing she said before she fell asleep was that she wanted to talk to him. She said everything would be fine."
"Elizabeth is nothing if not an optimist." Her mother explained. "I don't know how I'm going to tell her..." again the woman fought to hold back her tears.
"I'd like to be there when you do...if that's alright." Buck told her.
Anna Sturgis smiled at the young man beside her. "I'd like that too." she said quietly.
Twenty Six
As Mrs. Sturgis and Buck entered Elizabeth’s room, they both noticed how peaceful she looked. They hated to wake her to tell her the horrible news but they knew they had to tell her right away or she would be angry at them for keeping it from her.
Buck caressed Beth’s cheek and she stirred a little. “Beth, wake up sweetie” Buck called to her. When Beth opened her eyes, she saw her mother and Buck sitting beside her bed.
“What’s wrong? Elizabeth asked immediately when she saw their faces. “Mama have you been crying?” Beth asked.
“Elizabeth, we have something we need to tell you.” Anna Sturgis said to her daughter.
“You’re scaring me. Tell me what’s wrong.” Elizabeth said in a panic. She instantly started to sit up but got so dizzy she fell back on the bed. Both Buck and Anna took one of her hands and held them tight.
“Beth, we have bad news. Your father passed away this afternoon.” Buck replied in a solemn voice.
Beth looked from Buck to her mother and back again. “NO! You’re wrong it must have been someone else! You made a mistake. Papa’s not dead he can’t be! Suddenly tears sprung to Beth’s eyes and looking at her mother’s face she knew it to be true.
“Beth I’m so sorry. If I hadn’t pursued our relationship none of this would have happened.” Buck said dejectedly.
Anna true to her nature said “Buck it wasn’t your fault Shane was an angry man and was not well due to his accident. It could have happened at any time in any place.”
Elizabeth looked at Buck and knew he wasn’t to blame. She took his hand in both of hers and told him “Buck I know you didn’t cause this. I know you care for me as much as I care for you and you would never do anything to hurt me or my family.”
With this said Elizabeth started to cry in earnest. Her body was wracked with sobs. She rolled over on the bed away from Buck and Anna. She just stared out the window and sobbed. Anna tried to console her but she just shied away from her touch.
Anna motioned for Buck to follow her out of the room. In the hallway she said “I don’t know what to do for her. I’m her mother and she won’t let me console her. Buck maybe she would talk to you. You were the first person she called for when she woke up after the accident this morning. Would you give it a try?”
Buck wanted to be there for Beth so he replied “I’ll do my best.” With that said Buck went back into the room and sat down on the edge of Beth’s bed. “Beth would you like to talk about it?” In an instant Beth had rolled over and Buck held her as she cried. It was all he could do for now but he would do anything she asked of him if it would make her feel like she wasn’t alone.
Eventually, her tears subsided and Elizabeth was able to talk. She told Buck about the wonderful things her father had done, and what a good man he was.
Buck simply listened. He tried to take this information and tie it to the man he knew - the hateful man who had struck his own daughter in anger over her being friends with an Indian. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't make them be the same person. Finally, he asked, "Do you have any idea why he changed into the man who..." he let the sentence drop as Beth pulled away from him.
"He didn't change," she said. "He was always a kind, caring..." she broke down once more and Buck took her in his arms.
"I don't know what happened," she said. "I think it had something to do with my baby brother dying on the way out here." She took a deep breath before continuing, "I was too young so I don't remember exactly what happened; I just know that it involved some Indians. I think that's why he didn't trust you. I wish I had been able to visit with him; he'll never know..." she once more stopped due to her tears.
Buck held her tightly. He spoke softly as he held her. "I think he knows," he said. "From what Teaspoon told me about how he died; I think he knows."
Buck caressed Beth’s cheek and she stirred a little. “Beth, wake up sweetie” Buck called to her. When Beth opened her eyes, she saw her mother and Buck sitting beside her bed.
“What’s wrong? Elizabeth asked immediately when she saw their faces. “Mama have you been crying?” Beth asked.
“Elizabeth, we have something we need to tell you.” Anna Sturgis said to her daughter.
“You’re scaring me. Tell me what’s wrong.” Elizabeth said in a panic. She instantly started to sit up but got so dizzy she fell back on the bed. Both Buck and Anna took one of her hands and held them tight.
“Beth, we have bad news. Your father passed away this afternoon.” Buck replied in a solemn voice.
Beth looked from Buck to her mother and back again. “NO! You’re wrong it must have been someone else! You made a mistake. Papa’s not dead he can’t be! Suddenly tears sprung to Beth’s eyes and looking at her mother’s face she knew it to be true.
“Beth I’m so sorry. If I hadn’t pursued our relationship none of this would have happened.” Buck said dejectedly.
Anna true to her nature said “Buck it wasn’t your fault Shane was an angry man and was not well due to his accident. It could have happened at any time in any place.”
Elizabeth looked at Buck and knew he wasn’t to blame. She took his hand in both of hers and told him “Buck I know you didn’t cause this. I know you care for me as much as I care for you and you would never do anything to hurt me or my family.”
With this said Elizabeth started to cry in earnest. Her body was wracked with sobs. She rolled over on the bed away from Buck and Anna. She just stared out the window and sobbed. Anna tried to console her but she just shied away from her touch.
Anna motioned for Buck to follow her out of the room. In the hallway she said “I don’t know what to do for her. I’m her mother and she won’t let me console her. Buck maybe she would talk to you. You were the first person she called for when she woke up after the accident this morning. Would you give it a try?”
Buck wanted to be there for Beth so he replied “I’ll do my best.” With that said Buck went back into the room and sat down on the edge of Beth’s bed. “Beth would you like to talk about it?” In an instant Beth had rolled over and Buck held her as she cried. It was all he could do for now but he would do anything she asked of him if it would make her feel like she wasn’t alone.
Eventually, her tears subsided and Elizabeth was able to talk. She told Buck about the wonderful things her father had done, and what a good man he was.
Buck simply listened. He tried to take this information and tie it to the man he knew - the hateful man who had struck his own daughter in anger over her being friends with an Indian. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't make them be the same person. Finally, he asked, "Do you have any idea why he changed into the man who..." he let the sentence drop as Beth pulled away from him.
"He didn't change," she said. "He was always a kind, caring..." she broke down once more and Buck took her in his arms.
"I don't know what happened," she said. "I think it had something to do with my baby brother dying on the way out here." She took a deep breath before continuing, "I was too young so I don't remember exactly what happened; I just know that it involved some Indians. I think that's why he didn't trust you. I wish I had been able to visit with him; he'll never know..." she once more stopped due to her tears.
Buck held her tightly. He spoke softly as he held her. "I think he knows," he said. "From what Teaspoon told me about how he died; I think he knows."
Twenty Seven
As the days passed, Elizabeth slowly returned to work tending house for Kid and Lou. At first, she spent any time she wasn't working with Buck, but was forced to spend some time with her mother and brother when it became obvious that keeping the farm was in question.
As the three of them sat in the cafe discussing their options, a shadow fell across the table. Anna Sturgis looked up expecting to see Buck and was surprised when the man standing there turned out to be Ethan Jefferson, their old neighbor from back home.
“Oh my! Ethan Jefferson is that you boy?” Anna said in surprise.
“Yes Mrs. Sturgis it’s me. How good it is to see you. And who is this vision of loveliness sitting beside you? It can’t be Elizabeth. She was a child the last time I saw her.” he said with an air about him that was almost pompous. Elizabeth turned beet red with embarrassment
“Why, yes, it is Elizabeth. She’s eighteen now. You may remember my son Zander he was just a little bitty thing when we left Ohio.”
"Ah yes Zander. You were always getting into scrapes and Elizabeth had to beg Mr. Taylor at the General store not to call the Sheriff. If I remember correctly.” Zander got a hard look on his face and ignored the jab from the newcomer. He just nodded his head and looked out the window. There was always something about this man that made Zander uneasy and he didn’t like the way he was looking at Elizabeth. Like she was a prizewinning horse up for auction that he wanted badly.
Just as Ethan was saying the unkind words to Zander, Buck walked up to the table. “Is everything alright?” Buck asked looking at Elizabeth’s embarrassed face and Zander’s angry one. Anna smiled up at Buck and introduced Ethan to Buck. Buck shook Ethan’s hand but got a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach when their hands clasped together. Buck pulled away quickly. “Are you about ready to go? I’ve got the buckboard outside.” Buck said smiling.
Ethan had done his research and knew who Buck was but couldn’t wait to put him down. “Is Buck your driver, Mrs. Sturgis?” At this Buck tensed but Elizabeth explained that she was working on the ranch that Buck co-owned with the McCloud’s and that he and Elizabeth were good friends.
On the way home Buck was silent. He thought about what Beth had said about them being good friends. ‘Aren’t they courting or was all that finished after her father died.’ Buck thought to himself. He had such strong feelings for Beth now and he thought she felt the same. ‘Maybe she was just toying with my affections like all the other girls I've had in my life. Even though there were only a few at that.’ Buck pulled into the yard and helped Anna and Beth down from the buckboard without a word and then brought the horses and conveyance into the barn. Buck was going to talk to Zander about this newcomer after dinner because he was very concerned about the feeling he got when shaking his hand. Buck felt that Zander felt the same way. He would get to the bottom of this even if it killed him.
As the three of them sat in the cafe discussing their options, a shadow fell across the table. Anna Sturgis looked up expecting to see Buck and was surprised when the man standing there turned out to be Ethan Jefferson, their old neighbor from back home.
“Oh my! Ethan Jefferson is that you boy?” Anna said in surprise.
“Yes Mrs. Sturgis it’s me. How good it is to see you. And who is this vision of loveliness sitting beside you? It can’t be Elizabeth. She was a child the last time I saw her.” he said with an air about him that was almost pompous. Elizabeth turned beet red with embarrassment
“Why, yes, it is Elizabeth. She’s eighteen now. You may remember my son Zander he was just a little bitty thing when we left Ohio.”
"Ah yes Zander. You were always getting into scrapes and Elizabeth had to beg Mr. Taylor at the General store not to call the Sheriff. If I remember correctly.” Zander got a hard look on his face and ignored the jab from the newcomer. He just nodded his head and looked out the window. There was always something about this man that made Zander uneasy and he didn’t like the way he was looking at Elizabeth. Like she was a prizewinning horse up for auction that he wanted badly.
Just as Ethan was saying the unkind words to Zander, Buck walked up to the table. “Is everything alright?” Buck asked looking at Elizabeth’s embarrassed face and Zander’s angry one. Anna smiled up at Buck and introduced Ethan to Buck. Buck shook Ethan’s hand but got a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach when their hands clasped together. Buck pulled away quickly. “Are you about ready to go? I’ve got the buckboard outside.” Buck said smiling.
Ethan had done his research and knew who Buck was but couldn’t wait to put him down. “Is Buck your driver, Mrs. Sturgis?” At this Buck tensed but Elizabeth explained that she was working on the ranch that Buck co-owned with the McCloud’s and that he and Elizabeth were good friends.
On the way home Buck was silent. He thought about what Beth had said about them being good friends. ‘Aren’t they courting or was all that finished after her father died.’ Buck thought to himself. He had such strong feelings for Beth now and he thought she felt the same. ‘Maybe she was just toying with my affections like all the other girls I've had in my life. Even though there were only a few at that.’ Buck pulled into the yard and helped Anna and Beth down from the buckboard without a word and then brought the horses and conveyance into the barn. Buck was going to talk to Zander about this newcomer after dinner because he was very concerned about the feeling he got when shaking his hand. Buck felt that Zander felt the same way. He would get to the bottom of this even if it killed him.
Twenty Eight
Elizabeth paused on the front porch, watching Buck from a distance. He had been quieter than usual during dinner, and excused himself at the earliest opportunity. He was obviously upset about something, and Beth had the distinct feeling that it had something to do with her.
She'd gone over the events of the day and tried to figure out what she might have done to displease Buck. He'd never acted this distant with her, and she didn't like it.
She could tell when Ethan had approached them earlier, that Buck was uncomfortable, and she hadn't liked Ethan's condescending tone when he asked about Buck. Surely Buck didn't think that Elizabeth felt the same way.
"Buck?" He turned around briefly when she called to him, but said nothing.
Elizabeth didn't let that deter her. She walked across the yard and stopped at the fence, where Buck stood looking at the horses in the twilight.
"What's wrong?" The question was simple, and direct.
"Nothing."
Elizabeth took a breath, and spoke again.
"You've hardly spoken to me since we got home from town..."
"I haven't seen you. I've been busy."
"You've been avoiding me Buck."
"I have a ranch to run Elizabeth. I don't have time for small talk."
More painful than his cold tone of voice was the fact that he called her Elizabeth. She couldn't remember the last time he'd called her anything other than Beth.
"You hardly touched your dinner, and..."
"I wasn't hungry." Buck answered, still not looking at her.
"Please tell me what's bothering you. If I've done something to upset you, I'm sorry." She placed her hand on his arm, and felt him tense beneath her touch.
Finally Buck turned to look at her. He knew that she really had no idea why he was angry, but for some reason, that only added to the pain he was feeling. All this time, he thought they were growing closer, and he'd been planning, once she'd had more time to recover from the loss of her father, to go to her mother and ask for her hand in marriage. But he should have known, she only thought of him as a friend.
"It's not your fault." he finally told her. "I should have known better."
Then he walked away from her, leaving Elizabeth standing with her mouth open.
"Known better about what? What in the world are you talking about?" she called after him.
He stopped some distance from her, his hands fisted at his sides, then he turned and walked toward her, quickly closing the distance between them.
"From the moment you came here, they told me it would be a mistake to get involved with you, but I didn't listen."
"Who told you that?" Beth asked, now even more confused by Buck's open display of anger.
"I thought you were different, that you saw me as a person, not just the half-breed that got lucky enough to somehow own a piece of this ranch. I built this place from the ground up. Me and Kid together!"
"I know that Buck."
"I felt something for you, that I haven't felt in a very long time. I thought you felt it too. Whenever you looked at me, I could see it!"
"I do, Buck...I do feel something for you..."
"That's not what you said today." He wasn't exactly yelling at her, but the force of Buck's words made Beth take a step back.
"What...what do you mean?" she asked innocently.
"To Ethan! When he asked if I was your driver. You said we were friends. Friends." He spat out the word as if it were an insult.
Elizabeth stood blinking at him, completely silent. In the back of his mind, Buck knew he wasn't handling this very well. Right now, however, he didn't care. It seemed he always had to think about what he said to other people and what impression he left. For once, he was simply going to speak his mind.
"Is that what this is about?" Elizabeth finally asked.
"Yes!"
"Ethan is just an old friend Buck. That's all."
"So why didn't you tell him we were more than friends...are we more than friends Beth?"
Elizabeth shook her head, trying to clear it. "Of course, we are...I mean...we haven't really talked about it. So much has happened Buck, I..."
"Don't say anymore. I understand."
He turned away, but Elizabeth grabbed his arm. "Wait a minute! Let me finish!" Now she was getting angry.
"If you recall, we only talked about it once. Then my accident happened..."
"It wasn't an accident. He hit you!"
"It was an accident. He didn't mean it. He was upset! Now he's gone, and if I don't come up with an answer quick, my mother is going to lose the farm!"
"What?" At this piece of information, Buck's anger was suddenly gone. "But I thought Kid talked to the bank..."
"He did. It didn't make a difference." Elizabeth suddenly blinked back tears.
"They had some money saved, but it's gone. Daddy lost it..."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Buck took her by the shoulders and tried to pull her close, but Beth backed away.
"Because I was afraid! Afraid you wouldn't want to be saddled with some penniless awkward girl who didn't have a thing in the world."
"Beth, I can help you, I'll go to the bank..."
"No. I don't want your pity Buck. This is exactly why I didn't say anything." Again, Beth shook her head.
"You know, I have a question for you. If you had so many feelings for me, then why haven't you gone to my mother and asked for permission to court me? Since everything happened, we've spent a lot of time together, but you never brought it up once. You haven't even really kissed me since then either. How was I supposed to know you were more than a friend?"
Before Buck could answer Elizabeth stormed off into Kid and Lou’s house. Buck started to go after her but, stopped himself. He didn’t want to say what he had to say in anger.
She'd gone over the events of the day and tried to figure out what she might have done to displease Buck. He'd never acted this distant with her, and she didn't like it.
She could tell when Ethan had approached them earlier, that Buck was uncomfortable, and she hadn't liked Ethan's condescending tone when he asked about Buck. Surely Buck didn't think that Elizabeth felt the same way.
"Buck?" He turned around briefly when she called to him, but said nothing.
Elizabeth didn't let that deter her. She walked across the yard and stopped at the fence, where Buck stood looking at the horses in the twilight.
"What's wrong?" The question was simple, and direct.
"Nothing."
Elizabeth took a breath, and spoke again.
"You've hardly spoken to me since we got home from town..."
"I haven't seen you. I've been busy."
"You've been avoiding me Buck."
"I have a ranch to run Elizabeth. I don't have time for small talk."
More painful than his cold tone of voice was the fact that he called her Elizabeth. She couldn't remember the last time he'd called her anything other than Beth.
"You hardly touched your dinner, and..."
"I wasn't hungry." Buck answered, still not looking at her.
"Please tell me what's bothering you. If I've done something to upset you, I'm sorry." She placed her hand on his arm, and felt him tense beneath her touch.
Finally Buck turned to look at her. He knew that she really had no idea why he was angry, but for some reason, that only added to the pain he was feeling. All this time, he thought they were growing closer, and he'd been planning, once she'd had more time to recover from the loss of her father, to go to her mother and ask for her hand in marriage. But he should have known, she only thought of him as a friend.
"It's not your fault." he finally told her. "I should have known better."
Then he walked away from her, leaving Elizabeth standing with her mouth open.
"Known better about what? What in the world are you talking about?" she called after him.
He stopped some distance from her, his hands fisted at his sides, then he turned and walked toward her, quickly closing the distance between them.
"From the moment you came here, they told me it would be a mistake to get involved with you, but I didn't listen."
"Who told you that?" Beth asked, now even more confused by Buck's open display of anger.
"I thought you were different, that you saw me as a person, not just the half-breed that got lucky enough to somehow own a piece of this ranch. I built this place from the ground up. Me and Kid together!"
"I know that Buck."
"I felt something for you, that I haven't felt in a very long time. I thought you felt it too. Whenever you looked at me, I could see it!"
"I do, Buck...I do feel something for you..."
"That's not what you said today." He wasn't exactly yelling at her, but the force of Buck's words made Beth take a step back.
"What...what do you mean?" she asked innocently.
"To Ethan! When he asked if I was your driver. You said we were friends. Friends." He spat out the word as if it were an insult.
Elizabeth stood blinking at him, completely silent. In the back of his mind, Buck knew he wasn't handling this very well. Right now, however, he didn't care. It seemed he always had to think about what he said to other people and what impression he left. For once, he was simply going to speak his mind.
"Is that what this is about?" Elizabeth finally asked.
"Yes!"
"Ethan is just an old friend Buck. That's all."
"So why didn't you tell him we were more than friends...are we more than friends Beth?"
Elizabeth shook her head, trying to clear it. "Of course, we are...I mean...we haven't really talked about it. So much has happened Buck, I..."
"Don't say anymore. I understand."
He turned away, but Elizabeth grabbed his arm. "Wait a minute! Let me finish!" Now she was getting angry.
"If you recall, we only talked about it once. Then my accident happened..."
"It wasn't an accident. He hit you!"
"It was an accident. He didn't mean it. He was upset! Now he's gone, and if I don't come up with an answer quick, my mother is going to lose the farm!"
"What?" At this piece of information, Buck's anger was suddenly gone. "But I thought Kid talked to the bank..."
"He did. It didn't make a difference." Elizabeth suddenly blinked back tears.
"They had some money saved, but it's gone. Daddy lost it..."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Buck took her by the shoulders and tried to pull her close, but Beth backed away.
"Because I was afraid! Afraid you wouldn't want to be saddled with some penniless awkward girl who didn't have a thing in the world."
"Beth, I can help you, I'll go to the bank..."
"No. I don't want your pity Buck. This is exactly why I didn't say anything." Again, Beth shook her head.
"You know, I have a question for you. If you had so many feelings for me, then why haven't you gone to my mother and asked for permission to court me? Since everything happened, we've spent a lot of time together, but you never brought it up once. You haven't even really kissed me since then either. How was I supposed to know you were more than a friend?"
Before Buck could answer Elizabeth stormed off into Kid and Lou’s house. Buck started to go after her but, stopped himself. He didn’t want to say what he had to say in anger.
Twenty Nine
The next morning Buck went to find Beth but, she was nowhere to be found. So, he decided to go into town to pick up some supplies. When he got to town, he saw Elizabeth walking down the boardwalk with a man but, not just any man it was Ethan Jefferson. They walked arm in arm not seeing Buck. The fact was Ethan saw Buck when he entered town and took Elizabeth’s arm right at that moment. Buck felt the anger well up inside him. He wanted to pummel Ethan Jefferson into the ground. When Buck rode by on his horse he looked away and ignored them. Buck’s hair blowing in the wind caught Elizabeth’s eye and she turned to see Buck turn away. She was hurt, but couldn’t blame him after what had been said last night. She wanted to go after him but, pride kept her walking with Ethan. Just like pride had kept Buck from calling out to her when he rode past.
Teaspoon saw all this from the Marshal’s office and said to himself. “The two people who are so right for each other they could be two pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly together are too stubborn and pig headed to let the other one, know that they love each other. Something has to be done about this and fast by the looks of things.” Then Teaspoon went back to his desk to rest his eyes and think.
Teaspoon saw all this from the Marshal’s office and said to himself. “The two people who are so right for each other they could be two pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly together are too stubborn and pig headed to let the other one, know that they love each other. Something has to be done about this and fast by the looks of things.” Then Teaspoon went back to his desk to rest his eyes and think.
Thirty
Things were tense during dinner at the McCloud Cross ranch that evening. Elizabeth served everyone, and responded politely to the questions that Kid and Lou posed, trying to involve her in the conversation. Buck sat silently, staring at the food on his plate.
Elizabeth sat down, and finally, no longer able to stand it, spoke to Buck.
"Is something wrong with the meal, Buck?"
"I'm not hungry."
"You hardly ate at lunch Buck. You're gonna waste away if you don't eat something." Lou told him. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Just got a lot on my mind."
Elizabeth bit her tongue, and made an effort to take a bite of meatloaf.
"I think we need to talk about the situation with your farm." Buck spoke again, looking directly at Beth.
"I beg your pardon?" she was taken aback by his statement.
"What you told me last night. Your mother can't lose the farm. If, I have to I'll..."
"There's no need to worry." Elizabeth told him. "Everything has been taken care of."
"Did you go back to the bank?" Kid asked, he was just as shocked as Buck was.
"No, Ethan talked to them." Beth glanced away from both men, knowing that this would provoke a reaction from at least one of them.
"Who?" Lou asked.
"Ethan Jefferson. He's a friend of ours from back East. We ran into him in town yesterday and..."
"You're not gonna let him handle this..." Buck began.
"Excuse me Buck, but this is none of your concern. Ethan is an old friend and my mother trusts him, as do I."
"He can't be trusted Beth."
Elizabeth put down her fork and stared back at the man across from her.
"You don't even know him."
"Do you? How many years has it been since you've even spoken? Your mother said Zander was small when you last saw him so..."
"I know enough to know that he has our best interest at heart." Buck started to interrupt again, but Elizabeth put up a hand to silence him.
"I should think you'd be the last person to pass such judgment on another person Buck, after all you suffered at the hands of those who misjudged you."
Lou and Kid glanced at each other. Elizabeth was definitely winning this argument.
Buck said nothing more, as Elizabeth put her napkin on the table and pushed back her chair.
"I'm sorry, I'm really not very hungry either. I think I'll go check on Noah."
As soon as she left the room, Buck slammed his fist down on the table.
"I take it you don't like this Ethan Jefferson." Kid said, trying not to smirk as he stated the obvious. Buck gave him a dark look, as he stood up. Without another word, he went after Elizabeth.
"That was somethin'" Lou commented as she continued to savor her meal. "He's got it pretty bad."
"I guess. I ain't never seen Buck argue with a woman before."
"Ain't as good as our arguments though." Lou winked at her husband.
"Give 'em some time. Once they find out how much fun it is to make up, they'll probably argue more often."
Elizabeth sat down, and finally, no longer able to stand it, spoke to Buck.
"Is something wrong with the meal, Buck?"
"I'm not hungry."
"You hardly ate at lunch Buck. You're gonna waste away if you don't eat something." Lou told him. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Just got a lot on my mind."
Elizabeth bit her tongue, and made an effort to take a bite of meatloaf.
"I think we need to talk about the situation with your farm." Buck spoke again, looking directly at Beth.
"I beg your pardon?" she was taken aback by his statement.
"What you told me last night. Your mother can't lose the farm. If, I have to I'll..."
"There's no need to worry." Elizabeth told him. "Everything has been taken care of."
"Did you go back to the bank?" Kid asked, he was just as shocked as Buck was.
"No, Ethan talked to them." Beth glanced away from both men, knowing that this would provoke a reaction from at least one of them.
"Who?" Lou asked.
"Ethan Jefferson. He's a friend of ours from back East. We ran into him in town yesterday and..."
"You're not gonna let him handle this..." Buck began.
"Excuse me Buck, but this is none of your concern. Ethan is an old friend and my mother trusts him, as do I."
"He can't be trusted Beth."
Elizabeth put down her fork and stared back at the man across from her.
"You don't even know him."
"Do you? How many years has it been since you've even spoken? Your mother said Zander was small when you last saw him so..."
"I know enough to know that he has our best interest at heart." Buck started to interrupt again, but Elizabeth put up a hand to silence him.
"I should think you'd be the last person to pass such judgment on another person Buck, after all you suffered at the hands of those who misjudged you."
Lou and Kid glanced at each other. Elizabeth was definitely winning this argument.
Buck said nothing more, as Elizabeth put her napkin on the table and pushed back her chair.
"I'm sorry, I'm really not very hungry either. I think I'll go check on Noah."
As soon as she left the room, Buck slammed his fist down on the table.
"I take it you don't like this Ethan Jefferson." Kid said, trying not to smirk as he stated the obvious. Buck gave him a dark look, as he stood up. Without another word, he went after Elizabeth.
"That was somethin'" Lou commented as she continued to savor her meal. "He's got it pretty bad."
"I guess. I ain't never seen Buck argue with a woman before."
"Ain't as good as our arguments though." Lou winked at her husband.
"Give 'em some time. Once they find out how much fun it is to make up, they'll probably argue more often."
Thirty One
"Elizabeth! Wait!"
Buck knew she wasn't going to check on the baby. She had gone outside and was walking out to the field behind the barn. At the sound of Buck's voice, she turned around.
"What?" she asked, wiping angry tears from her eyes.
"I can't believe that you would let him go to the bank for you without even talking to me first!"
"Please stop yelling at me Buck. I am doing the best I can..."
When he saw the tears in her eyes, Buck felt awful. He was usually much better at controlling his emotions, but whenever Beth was involved, control seemed to fly out the window.
He took a step closer, and when she backed away, Buck put up his hands, as if to calm her. How had they gotten to this point in just 48 hours?
"I'm sorry...please...just let me talk to you."
"What more is there to say?"
"I don't know." Buck admitted, "I keep upsetting you and I don't mean to, I just...I don't know how to do this."
"What? What exactly have we been doing, Buck?"
The Kiowa ran a hand through his hair, trying to collect his thoughts.
"I had this all figured out, and then, when everything happened with your father..." he stopped, again at a loss for words. Suddenly, he took her by the hand, and led her to the big swing that hung from the old oak behind the barn. The bright moon made it easy to find their way, and the swing was wide enough for both of them to sit on.
"I know that your father's death had nothing to do with me...it was just terrible timing, but still..."
"Buck, I've told you over and over, what happened that morning didn't cause his death, he had a heart attack, that's all."
"I know, but in my heart, I guess I still felt to blame...a little. You were so upset at first, I figured the last thing you'd want to talk about was you and me. Now...I guess I'm afraid too."
"I thought you'd changed your mind about me." Elizabeth admitted.
"Changed my...of course not!" Buck was incredulous.
"Really?"
"No..." At that moment, the wind picked up, and Buck reached to push Elizabeth's long hair out of her eyes. "I thought about it every day. I just ain't the best with words."
Beth smiled, feeling her eyes sting with tears again. Suddenly, the knot in the pit of her stomach, the one that had been there for weeks that she had ignored, began to loosen just a bit.
He wanted to kiss her, but knew for now, he had to stick to the business at hand.
"Tell me about the farm. What did Ethan work out with the bank."
Beth shook her head. "Let's not talk about that right now Buck."
"We have to Beth. If I'm going to help you, you have to tell me."
"It's already done Buck."
"Then undo it." Buck took hold of both of her hands and held her gaze with his dark eyes.
"If you're jealous of Ethan..."
"He's not a good man Beth."
"But how can you know that?" she pressed him.
"You have to trust me. Please." Buck took her face in his hands to make his point. Reaching up, Beth held both of his hands in hers.
Just then, a shadow fell across the two of them.
Buck knew she wasn't going to check on the baby. She had gone outside and was walking out to the field behind the barn. At the sound of Buck's voice, she turned around.
"What?" she asked, wiping angry tears from her eyes.
"I can't believe that you would let him go to the bank for you without even talking to me first!"
"Please stop yelling at me Buck. I am doing the best I can..."
When he saw the tears in her eyes, Buck felt awful. He was usually much better at controlling his emotions, but whenever Beth was involved, control seemed to fly out the window.
He took a step closer, and when she backed away, Buck put up his hands, as if to calm her. How had they gotten to this point in just 48 hours?
"I'm sorry...please...just let me talk to you."
"What more is there to say?"
"I don't know." Buck admitted, "I keep upsetting you and I don't mean to, I just...I don't know how to do this."
"What? What exactly have we been doing, Buck?"
The Kiowa ran a hand through his hair, trying to collect his thoughts.
"I had this all figured out, and then, when everything happened with your father..." he stopped, again at a loss for words. Suddenly, he took her by the hand, and led her to the big swing that hung from the old oak behind the barn. The bright moon made it easy to find their way, and the swing was wide enough for both of them to sit on.
"I know that your father's death had nothing to do with me...it was just terrible timing, but still..."
"Buck, I've told you over and over, what happened that morning didn't cause his death, he had a heart attack, that's all."
"I know, but in my heart, I guess I still felt to blame...a little. You were so upset at first, I figured the last thing you'd want to talk about was you and me. Now...I guess I'm afraid too."
"I thought you'd changed your mind about me." Elizabeth admitted.
"Changed my...of course not!" Buck was incredulous.
"Really?"
"No..." At that moment, the wind picked up, and Buck reached to push Elizabeth's long hair out of her eyes. "I thought about it every day. I just ain't the best with words."
Beth smiled, feeling her eyes sting with tears again. Suddenly, the knot in the pit of her stomach, the one that had been there for weeks that she had ignored, began to loosen just a bit.
He wanted to kiss her, but knew for now, he had to stick to the business at hand.
"Tell me about the farm. What did Ethan work out with the bank."
Beth shook her head. "Let's not talk about that right now Buck."
"We have to Beth. If I'm going to help you, you have to tell me."
"It's already done Buck."
"Then undo it." Buck took hold of both of her hands and held her gaze with his dark eyes.
"If you're jealous of Ethan..."
"He's not a good man Beth."
"But how can you know that?" she pressed him.
"You have to trust me. Please." Buck took her face in his hands to make his point. Reaching up, Beth held both of his hands in hers.
Just then, a shadow fell across the two of them.
Thirty Two
Ethan didn’t like what he was seeing. How could his Beth be with this ... this ... this heathen? There was no other word for the likes of him. His Beth had no business with the heathen. The two just happened to be working at the same place. That did not mean they should be as intimate as they were now. Didn’t Beth understand that what she’s doing is wrong in the eyes of God, the people in town and Ethan.
Standing over the two like an overprotective father meeting his daughter’s chosen one for the very first time, Ethan gave Buck a stern look. “Don’t you have work to do?”
When he saw the look in Ethan’s eye, Buck was quick to withdraw from Beth. It had felt so nice to be close to her, but he also knew that he didn’t want to see Ethan mad. Mumbling something about mucking out stalls under his breath, Buck disappeared into the barn.
Beth looked after Buck, wondering why he suddenly disappeared. “What’s going on?” she asked Ethan when he blocked her view to the barn.
Quickly changing his demeanor, Ethan answered Elizabeth's question.
"I have something I need to discuss with you. Something very important about the farm and the bank note."
Elizabeth, sounding a bit put off because she and Buck had been interrupted, abruptly asked. "Couldn't this have waited until later? What could be so important about the bank note that you couldn't wait?"
Ethan, trying his schoolboy charm on her, once more answered, this time with a bit of a plea in his voice.
"I tried real hard Elizabeth, I really did, to get the note settled without any stipulations, but the bank board members..........."
"But you said the farm was okay. You said the bank accepted your offer to pay the loan, and that we, in turn, could pay you back. Has something changed?" Beth couldn't help but feel apprehensive.
Looking down at his feet, Ethan moved the toe of his boot around in the dirt. When he looked back up, his usual self-assured facial expression was replaced with one of insecurity and concern. He hoped he had mastered the look he was going for, and when he saw Beth's face soften, he knew he had. Now, it was time for his news.
Ethan gestured toward the swing where Beth sat only minutes before with Buck.
"Can we sit?" he asked.
"I suppose we could go inside." Beth suggested, as she felt uncomfortable at the thought of sitting with another man in the same place, she had sat with the man she had very strong feelings for.
"It's probably just as well that we stand, since what I have to say is really important." He reached out to take her hand with his.
"Beth, after talking with you and your mother, the Bank's President came to talk to me again. Now, I've already talked with your mother about this, and she told me this would have to be your decision." Ethan’s green eyes gazed longingly into Beth’s.
Blushing for a reason she didn't know, Beth spoke, almost in a whisper. "Elizabeth."
"Pardon?" Ethan looked at her puzzled.
"Oh........nothing. I would just like you to call me Elizabeth, not Beth, please. Elizabeth is my name." She didn't like the way the name Beth rolled off his tongue.
"Fine, I'm sorry.........Elizabeth." Ethan smiled. " I need to know how important keeping this farm in your family is to you. Your mother tells me it was your father's pride and joy, and that he was working hard to make a go of it."
"Why are you asking this? I thought you knew how important the farm is to me. If I can, I will do anything to make sure that mother does not lose it. I will work two, even three jobs if I have to, whatever it takes. Is that what this is about? You're worried about how my family will pay you back? Because you don't........"
Ethan put his finger on her mouth to still her rambling.
"That's not what this is about. What it is, however, is the opportunity for you and your mother to retain possession of the farm sooner than what was drawn up before." Ethan waited for Beth's reaction.
"What are you talking about?" The chance for her to make sure her father's hard work wasn't in vain somehow intrigued Beth, yet she was nervous about what Ethan had in mind. Still, she needed to hear what he had to say. "Okay, I'm listening." Beth let out a short breath, and sat down on the swing to steady her nerves.
All through this Ethan kept a firm hold on her hand. Now taking his other hand, he reached into the pocket of his jacket, pulling out a small bag. He turned Beth's hand over and dumped the contents of the bag into it. Beth gasped when she saw the gold circle with the shining clear stone in the middle. She was speechless, the ring was beautiful. Beth looked up to see Ethan's eyes actually misted over with tears.
"I would love it, if you would accept this ring, and agree to be my wife." Ethan hesitated, but before Beth could respond, he continued.” At least for five years. Then, if it's not what you want, you're free to go. It's the only way I could get the board members to agree to put the deed in your family name.............to be given back to you, free and clear, with nothing owing, five years from Saturday, providing we get married by then." There, he had done it. It hadn't been too hard to convince the board members on how they would profit by allowing him to buy the property, and pay it off in five years. He knew by that time he could win Elizabeth's heart, and he would own her and the land as well.
Beth's eyes welled up, tears spilling, as she listened to what Ethan was saying. He was asking her to join him in a loveless marriage for five years. Actually, the amount of time didn't matter, she just didn't know how she could marry and live with someone she didn't love, and yet, she thought of her father, and how hard he had worked for what they had now. Could she just let it go? Didn't she have an obligation to keep a promise to her father, her mother and brother. This was something that could, no, would have made her father proud of her.
"Well?" Ethan looked at her hopefully.
"You said you talked to my mother?" Beth swallowed as Ethan nodded his head.
"We can both go back and talk to your mother, tonight, if you want. I just want you to know though, Elizabeth, that I will take very good care of you, and I will love and honor you in the way you deserve to be treated. Your mother did say it would have to be your decision. I can only hope you will make the right one."
Beth stood and gently put her hand alongside Ethan's face. Was he being sincere, or was Buck right about not being able to trust him? She trusted Buck, but she knew how insecure he was anyway, and besides, she has known Ethan longer than Buck has. In fact, she's known Ethan longer than she's known Buck. He probably wasn't the best person, but no one was perfect.
"Elizabeth? Do you want to wait and talk to your mother? Or do you want me to go tell the bank board members the deal is off? I want to do what you want me to, but time is of the essence. In two, days we have to either sign the papers or let the bank take the deed back." Ethan stressed the last part.
Before losing her nerve, Beth quickly answered. "Okay, I'll do it. I'll marry you. But you have to understand it's for my father that I'm doing it. And I'm only going to do it because you have been a trusted friend of the family for so long. I'm sorry Ethan, I don't want to hurt you, but I'll never love you. My heart belongs to another. I can only hope that he will still feel the same way five years from now about me."
Ethan took the ring from her hand and slipped it on her finger, just as Buck was coming out of the barn. Neither he nor Elizabeth realized that they were being watched by the Kiowa.
"I know I cannot force you to love me, but I will still treat you like a princess, Elizabeth. I am honored that you have accepted my proposal.” After saying this, Ethan leaned down and kissed Beth softly on the lips.
After seeing this exchange, although he couldn't hear what had been said, Buck turned back to the barn, tears stinging his eyes. Entering the corral adjacent to the barn, he chose the black gelding he had been breaking for the past two weeks. Instead of bothering to saddle him, Buck just used a bridle, and quietly led the horse down by the creek running just beyond the barn. He glanced one more time at the two people still standing by the old oak then climbed aboard the horse bareback and gently walked him through the creek to the brush on the other side. After clearing the brush, he would have miles and miles of open range to be able to lose himself in. He was just hoping he could lose his feelings for Beth as well, as he kicked the horse into a lope, and then into a full run, letting the early night air blow through his hair.
Standing over the two like an overprotective father meeting his daughter’s chosen one for the very first time, Ethan gave Buck a stern look. “Don’t you have work to do?”
When he saw the look in Ethan’s eye, Buck was quick to withdraw from Beth. It had felt so nice to be close to her, but he also knew that he didn’t want to see Ethan mad. Mumbling something about mucking out stalls under his breath, Buck disappeared into the barn.
Beth looked after Buck, wondering why he suddenly disappeared. “What’s going on?” she asked Ethan when he blocked her view to the barn.
Quickly changing his demeanor, Ethan answered Elizabeth's question.
"I have something I need to discuss with you. Something very important about the farm and the bank note."
Elizabeth, sounding a bit put off because she and Buck had been interrupted, abruptly asked. "Couldn't this have waited until later? What could be so important about the bank note that you couldn't wait?"
Ethan, trying his schoolboy charm on her, once more answered, this time with a bit of a plea in his voice.
"I tried real hard Elizabeth, I really did, to get the note settled without any stipulations, but the bank board members..........."
"But you said the farm was okay. You said the bank accepted your offer to pay the loan, and that we, in turn, could pay you back. Has something changed?" Beth couldn't help but feel apprehensive.
Looking down at his feet, Ethan moved the toe of his boot around in the dirt. When he looked back up, his usual self-assured facial expression was replaced with one of insecurity and concern. He hoped he had mastered the look he was going for, and when he saw Beth's face soften, he knew he had. Now, it was time for his news.
Ethan gestured toward the swing where Beth sat only minutes before with Buck.
"Can we sit?" he asked.
"I suppose we could go inside." Beth suggested, as she felt uncomfortable at the thought of sitting with another man in the same place, she had sat with the man she had very strong feelings for.
"It's probably just as well that we stand, since what I have to say is really important." He reached out to take her hand with his.
"Beth, after talking with you and your mother, the Bank's President came to talk to me again. Now, I've already talked with your mother about this, and she told me this would have to be your decision." Ethan’s green eyes gazed longingly into Beth’s.
Blushing for a reason she didn't know, Beth spoke, almost in a whisper. "Elizabeth."
"Pardon?" Ethan looked at her puzzled.
"Oh........nothing. I would just like you to call me Elizabeth, not Beth, please. Elizabeth is my name." She didn't like the way the name Beth rolled off his tongue.
"Fine, I'm sorry.........Elizabeth." Ethan smiled. " I need to know how important keeping this farm in your family is to you. Your mother tells me it was your father's pride and joy, and that he was working hard to make a go of it."
"Why are you asking this? I thought you knew how important the farm is to me. If I can, I will do anything to make sure that mother does not lose it. I will work two, even three jobs if I have to, whatever it takes. Is that what this is about? You're worried about how my family will pay you back? Because you don't........"
Ethan put his finger on her mouth to still her rambling.
"That's not what this is about. What it is, however, is the opportunity for you and your mother to retain possession of the farm sooner than what was drawn up before." Ethan waited for Beth's reaction.
"What are you talking about?" The chance for her to make sure her father's hard work wasn't in vain somehow intrigued Beth, yet she was nervous about what Ethan had in mind. Still, she needed to hear what he had to say. "Okay, I'm listening." Beth let out a short breath, and sat down on the swing to steady her nerves.
All through this Ethan kept a firm hold on her hand. Now taking his other hand, he reached into the pocket of his jacket, pulling out a small bag. He turned Beth's hand over and dumped the contents of the bag into it. Beth gasped when she saw the gold circle with the shining clear stone in the middle. She was speechless, the ring was beautiful. Beth looked up to see Ethan's eyes actually misted over with tears.
"I would love it, if you would accept this ring, and agree to be my wife." Ethan hesitated, but before Beth could respond, he continued.” At least for five years. Then, if it's not what you want, you're free to go. It's the only way I could get the board members to agree to put the deed in your family name.............to be given back to you, free and clear, with nothing owing, five years from Saturday, providing we get married by then." There, he had done it. It hadn't been too hard to convince the board members on how they would profit by allowing him to buy the property, and pay it off in five years. He knew by that time he could win Elizabeth's heart, and he would own her and the land as well.
Beth's eyes welled up, tears spilling, as she listened to what Ethan was saying. He was asking her to join him in a loveless marriage for five years. Actually, the amount of time didn't matter, she just didn't know how she could marry and live with someone she didn't love, and yet, she thought of her father, and how hard he had worked for what they had now. Could she just let it go? Didn't she have an obligation to keep a promise to her father, her mother and brother. This was something that could, no, would have made her father proud of her.
"Well?" Ethan looked at her hopefully.
"You said you talked to my mother?" Beth swallowed as Ethan nodded his head.
"We can both go back and talk to your mother, tonight, if you want. I just want you to know though, Elizabeth, that I will take very good care of you, and I will love and honor you in the way you deserve to be treated. Your mother did say it would have to be your decision. I can only hope you will make the right one."
Beth stood and gently put her hand alongside Ethan's face. Was he being sincere, or was Buck right about not being able to trust him? She trusted Buck, but she knew how insecure he was anyway, and besides, she has known Ethan longer than Buck has. In fact, she's known Ethan longer than she's known Buck. He probably wasn't the best person, but no one was perfect.
"Elizabeth? Do you want to wait and talk to your mother? Or do you want me to go tell the bank board members the deal is off? I want to do what you want me to, but time is of the essence. In two, days we have to either sign the papers or let the bank take the deed back." Ethan stressed the last part.
Before losing her nerve, Beth quickly answered. "Okay, I'll do it. I'll marry you. But you have to understand it's for my father that I'm doing it. And I'm only going to do it because you have been a trusted friend of the family for so long. I'm sorry Ethan, I don't want to hurt you, but I'll never love you. My heart belongs to another. I can only hope that he will still feel the same way five years from now about me."
Ethan took the ring from her hand and slipped it on her finger, just as Buck was coming out of the barn. Neither he nor Elizabeth realized that they were being watched by the Kiowa.
"I know I cannot force you to love me, but I will still treat you like a princess, Elizabeth. I am honored that you have accepted my proposal.” After saying this, Ethan leaned down and kissed Beth softly on the lips.
After seeing this exchange, although he couldn't hear what had been said, Buck turned back to the barn, tears stinging his eyes. Entering the corral adjacent to the barn, he chose the black gelding he had been breaking for the past two weeks. Instead of bothering to saddle him, Buck just used a bridle, and quietly led the horse down by the creek running just beyond the barn. He glanced one more time at the two people still standing by the old oak then climbed aboard the horse bareback and gently walked him through the creek to the brush on the other side. After clearing the brush, he would have miles and miles of open range to be able to lose himself in. He was just hoping he could lose his feelings for Beth as well, as he kicked the horse into a lope, and then into a full run, letting the early night air blow through his hair.
Thirty Three
Ethan didn’t like what he was seeing. How could his Beth be with this ... this ... this heathen? There was no other word for the likes of him. His Beth had no business with the heathen. The two just happened to be working at the same place. That did not mean they should be as intimate as they were now. Didn’t Beth understand that what she’s doing is wrong in the eyes of God, the people in town and Ethan.
Standing over the two like an overprotective father meeting his daughter’s chosen one for the very first time, Ethan gave Buck a stern look. “Don’t you have work to do?”
When he saw the look in Ethan’s eye, Buck was quick to withdraw from Beth. It had felt so nice to be close to her, but he also knew that he didn’t want to see Ethan mad. Mumbling something about mucking out stalls under his breath, Buck disappeared into the barn.
Beth looked after Buck, wondering why he suddenly disappeared. “What’s going on?” she asked Ethan when he blocked her view to the barn.
Quickly changing his demeanor, Ethan answered Elizabeth's question.
"I have something I need to discuss with you. Something very important about the farm and the bank note."
Elizabeth, sounding a bit put off because she and Buck had been interrupted, abruptly asked. "Couldn't this have waited until later? What could be so important about the bank note that you couldn't wait?"
Ethan, trying his schoolboy charm on her, once more answered, this time with a bit of a plea in his voice.
"I tried real hard Elizabeth, I really did, to get the note settled without any stipulations, but the bank board members..........."
"But you said the farm was okay. You said the bank accepted your offer to pay the loan, and that we, in turn, could pay you back. Has something changed?" Beth couldn't help but feel apprehensive.
Looking down at his feet, Ethan moved the toe of his boot around in the dirt. When he looked back up, his usual self-assured facial expression was replaced with one of insecurity and concern. He hoped he had mastered the look he was going for, and when he saw Beth's face soften, he knew he had. Now, it was time for his news.
Ethan gestured toward the swing where Beth sat only minutes before with Buck.
"Can we sit?" he asked.
"I suppose we could go inside." Beth suggested, as she felt uncomfortable at the thought of sitting with another man in the same place, she had sat with the man she had very strong feelings for.
"It's probably just as well that we stand, since what I have to say is really important." He reached out to take her hand with his.
"Beth, after talking with you and your mother, the Bank's President came to talk to me again. Now, I've already talked with your mother about this, and she told me this would have to be your decision." Ethan’s green eyes gazed longingly into Beth’s.
Blushing for a reason she didn't know, Beth spoke, almost in a whisper. "Elizabeth."
"Pardon?" Ethan looked at her puzzled.
"Oh........nothing. I would just like you to call me Elizabeth, not Beth, please. Elizabeth is my name." She didn't like the way the name Beth rolled off his tongue.
"Fine, I'm sorry.........Elizabeth." Ethan smiled. " I need to know how important keeping this farm in your family is to you. Your mother tells me it was your father's pride and joy, and that he was working hard to make a go of it."
"Why are you asking this? I thought you knew how important the farm is to me. If I can, I will do anything to make sure that mother does not lose it. I will work two, even three jobs if I have to, whatever it takes. Is that what this is about? You're worried about how my family will pay you back? Because you don't........"
Ethan put his finger on her mouth to still her rambling.
"That's not what this is about. What it is, however, is the opportunity for you and your mother to retain possession of the farm sooner than what was drawn up before." Ethan waited for Beth's reaction.
"What are you talking about?" The chance for her to make sure her father's hard work wasn't in vain somehow intrigued Beth, yet she was nervous about what Ethan had in mind. Still, she needed to hear what he had to say. "Okay, I'm listening." Beth let out a short breath, and sat down on the swing to steady her nerves.
All through this Ethan kept a firm hold on her hand. Now taking his other hand, he reached into the pocket of his jacket, pulling out a small bag. He turned Beth's hand over and dumped the contents of the bag into it. Beth gasped when she saw the gold circle with the shining clear stone in the middle. She was speechless, the ring was beautiful. Beth looked up to see Ethan's eyes actually misted over with tears.
"I would love it, if you would accept this ring, and agree to be my wife." Ethan hesitated, but before Beth could respond, he continued.” At least for five years. Then, if it's not what you want, you're free to go. It's the only way I could get the board members to agree to put the deed in your family name.............to be given back to you, free and clear, with nothing owing, five years from Saturday, providing we get married by then." There, he had done it. It hadn't been too hard to convince the board members on how they would profit by allowing him to buy the property, and pay it off in five years. He knew by that time he could win Elizabeth's heart, and he would own her and the land as well.
Beth's eyes welled up, tears spilling, as she listened to what Ethan was saying. He was asking her to join him in a loveless marriage for five years. Actually, the amount of time didn't matter, she just didn't know how she could marry and live with someone she didn't love, and yet, she thought of her father, and how hard he had worked for what they had now. Could she just let it go? Didn't she have an obligation to keep a promise to her father, her mother and brother. This was something that could, no, would have made her father proud of her.
"Well?" Ethan looked at her hopefully.
"You said you talked to my mother?" Beth swallowed as Ethan nodded his head.
"We can both go back and talk to your mother, tonight, if you want. I just want you to know though, Elizabeth, that I will take very good care of you, and I will love and honor you in the way you deserve to be treated. Your mother did say it would have to be your decision. I can only hope you will make the right one."
Beth stood and gently put her hand alongside Ethan's face. Was he being sincere, or was Buck right about not being able to trust him? She trusted Buck, but she knew how insecure he was anyway, and besides, she has known Ethan longer than Buck has. In fact, she's known Ethan longer than she's known Buck. He probably wasn't the best person, but no one was perfect.
"Elizabeth? Do you want to wait and talk to your mother? Or do you want me to go tell the bank board members the deal is off? I want to do what you want me to, but time is of the essence. In two, days we have to either sign the papers or let the bank take the deed back." Ethan stressed the last part.
Before losing her nerve, Beth quickly answered. "Okay, I'll do it. I'll marry you. But you have to understand it's for my father that I'm doing it. And I'm only going to do it because you have been a trusted friend of the family for so long. I'm sorry Ethan, I don't want to hurt you, but I'll never love you. My heart belongs to another. I can only hope that he will still feel the same way five years from now about me."
Ethan took the ring from her hand and slipped it on her finger, just as Buck was coming out of the barn. Neither he nor Elizabeth realized that they were being watched by the Kiowa.
"I know I cannot force you to love me, but I will still treat you like a princess, Elizabeth. I am honored that you have accepted my proposal.” After saying this, Ethan leaned down and kissed Beth softly on the lips.
After seeing this exchange, although he couldn't hear what had been said, Buck turned back to the barn, tears stinging his eyes. Entering the corral adjacent to the barn, he chose the black gelding he had been breaking for the past two weeks. Instead of bothering to saddle him, Buck just used a bridle, and quietly led the horse down by the creek running just beyond the barn. He glanced one more time at the two people still standing by the old oak then climbed aboard the horse bareback and gently walked him through the creek to the brush on the other side. After clearing the brush, he would have miles and miles of open range to be able to lose himself in. He was just hoping he could lose his feelings for Beth as well, as he kicked the horse into a lope, and then into a full run, letting the early night air blow through his hair.
Standing over the two like an overprotective father meeting his daughter’s chosen one for the very first time, Ethan gave Buck a stern look. “Don’t you have work to do?”
When he saw the look in Ethan’s eye, Buck was quick to withdraw from Beth. It had felt so nice to be close to her, but he also knew that he didn’t want to see Ethan mad. Mumbling something about mucking out stalls under his breath, Buck disappeared into the barn.
Beth looked after Buck, wondering why he suddenly disappeared. “What’s going on?” she asked Ethan when he blocked her view to the barn.
Quickly changing his demeanor, Ethan answered Elizabeth's question.
"I have something I need to discuss with you. Something very important about the farm and the bank note."
Elizabeth, sounding a bit put off because she and Buck had been interrupted, abruptly asked. "Couldn't this have waited until later? What could be so important about the bank note that you couldn't wait?"
Ethan, trying his schoolboy charm on her, once more answered, this time with a bit of a plea in his voice.
"I tried real hard Elizabeth, I really did, to get the note settled without any stipulations, but the bank board members..........."
"But you said the farm was okay. You said the bank accepted your offer to pay the loan, and that we, in turn, could pay you back. Has something changed?" Beth couldn't help but feel apprehensive.
Looking down at his feet, Ethan moved the toe of his boot around in the dirt. When he looked back up, his usual self-assured facial expression was replaced with one of insecurity and concern. He hoped he had mastered the look he was going for, and when he saw Beth's face soften, he knew he had. Now, it was time for his news.
Ethan gestured toward the swing where Beth sat only minutes before with Buck.
"Can we sit?" he asked.
"I suppose we could go inside." Beth suggested, as she felt uncomfortable at the thought of sitting with another man in the same place, she had sat with the man she had very strong feelings for.
"It's probably just as well that we stand, since what I have to say is really important." He reached out to take her hand with his.
"Beth, after talking with you and your mother, the Bank's President came to talk to me again. Now, I've already talked with your mother about this, and she told me this would have to be your decision." Ethan’s green eyes gazed longingly into Beth’s.
Blushing for a reason she didn't know, Beth spoke, almost in a whisper. "Elizabeth."
"Pardon?" Ethan looked at her puzzled.
"Oh........nothing. I would just like you to call me Elizabeth, not Beth, please. Elizabeth is my name." She didn't like the way the name Beth rolled off his tongue.
"Fine, I'm sorry.........Elizabeth." Ethan smiled. " I need to know how important keeping this farm in your family is to you. Your mother tells me it was your father's pride and joy, and that he was working hard to make a go of it."
"Why are you asking this? I thought you knew how important the farm is to me. If I can, I will do anything to make sure that mother does not lose it. I will work two, even three jobs if I have to, whatever it takes. Is that what this is about? You're worried about how my family will pay you back? Because you don't........"
Ethan put his finger on her mouth to still her rambling.
"That's not what this is about. What it is, however, is the opportunity for you and your mother to retain possession of the farm sooner than what was drawn up before." Ethan waited for Beth's reaction.
"What are you talking about?" The chance for her to make sure her father's hard work wasn't in vain somehow intrigued Beth, yet she was nervous about what Ethan had in mind. Still, she needed to hear what he had to say. "Okay, I'm listening." Beth let out a short breath, and sat down on the swing to steady her nerves.
All through this Ethan kept a firm hold on her hand. Now taking his other hand, he reached into the pocket of his jacket, pulling out a small bag. He turned Beth's hand over and dumped the contents of the bag into it. Beth gasped when she saw the gold circle with the shining clear stone in the middle. She was speechless, the ring was beautiful. Beth looked up to see Ethan's eyes actually misted over with tears.
"I would love it, if you would accept this ring, and agree to be my wife." Ethan hesitated, but before Beth could respond, he continued.” At least for five years. Then, if it's not what you want, you're free to go. It's the only way I could get the board members to agree to put the deed in your family name.............to be given back to you, free and clear, with nothing owing, five years from Saturday, providing we get married by then." There, he had done it. It hadn't been too hard to convince the board members on how they would profit by allowing him to buy the property, and pay it off in five years. He knew by that time he could win Elizabeth's heart, and he would own her and the land as well.
Beth's eyes welled up, tears spilling, as she listened to what Ethan was saying. He was asking her to join him in a loveless marriage for five years. Actually, the amount of time didn't matter, she just didn't know how she could marry and live with someone she didn't love, and yet, she thought of her father, and how hard he had worked for what they had now. Could she just let it go? Didn't she have an obligation to keep a promise to her father, her mother and brother. This was something that could, no, would have made her father proud of her.
"Well?" Ethan looked at her hopefully.
"You said you talked to my mother?" Beth swallowed as Ethan nodded his head.
"We can both go back and talk to your mother, tonight, if you want. I just want you to know though, Elizabeth, that I will take very good care of you, and I will love and honor you in the way you deserve to be treated. Your mother did say it would have to be your decision. I can only hope you will make the right one."
Beth stood and gently put her hand alongside Ethan's face. Was he being sincere, or was Buck right about not being able to trust him? She trusted Buck, but she knew how insecure he was anyway, and besides, she has known Ethan longer than Buck has. In fact, she's known Ethan longer than she's known Buck. He probably wasn't the best person, but no one was perfect.
"Elizabeth? Do you want to wait and talk to your mother? Or do you want me to go tell the bank board members the deal is off? I want to do what you want me to, but time is of the essence. In two, days we have to either sign the papers or let the bank take the deed back." Ethan stressed the last part.
Before losing her nerve, Beth quickly answered. "Okay, I'll do it. I'll marry you. But you have to understand it's for my father that I'm doing it. And I'm only going to do it because you have been a trusted friend of the family for so long. I'm sorry Ethan, I don't want to hurt you, but I'll never love you. My heart belongs to another. I can only hope that he will still feel the same way five years from now about me."
Ethan took the ring from her hand and slipped it on her finger, just as Buck was coming out of the barn. Neither he nor Elizabeth realized that they were being watched by the Kiowa.
"I know I cannot force you to love me, but I will still treat you like a princess, Elizabeth. I am honored that you have accepted my proposal.” After saying this, Ethan leaned down and kissed Beth softly on the lips.
After seeing this exchange, although he couldn't hear what had been said, Buck turned back to the barn, tears stinging his eyes. Entering the corral adjacent to the barn, he chose the black gelding he had been breaking for the past two weeks. Instead of bothering to saddle him, Buck just used a bridle, and quietly led the horse down by the creek running just beyond the barn. He glanced one more time at the two people still standing by the old oak then climbed aboard the horse bareback and gently walked him through the creek to the brush on the other side. After clearing the brush, he would have miles and miles of open range to be able to lose himself in. He was just hoping he could lose his feelings for Beth as well, as he kicked the horse into a lope, and then into a full run, letting the early night air blow through his hair.
Thirty Four
Kid saw Buck ride away and Elizabeth drop to her knees. He quickly covered the distance between where he'd been tending the stock and where she knelt.
"Elizabeth," he gently touched her arm.
"I've ruined everything," she sobbed. "He didn't let me explain so he doesn't understand."
Kid waited as Elizabeth struggled with her emotions. When she stopped sobbing, he asked, "Explain what?"
"About why I agreed to marry Ethan," Elizabeth managed to say before she once more started to sob.
Kid helped her to her feet and slowly walked her across the yard to the house he shared with Lou. He talked Elizabeth into sitting and waiting while he got Lou, and then he left the two of them to talk while he went to get Mrs. Sturgis.
When he pulled up to the house, Zander met him. "Is it true?" he asked.
"Is what true?" Kid replied as he dismounted and headed up the porch steps.
"Is Beth really going to marry that Jefferson jerk?"
Kid shrugged. "I don't know," he said. "That's why I came to see your mother. Is she here?"
Zander shook his head. "She went into town with Ethan; something about the bank note and a wedding."
Kid stopped and went to mount Katy. He reached down, "You want to come with me to see if we can figure this out?"
Zander nodded and quickly swung into the saddle behind Kid.
"Elizabeth," he gently touched her arm.
"I've ruined everything," she sobbed. "He didn't let me explain so he doesn't understand."
Kid waited as Elizabeth struggled with her emotions. When she stopped sobbing, he asked, "Explain what?"
"About why I agreed to marry Ethan," Elizabeth managed to say before she once more started to sob.
Kid helped her to her feet and slowly walked her across the yard to the house he shared with Lou. He talked Elizabeth into sitting and waiting while he got Lou, and then he left the two of them to talk while he went to get Mrs. Sturgis.
When he pulled up to the house, Zander met him. "Is it true?" he asked.
"Is what true?" Kid replied as he dismounted and headed up the porch steps.
"Is Beth really going to marry that Jefferson jerk?"
Kid shrugged. "I don't know," he said. "That's why I came to see your mother. Is she here?"
Zander shook his head. "She went into town with Ethan; something about the bank note and a wedding."
Kid stopped and went to mount Katy. He reached down, "You want to come with me to see if we can figure this out?"
Zander nodded and quickly swung into the saddle behind Kid.
Thirty Five
Zander and Kid arrived in time just as Mrs. Sturgis and Ethan Jefferson were entering the bank. As Kid pulled Katy to a stop, Zander dismounted and ran across the street yelling, "Mama, wait! I need to tell you something important."
Mrs. Sturgis stopped when she heard her son. She looked at him as he ran. "You go on in, Ethan," she said. "I need to tend to my little hellion here before he gets himself into trouble."
Ethan smiled his best smile and reassured her. "It's alright. I'll wait here; maybe I can help with whatever the problem is." He felt fairly certain he knew what the trouble was, and he wanted to make sure this uncouth child did not ruin his plans. The first thing I'm going to do once Elizabeth and I are married is send this boy away to school, Ethan thought to himself. That way he can't interfere with my plans to take over the property and make it into the fancy dancehall/brothel I have in mind. As he watched Mrs. Sturgis calm Zander, he plotted how to get rid of her as well; he'd never be able to convince her that his plans were what was best for the family. She'd have some type of moral objection he was certain.
"Can we go someplace and talk in private?" Zander asked when he realized that Ethan wasn't going inside the bank, but was waiting.
"Mr. Jefferson is going to be family soon," Mrs. Sturgis said. "You can tell me whatever needs telling in front of him."
Zander glared at the man beside his mother. He wasn't sure how to tell her how upset Elizabeth was, or how he knew what an evil man Ethan Jefferson was. He wasn't sure he wanted to tell anyone about what Ethan had done back east...why it was he had stopped coming by the house the weeks before they had left. Zander had been so young then, and he was sure no one would believe him.
He looked at the man standing next to his mother as he tried to make up his mind. When the man returned his gaze and Zander saw the blankness in his eyes, he decided he needed to try - Elizabeth couldn't ruin her life by marrying this monster instead of Buck. There had to be another way to save the farm.
"Mrs. Sturgis, I really think we need to talk. Beth is very upset."
Kid found himself pleading with the woman. He wasn't much for having a sixth sense, but he was starting to get a very bad feeling about this situation.
"Elizabeth is not your concern Mr....Kid whatever your name is." Ethan looked down his nose at the man standing in the street, dusty from a day's work. He might have money, but he was still just an uneducated rancher. "You may be her employer, for now, but she'll soon be my wife."
When he saw his future mother-in-law staring at him, Ethan tried to change his tune. "Of course, we don't want to leave your poor wife without any help...I'm sure something can be worked out."
"Please Mama," Zander looked up at his mother, and something in his eyes made the woman give in.
"Give us just a moment Ethan," with that she walked a few steps away with her son.
"You can't let Elizabeth marry him Mama. She doesn't even love him. She loves Buck, besides, he's..."
"Zander, this is a very complicated situation. Mr. Jefferson is going to work things out so that we can keep the farm. You don't want to have to move again do you, and start at another new school? He's a good man."
"But Mama you don't understand..."
"He cares for Elizabeth very much, and I'm sure in time she'll see that this really was for the best."
"But he did things...."
"What kind of things Zander?" Suddenly Kid was there, prompting him, and the older man's presence seemed to give the boy some confidence.
"Remember the Henderson's housekeeper? Molly?"
Anna Sturgis' brow knitted in concern. 'How in the world did the boy remember her? He'd been so young when she disappeared.'
"Yes, I remember her."
"Well..." the boy swallowed, and glanced at Kid. It was now or never.
"Excuse me, Anna...if we're going to get this taken care of, we really should be going." Ethan smiled condescendingly, interrupting at just the right time.
"We're havin' a private conversation. Can't you wait five minutes?" Kid barked.
"What were you going to say Zander? What about Molly?"
Kid watched Ethan Jefferson's face at the mention of the girls name. There was a flicker of fear in his eyes, and then it was gone, as he stared down the boy in front of him. Instinctively, Kid reached to put an arm around Zander and pull him away from the man that he was growing more and more suspicious of.
"You know, it is getting to be about lunch time. Maybe you'd better go on in before they close Mrs. Sturgis."
She watched the exchange of glances between the two men and her son, trying to figure out what was going on. She was beginning to feel overwhelmed by all of the changes that were going on around her.
"All right, I suppose we should get this done. Zander, you stay here with Kid. We'll be back in a bit."
Kid waited until the pair had gone inside the bank before he turned to the boy.
"What happened to Molly?" he asked.
Mrs. Sturgis stopped when she heard her son. She looked at him as he ran. "You go on in, Ethan," she said. "I need to tend to my little hellion here before he gets himself into trouble."
Ethan smiled his best smile and reassured her. "It's alright. I'll wait here; maybe I can help with whatever the problem is." He felt fairly certain he knew what the trouble was, and he wanted to make sure this uncouth child did not ruin his plans. The first thing I'm going to do once Elizabeth and I are married is send this boy away to school, Ethan thought to himself. That way he can't interfere with my plans to take over the property and make it into the fancy dancehall/brothel I have in mind. As he watched Mrs. Sturgis calm Zander, he plotted how to get rid of her as well; he'd never be able to convince her that his plans were what was best for the family. She'd have some type of moral objection he was certain.
"Can we go someplace and talk in private?" Zander asked when he realized that Ethan wasn't going inside the bank, but was waiting.
"Mr. Jefferson is going to be family soon," Mrs. Sturgis said. "You can tell me whatever needs telling in front of him."
Zander glared at the man beside his mother. He wasn't sure how to tell her how upset Elizabeth was, or how he knew what an evil man Ethan Jefferson was. He wasn't sure he wanted to tell anyone about what Ethan had done back east...why it was he had stopped coming by the house the weeks before they had left. Zander had been so young then, and he was sure no one would believe him.
He looked at the man standing next to his mother as he tried to make up his mind. When the man returned his gaze and Zander saw the blankness in his eyes, he decided he needed to try - Elizabeth couldn't ruin her life by marrying this monster instead of Buck. There had to be another way to save the farm.
"Mrs. Sturgis, I really think we need to talk. Beth is very upset."
Kid found himself pleading with the woman. He wasn't much for having a sixth sense, but he was starting to get a very bad feeling about this situation.
"Elizabeth is not your concern Mr....Kid whatever your name is." Ethan looked down his nose at the man standing in the street, dusty from a day's work. He might have money, but he was still just an uneducated rancher. "You may be her employer, for now, but she'll soon be my wife."
When he saw his future mother-in-law staring at him, Ethan tried to change his tune. "Of course, we don't want to leave your poor wife without any help...I'm sure something can be worked out."
"Please Mama," Zander looked up at his mother, and something in his eyes made the woman give in.
"Give us just a moment Ethan," with that she walked a few steps away with her son.
"You can't let Elizabeth marry him Mama. She doesn't even love him. She loves Buck, besides, he's..."
"Zander, this is a very complicated situation. Mr. Jefferson is going to work things out so that we can keep the farm. You don't want to have to move again do you, and start at another new school? He's a good man."
"But Mama you don't understand..."
"He cares for Elizabeth very much, and I'm sure in time she'll see that this really was for the best."
"But he did things...."
"What kind of things Zander?" Suddenly Kid was there, prompting him, and the older man's presence seemed to give the boy some confidence.
"Remember the Henderson's housekeeper? Molly?"
Anna Sturgis' brow knitted in concern. 'How in the world did the boy remember her? He'd been so young when she disappeared.'
"Yes, I remember her."
"Well..." the boy swallowed, and glanced at Kid. It was now or never.
"Excuse me, Anna...if we're going to get this taken care of, we really should be going." Ethan smiled condescendingly, interrupting at just the right time.
"We're havin' a private conversation. Can't you wait five minutes?" Kid barked.
"What were you going to say Zander? What about Molly?"
Kid watched Ethan Jefferson's face at the mention of the girls name. There was a flicker of fear in his eyes, and then it was gone, as he stared down the boy in front of him. Instinctively, Kid reached to put an arm around Zander and pull him away from the man that he was growing more and more suspicious of.
"You know, it is getting to be about lunch time. Maybe you'd better go on in before they close Mrs. Sturgis."
She watched the exchange of glances between the two men and her son, trying to figure out what was going on. She was beginning to feel overwhelmed by all of the changes that were going on around her.
"All right, I suppose we should get this done. Zander, you stay here with Kid. We'll be back in a bit."
Kid waited until the pair had gone inside the bank before he turned to the boy.
"What happened to Molly?" he asked.
Thirty Six
"LOU!" Kid threw open the front door, with Zander on his heels, and called for his wife. "We got a problem!"
Louise sat in the parlor, with her son playing at her feet, and a still crying Elizabeth right next to her.
"I'd say that's an understatement Kid, since Beth is supposed to be getting married 2 days from now, and your foreman is nowhere to be found!"
"What do you mean? He ain't back yet?"
"No." Lou tried to stand up, and gratefully accepted her husband's help. Elizabeth sat silently, tears streaming down her face.
"Zander, why don't you sit with her for a while. I need to talk to my wife."
"What is it?" Lou asked quietly. She knew her husband well enough to know that something more was amiss.
"I just came from the bank with Zander. Mrs. Sturgis is still there, signin' some papers to get the farm back. We gotta stop this wedding."
"We can't Kid, Elizabeth said if she didn't marry Ethan Jefferson on Saturday...."
"I don't care what she said. We gotta find Buck, and put a stop to this right now."
As Kid went on to explain what he had learned from Zander, Lou's brown eyes grew wide.
"Does Lizbeth know about any of this?"
"I don't think anybody, but Zander knew until today."
Louise sat in the parlor, with her son playing at her feet, and a still crying Elizabeth right next to her.
"I'd say that's an understatement Kid, since Beth is supposed to be getting married 2 days from now, and your foreman is nowhere to be found!"
"What do you mean? He ain't back yet?"
"No." Lou tried to stand up, and gratefully accepted her husband's help. Elizabeth sat silently, tears streaming down her face.
"Zander, why don't you sit with her for a while. I need to talk to my wife."
"What is it?" Lou asked quietly. She knew her husband well enough to know that something more was amiss.
"I just came from the bank with Zander. Mrs. Sturgis is still there, signin' some papers to get the farm back. We gotta stop this wedding."
"We can't Kid, Elizabeth said if she didn't marry Ethan Jefferson on Saturday...."
"I don't care what she said. We gotta find Buck, and put a stop to this right now."
As Kid went on to explain what he had learned from Zander, Lou's brown eyes grew wide.
"Does Lizbeth know about any of this?"
"I don't think anybody, but Zander knew until today."
Thirty Seven
Buck found himself about 5 miles from home, sitting on top of the rise that looked toward the south. This was where he usually came if he needed to think. Funny, but he hadn't been here since he'd met Beth. Not once.
Maybe that was the problem, he thought to himself. Maybe if he'd stopped to think for a minute, he would have seen this coming a mile away. He could blame it on her, but really, it wasn't her fault. The fault lay in who he was, and that was something that he could not change, no matter how much money he had, or how much land he acquired. He was still a half breed, and there was no place for him in her life. He knew that now, despite what his heart told him.
"What's wrong with me Ike?" he talked to his friend as if Ike was sitting right beside him. "I'm usually so much smarter than this." Buck shook his head, as if trying to clear it of a fog.
"I just can't figure how I let this get so out of hand."
It's because you love her...
"I barely even know her. Figured that out when she introduced me to that thief as her "friend." Now she's gonna marry him in two days, time."
She's confused. She feels she has to do this for her mother's sake. Now that her father is gone...
"Her father was a drunk. If he hadn't squandered all their money they wouldn't be in this position."
You don't know that...
"I heard the way he spoke to her. How could he talk that way to her? Couldn't he see how special she is?"
Why don't you go back and talk to her? There's still time...
"If she wanted to talk to me, she would have told me about the farm before she signed some deal in blood with Ethan Jefferson. She's doing what she wants to do. Whatever I thought we had means nothing now." Buck’s tone was full of bitterness.
It is never too late to tell someone you love them Buck...
Buck sighed heavily and dropped his head in his hands. With a mirthless laugh, he wondered what Beth would think if she came upon him now, talking out loud, to no one, in the middle of nowhere. She'd think he was crazy. Maybe he was.
He sat there, past sunset, and then, finally, got up to make his way home. He took his time, meandering a bit, hoping that when he got back to his small house at the ranch, everyone else would be in bed asleep. He was wrong.
"Sure took you long enough to show up." Kid sat on Buck's small front porch with his foot against the railing. "I been sittin' here for at least an hour."
"Go to bed Kid. I'm sure your wife needs you."
"Not 'til I find out what the hell's goin' on with you. What were you thinkin' takin' off like that? We had no idea where you were."
"What I do on my time is my business, Kid. I'm your foreman, but you don't own me." Buck spoke curtly to his friend.
Kid blinked at Buck’s words, looking as if Buck had slapped him in the face.
"No, I don't. We're family Buck. At least I thought we were. Lou's been worried sick all afternoon, and Beth..."
At the mention of her name, Buck pushed past Kid to open the front door to his home.
"Hey, I'm still talkin' to you!"
"Well I'm done talkin'. At least about her. She's another man's wife, and what happens to her ain't my concern anymore. It never was."
"She ain't married yet. That's what we gotta talk about..."
"I said I don't want too. Just leave it alone!" Buck spoke through gritted teeth, his frustration level increasing. Kid took a step back. He had never seen his friend quite so on edge.
"She's in danger Buck."
"What do you mean she's in danger?" Buck asked, suddenly concerned for Elizabeth’s well, being.
“It’s that Ethan Jefferson he’s done some things he thought wouldn’t get back to him, but thanks to Zander we found out just in time.” Kid said knowingly.
“You mean Zander knows something about Ethan that could harm Beth?” Buck said. He couldn’t help use his special name for her.
“Yes. Buck what I’m going to tell you you’re not going to like. Kid said apprehensively. “Kid, tell me now or I’ll go find Zander myself.” Buck warned.
“Zander told me that when he was younger living back, east he saw Ethan rape and beat a girl who worked in a home in their town as a housekeeper but, that’s not the worst part. Zander also saw him kill this girl when she tried to get away from him when he tried to rape her over again a second time. Zander said that Ethan told her he wasn’t going to let some dirt, poor, whore keep him from getting his pleasure. Zander said he slit her throat and dumped her body in a ravine. The family she worked for reported her missing two days after Ethan killed her. She was never found. Zander was about eight years old at the time and was afraid to tell someone.” Kid answered worriedly
“Does Ethan know that Zander knows? Buck questioned. “I’m sure he’s figured it out by now. Zander tried to tell his mother in front of Ethan but, she was rushed off to the bank by that bastard before he could say anything. Buck, I’m scared for both Lizbeth and Zander. God only knows what he’ll do to them when he finds out what Zander knows. I’m also concerned about Mrs. Sturgis. Ethan has made it into her good graces and I don’t think he will allow any kind of truth to be told. We have to do something.” Kid told Buck.
Buck thought a moment. “Go get Mrs. Sturgis and Zander early tomorrow morning. Tell them that Beth wants her family around her before the wedding. Make it so Mrs. Sturgis won’t say no. I’ll do the rest.” Buck said with a look of determination on his face.
“You sure you know what you’re doin’ Buck?” Kid queried.
“I’ve never been more, sure in all my life.” Buck answered.
"And Kid," Buck called after his friend as he stepped into the yard. Kid turned to see the serious look on Buck's face.
"If anybody asks, I didn't come home tonight. You ain't seen me."
Kid nodded and headed back to the main house.
Maybe that was the problem, he thought to himself. Maybe if he'd stopped to think for a minute, he would have seen this coming a mile away. He could blame it on her, but really, it wasn't her fault. The fault lay in who he was, and that was something that he could not change, no matter how much money he had, or how much land he acquired. He was still a half breed, and there was no place for him in her life. He knew that now, despite what his heart told him.
"What's wrong with me Ike?" he talked to his friend as if Ike was sitting right beside him. "I'm usually so much smarter than this." Buck shook his head, as if trying to clear it of a fog.
"I just can't figure how I let this get so out of hand."
It's because you love her...
"I barely even know her. Figured that out when she introduced me to that thief as her "friend." Now she's gonna marry him in two days, time."
She's confused. She feels she has to do this for her mother's sake. Now that her father is gone...
"Her father was a drunk. If he hadn't squandered all their money they wouldn't be in this position."
You don't know that...
"I heard the way he spoke to her. How could he talk that way to her? Couldn't he see how special she is?"
Why don't you go back and talk to her? There's still time...
"If she wanted to talk to me, she would have told me about the farm before she signed some deal in blood with Ethan Jefferson. She's doing what she wants to do. Whatever I thought we had means nothing now." Buck’s tone was full of bitterness.
It is never too late to tell someone you love them Buck...
Buck sighed heavily and dropped his head in his hands. With a mirthless laugh, he wondered what Beth would think if she came upon him now, talking out loud, to no one, in the middle of nowhere. She'd think he was crazy. Maybe he was.
He sat there, past sunset, and then, finally, got up to make his way home. He took his time, meandering a bit, hoping that when he got back to his small house at the ranch, everyone else would be in bed asleep. He was wrong.
"Sure took you long enough to show up." Kid sat on Buck's small front porch with his foot against the railing. "I been sittin' here for at least an hour."
"Go to bed Kid. I'm sure your wife needs you."
"Not 'til I find out what the hell's goin' on with you. What were you thinkin' takin' off like that? We had no idea where you were."
"What I do on my time is my business, Kid. I'm your foreman, but you don't own me." Buck spoke curtly to his friend.
Kid blinked at Buck’s words, looking as if Buck had slapped him in the face.
"No, I don't. We're family Buck. At least I thought we were. Lou's been worried sick all afternoon, and Beth..."
At the mention of her name, Buck pushed past Kid to open the front door to his home.
"Hey, I'm still talkin' to you!"
"Well I'm done talkin'. At least about her. She's another man's wife, and what happens to her ain't my concern anymore. It never was."
"She ain't married yet. That's what we gotta talk about..."
"I said I don't want too. Just leave it alone!" Buck spoke through gritted teeth, his frustration level increasing. Kid took a step back. He had never seen his friend quite so on edge.
"She's in danger Buck."
"What do you mean she's in danger?" Buck asked, suddenly concerned for Elizabeth’s well, being.
“It’s that Ethan Jefferson he’s done some things he thought wouldn’t get back to him, but thanks to Zander we found out just in time.” Kid said knowingly.
“You mean Zander knows something about Ethan that could harm Beth?” Buck said. He couldn’t help use his special name for her.
“Yes. Buck what I’m going to tell you you’re not going to like. Kid said apprehensively. “Kid, tell me now or I’ll go find Zander myself.” Buck warned.
“Zander told me that when he was younger living back, east he saw Ethan rape and beat a girl who worked in a home in their town as a housekeeper but, that’s not the worst part. Zander also saw him kill this girl when she tried to get away from him when he tried to rape her over again a second time. Zander said that Ethan told her he wasn’t going to let some dirt, poor, whore keep him from getting his pleasure. Zander said he slit her throat and dumped her body in a ravine. The family she worked for reported her missing two days after Ethan killed her. She was never found. Zander was about eight years old at the time and was afraid to tell someone.” Kid answered worriedly
“Does Ethan know that Zander knows? Buck questioned. “I’m sure he’s figured it out by now. Zander tried to tell his mother in front of Ethan but, she was rushed off to the bank by that bastard before he could say anything. Buck, I’m scared for both Lizbeth and Zander. God only knows what he’ll do to them when he finds out what Zander knows. I’m also concerned about Mrs. Sturgis. Ethan has made it into her good graces and I don’t think he will allow any kind of truth to be told. We have to do something.” Kid told Buck.
Buck thought a moment. “Go get Mrs. Sturgis and Zander early tomorrow morning. Tell them that Beth wants her family around her before the wedding. Make it so Mrs. Sturgis won’t say no. I’ll do the rest.” Buck said with a look of determination on his face.
“You sure you know what you’re doin’ Buck?” Kid queried.
“I’ve never been more, sure in all my life.” Buck answered.
"And Kid," Buck called after his friend as he stepped into the yard. Kid turned to see the serious look on Buck's face.
"If anybody asks, I didn't come home tonight. You ain't seen me."
Kid nodded and headed back to the main house.
Thirty Eight
Elizabeth Sturgis spent the next 48 hours in a haze. She was preparing for her wedding, which should have been the happiest time of her life, and yet, though she felt many emotions, happiness wasn't one of them.
She put on a good face for her mother, who was obviously relieved that her daughter was going to marry into a respectable family, and for once in her life, would not have to worry about finances or any creature comforts. As they sat at the dressmaker's, hastily choosing a gown that Ethan would pay for, Elizabeth felt like she was stuck in someone else's body, looking out through the eyes of someone who did and said all the right things, but felt nothing. She was trapped.
After the dress was chosen, and details were finalized at the church, Ethan met them at the restaurant for lunch. Standing outside the building, Elizabeth glanced up and down the street, hoping to get a glimpse of Buck. No one had heard a word from him since he left two days earlier, not even Kid and Lou. Though she couldn't imagine that Buck would leave everything that he had worked so hard for because of her, with each passing hour it became clearer that he might never return. Now, she just wanted to see him one last time.
"Elizabeth, are you coming my dear?" Ethan held the door for her, the smile on his face making him look like a snake about to strike. It turned Elizabeth's stomach.
“I'm sorry Ethan, I have a terrible headache. I think I'll just go back home and lie down for a while."
The smile left his face immediately. "I don't think it's a good idea for you to ride back alone."
"Please Ethan, I'm exhausted. After tomorrow you'll have me to worry about every day. I just need a bit of rest." She smiled sweetly, feeling desperate to get away from him.
He eyed her suspiciously before giving in. "Very well. I'll come check later this afternoon. There are some last, minute things I need to take care of. I'll explain to your mother."
Elizabeth smiled her thanks, and hurriedly got into the buckboard, urging the horses to a quick trot back to the McCloud Cross ranch. She breathed deeply, but the heat of the day had become stifling, as if the very air was closing in around her.
As she pulled the reins to a stop at the barn, her brother, who had been staying with the McCloud’s the last couple of days, came out to tend to the horses.
"You're back early." he observed.
"I'm not feeling well. Ethan and Mother went on to lunch."
Zander nodded. He could see that his sister was barely holding herself together, but it would do no good to point it out. Kid had advised him to keep the information he had to himself...for now. The boy kept hoping that someone would step in and stop this madness, but it seemed that, at least in this situation, the adults were just as powerless as he was. Silently, he unhitched the horses and led them into the barn.
Beth was about to go into the main house when she turned and looked to the west, she began walking in that direction, and didn't stop until Buck's house came into view.
She had only been here once before, the day that Buck left. She felt a lump in her throat as she remembered the awful, cold look in Buck's eyes when he spoke to her that day. She hadn't realized until it was too late how much he felt for her, and how much she had hurt him. Staring at the obviously empty house, Elizabeth felt a tear run down her cheek and bit her lip to keep from crying. If she started now, she might never stop.
"Where are you Buck? I need you."
She put on a good face for her mother, who was obviously relieved that her daughter was going to marry into a respectable family, and for once in her life, would not have to worry about finances or any creature comforts. As they sat at the dressmaker's, hastily choosing a gown that Ethan would pay for, Elizabeth felt like she was stuck in someone else's body, looking out through the eyes of someone who did and said all the right things, but felt nothing. She was trapped.
After the dress was chosen, and details were finalized at the church, Ethan met them at the restaurant for lunch. Standing outside the building, Elizabeth glanced up and down the street, hoping to get a glimpse of Buck. No one had heard a word from him since he left two days earlier, not even Kid and Lou. Though she couldn't imagine that Buck would leave everything that he had worked so hard for because of her, with each passing hour it became clearer that he might never return. Now, she just wanted to see him one last time.
"Elizabeth, are you coming my dear?" Ethan held the door for her, the smile on his face making him look like a snake about to strike. It turned Elizabeth's stomach.
“I'm sorry Ethan, I have a terrible headache. I think I'll just go back home and lie down for a while."
The smile left his face immediately. "I don't think it's a good idea for you to ride back alone."
"Please Ethan, I'm exhausted. After tomorrow you'll have me to worry about every day. I just need a bit of rest." She smiled sweetly, feeling desperate to get away from him.
He eyed her suspiciously before giving in. "Very well. I'll come check later this afternoon. There are some last, minute things I need to take care of. I'll explain to your mother."
Elizabeth smiled her thanks, and hurriedly got into the buckboard, urging the horses to a quick trot back to the McCloud Cross ranch. She breathed deeply, but the heat of the day had become stifling, as if the very air was closing in around her.
As she pulled the reins to a stop at the barn, her brother, who had been staying with the McCloud’s the last couple of days, came out to tend to the horses.
"You're back early." he observed.
"I'm not feeling well. Ethan and Mother went on to lunch."
Zander nodded. He could see that his sister was barely holding herself together, but it would do no good to point it out. Kid had advised him to keep the information he had to himself...for now. The boy kept hoping that someone would step in and stop this madness, but it seemed that, at least in this situation, the adults were just as powerless as he was. Silently, he unhitched the horses and led them into the barn.
Beth was about to go into the main house when she turned and looked to the west, she began walking in that direction, and didn't stop until Buck's house came into view.
She had only been here once before, the day that Buck left. She felt a lump in her throat as she remembered the awful, cold look in Buck's eyes when he spoke to her that day. She hadn't realized until it was too late how much he felt for her, and how much she had hurt him. Staring at the obviously empty house, Elizabeth felt a tear run down her cheek and bit her lip to keep from crying. If she started now, she might never stop.
"Where are you Buck? I need you."
Thirty Nine
Elizabeth had hoped that, somehow, Buck would be right there by her side after she called for him. Yet, that wasn't the case. He didn't just suddenly appear because she needed him, in fact, with the amount of time he had been gone, Elizabeth knew in her heart that she had lost the only man she had, or would, ever love. The only man she had given her heart to, and one who didn't expect anything in particular from her. The more she thought about him being gone, the harder it was for her to keep the tears that had built up, from finally spilling over. She knew she looked weak and defeated, but at this moment she didn't care. Though she had sworn to herself that she would never let a man make her cry again, right now she felt obligated to fulfill what had somehow become her destiny. She wasn't truly sure who, or what the tears were for. Part of her, the biggest part, cried because she missed and needed Buck. The other part of her was her anger at herself for letting Ethan find a way to manipulate his way into her life so much that he actually believed this mock marriage between the two of them would someday turn into a real marriage. But Elizabeth knew that was never going to happen. She knew Ethan anticipated her cooperation in the marriage, although she had no intention of consummating it.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Elizabeth turned with the hope that it would be Buck. Instead, it was Kid.
"It's starting to get chilly." He stated. "Don't you think you'd better come inside the house? It's time to put Noah down for the night, and Lou's worried that he won't settle down if we wait too long to put him to bed."
Elizabeth wiped the tears from her cheeks with the sleeve of her dress, and stood from where she had been sitting. She knew that Kid could handle the situation with Noah and bed, and realized he was just trying, in his own way, to help her get her mind off of who was missing, or the wedding planned for tomorrow.
"I'll be right there." she said as she looked at Kid.
Kid nodded in understanding, and turned to go back to the house.
Elizabeth started to slowly follow Kid to the house, suddenly turning around and running back to Buck's home. Placing her cheek against his door, she sobbed.
"Oh Buck, I've been such a fool. I don't think I can go through with this arranged marriage without............"
"Without what?" she was interrupted by a male voice.
She turned around to see her brother standing there, staring at her as if she'd lost all her senses.
"Zander, you should be in bed?" Although she was embarrassed at the idea of her brother catching her being foolish, she persisted in her big sister way, pretending that she had not been caught acting foolish.
"Tomorrow will be a very busy day, and Mother needs you to be well rested."
Zander looked down at the ground. When he had decided to come tell his sister why she couldn't marry Ethan Jefferson, he had been so sure he could do it. Now, seeing the pain she already held in her eyes, he thought back to the conversation he'd had with Kid, and thought better of it.
Looking up at his sister's teary face, he wanted so much for this nightmare to be over for her. He wasn't sure what Kid had meant when he told him things would be okay. He knew Kid was frightened for him, as well as for his mother and sister. Kid was afraid that if Ethan found out Zander knew his secret, none of the remaining Sturgis family would be safe. And Zander feared for his sister the most.
"I just wanted to make sure you were okay." He told her sheepishly. "I would think that you'd want to get your rest, since tomorrow you're the one who's taking a big step in her future."
As Elizabeth stared at her younger brother, she felt an overwhelming sense of pride in the young man. Most people thought of him as a troublemaker, or a bit of a rebel, but she knew better. Even she hadn't given him all the credit he deserved. She also felt a sense of guilt, as she realized their father's death had affected her brother as much, or maybe worse than it had her. After all, a boy was supposed to be his father's strong sidekick. And although Mr. Sturgis had been just as hard on him as he had been on her, Beth knew how proud her father was of Zander, and how much he loved him. In fact, even with everything bad that had happened while her father was still alive, she knew how much he had loved them all.
"You're right," she told her brother, smiling slightly to cover up the pain she felt at not being able to talk to Buck, "We should both probably turn in, as tomorrow will come much too soon."
Hearing footsteps behind her, Elizabeth turned with the hope that it would be Buck. Instead, it was Kid.
"It's starting to get chilly." He stated. "Don't you think you'd better come inside the house? It's time to put Noah down for the night, and Lou's worried that he won't settle down if we wait too long to put him to bed."
Elizabeth wiped the tears from her cheeks with the sleeve of her dress, and stood from where she had been sitting. She knew that Kid could handle the situation with Noah and bed, and realized he was just trying, in his own way, to help her get her mind off of who was missing, or the wedding planned for tomorrow.
"I'll be right there." she said as she looked at Kid.
Kid nodded in understanding, and turned to go back to the house.
Elizabeth started to slowly follow Kid to the house, suddenly turning around and running back to Buck's home. Placing her cheek against his door, she sobbed.
"Oh Buck, I've been such a fool. I don't think I can go through with this arranged marriage without............"
"Without what?" she was interrupted by a male voice.
She turned around to see her brother standing there, staring at her as if she'd lost all her senses.
"Zander, you should be in bed?" Although she was embarrassed at the idea of her brother catching her being foolish, she persisted in her big sister way, pretending that she had not been caught acting foolish.
"Tomorrow will be a very busy day, and Mother needs you to be well rested."
Zander looked down at the ground. When he had decided to come tell his sister why she couldn't marry Ethan Jefferson, he had been so sure he could do it. Now, seeing the pain she already held in her eyes, he thought back to the conversation he'd had with Kid, and thought better of it.
Looking up at his sister's teary face, he wanted so much for this nightmare to be over for her. He wasn't sure what Kid had meant when he told him things would be okay. He knew Kid was frightened for him, as well as for his mother and sister. Kid was afraid that if Ethan found out Zander knew his secret, none of the remaining Sturgis family would be safe. And Zander feared for his sister the most.
"I just wanted to make sure you were okay." He told her sheepishly. "I would think that you'd want to get your rest, since tomorrow you're the one who's taking a big step in her future."
As Elizabeth stared at her younger brother, she felt an overwhelming sense of pride in the young man. Most people thought of him as a troublemaker, or a bit of a rebel, but she knew better. Even she hadn't given him all the credit he deserved. She also felt a sense of guilt, as she realized their father's death had affected her brother as much, or maybe worse than it had her. After all, a boy was supposed to be his father's strong sidekick. And although Mr. Sturgis had been just as hard on him as he had been on her, Beth knew how proud her father was of Zander, and how much he loved him. In fact, even with everything bad that had happened while her father was still alive, she knew how much he had loved them all.
"You're right," she told her brother, smiling slightly to cover up the pain she felt at not being able to talk to Buck, "We should both probably turn in, as tomorrow will come much too soon."
Forty
Taking her brother's arm with her hand, she leaned her head on his shoulder. Without seeing it, Beth realized her brother had turned into a young man. She glanced at him, as she noticed he stood steadfast where he was, not budging to move with her toward the house.
"Zander, is there something you want to tell me?"
Taking a deep breath, Zander tried to find the strength he needed to warn her about Ethan.
"Lizbeth," he began to feel more courageous as he suddenly knew for sure that it was his place to protect both his sister and his mother. After all, hadn't his father's death made him the man of the family now?
"It's about Ethan. You can't marry him, he's........"
"Elizabeth, you have to come quick. I think Louise has gone into labor." Kid didn't realize he had interrupted a very important conversation, but right now all he cared about was the safety of his wife and new child. Grabbing Elizabeth by her hand he started dragging her to the house.
Beth could see the tears threatening to fall from Kid's eyes, as she ran breathlessly beside him. Calling over her shoulder, she was going to holler to Zander to go fetch the doctor. When she saw that he had already gone and saddled his horse, the sense of pride she'd felt earlier resurfaced.
The next moment as she and Kid ascended the porch steps, a scream hit their ears, one of pain and fear, coming from Kid and Lou's bedroom.
Kid threw the door to the bedroom open to find Lou doubled over in pain. His next glance at the floor by the bed, and partially the bed itself, told him that her water had broken.
Noah had started crying after being awakened by his mother's screams, and Kid sent Elizabeth to take care of him.
"Lou, what can I do to help you?" Kid tearfully asked his wife. Pulling her into an embrace, he kissed her lightly on the top of her head. Just then another contraction hit her, and Lou pulled Kid closer, almost crushing him as she let out another scream.
Kid knew that this was the most pain she had endured, because Lou had a very high tolerance for pain, and when she had given birth to their son, it had been one of the most beautiful times of their lives. She had a typical pregnancy with Noah, and when it was time for him to be born, Kid's fears had been for nothing, as his wife showed him their son only a few hours after her contractions had started.
"Where's the doctor?" Lou asked in between breaths. The tears on her face were very real.
"Zander went to get him, he should..........."
"He's not going to make it Kid, there's something terribly wrong." The fear that shown in his wife's eyes made Kid want to burst with anger. This was not the way this was supposed to happen. Even though she had been having problems all through the pregnancy, they had both hoped and dreamed of an uneventfully safe birth.
Kid felt Lou's arms slip from around his neck, as she passed out from the pain.
"Louise, nooooooooo" Kid tried to revive her. He couldn't bear the idea that she may be taken from him.
Feeling a strong hand grip his shoulder, Kid turned to see his best friend standing there.
"Go heat up some water Kid, I'll stay with her." Buck ordered.
When Kid didn't move, Buck grabbed him by the shoulders, pulling him up off the bed. Taking a quick glance at Lou, Buck shook his friend hard.
"Listen to me Kid, we have to help Lou have this baby, and we have to help her now. So, go do what I told you to."
"Buck, the doctor is on his way, Zander went to get him. I should stay with Lou."
"There isn't time to wait for the doctor, Kid. This baby isn't going to wait for him. I need you to help me help Lou. Now, go do what I asked. Please." Buck pleaded with his best friend.
As Kid started to leave the room, Buck gave him one more instruction. "You need to hurry Kid."
"Buck, are you sure you can do this?" Lizbeth had gotten Noah back to sleep, and had listened to the conversation between Kid and Buck.
Though he was happy to see Beth, Buck's mind had to stay concentrated on the task at hand, helping his friends.
Beth moved further into the room, closer to the bed.
"I could use whatever help you can give me." Buck gave Beth a hopeful look." Do you, have you, ever helped a woman give birth before?" He asked.
"No," Beth answered honestly. She had helped a horse give birth, but this was something new.
"Well, I have, but like I said I could use some help." Buck couldn't miss the surprised look on her face as Beth took in this information.
She started to ask him when.
"I'll tell you about it later, let's take care of Lou and my new niece or nephew first." Buck started a little, as Lou began coming to.
Buck saw that Lou was coming to and went into action. “Beth prop those pillows up behind Lou and help her sit up a bit.” Buck told a nervous Beth. Beth did as she was told. Lou was fully awake now and was shocked to see Buck at the end of the bed with his head under the blanket.
“BUCK! What in the heeeeeelllllllllll aaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!” Lou screamed as she went into another contraction.
“Lou, I need you to concentrate. You’ll have time to yell at me for being at this end later. I can see the head. I need you to push Lou! Now PUSH!
Lou took a hold of Beth’s hand like a vice grip and started to push. Buck saw what Lou felt was wrong with the baby. The cord was wrapped around its neck. “Lou, I need you to stop pushing!” Buck said to Lou.
"BUCK! I NEED TO PUSH!" Lou screamed.
“Lou the cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck I need to unravel it. You have to stop pushing!” Buck said forcefully.
Lou saw the worry in Buck’s face and instantly stopped pushing. Buck held the baby’s head and unraveled the cord and the color came back into the baby’s face.
“Now Lou push just a little bit. I have the cord off your baby’s neck and the color is back to normal. I just need you to push one more time.” Buck said as Lou pushed one last time. Lou screamed “KID YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO TOUCH ME AGAIN!!!!
As Lou pushed Buck guided the baby’s shoulders and body out into the world. There was silence and then a shrill cry from the baby.
“It’s a girl.” Buck said happily as he handed the baby to Beth so she could clean her off. Just as Buck handed the baby to Beth the doctor came rushing through the door along with Rachel who Zander had gotten after he went for the doctor.
“I guess I’m too late.” Said the doctor. “Now I need to check mother and child. You did a great job Buck. I’ll take it from here. Rachel would you mind tending to the baby.”
“It would be my pleasure, Doctor.” Rachel said as she took the baby from Beth. “You did a good job too Lizbeth.” Rachel said smiling at the girl.
Buck and Beth went downstairs to a waiting Kid and Noah who was wide awake. “Is Mama okay, Papa?” Noah asked with a sniffle and the look that he was about to burst into tears.
Kid was too preoccupied to answer his eldest child at the moment. “Yes, little man your mama is doing great and you have a new baby….” Buck said to Noah and whispered the part about it being a girl. Kid didn’t know yet and he wanted Lou to tell him.
Noah got a big smile on his face and said “I’m a big brother.” He was so proud he could burst.
Rachel came downstairs with the soiled linens and said you can go on up she ready for all of you. At those words Kid bounded up the stairs followed quickly by Buck carrying Noah with Beth bringing up the rear.
Kid knocked on the door and Louise said “Come on in Kid and the rest of you too.” Kid opened the door and saw his beautiful wife sitting up in bed with a little bundle in her arms. Noah climbed up on the bed carefully so he could get a look at this new little person in their life.
“Why’s she all squished up, Mama?” Noah asked innocently. They all laughed at his curiosity.
“Noah darlin’ all babies look like that when they’re born.” Lou said smiling.
“So, am I right to believe that this little one is a girl?” Kid asked Louise.
“You mean no one told you?” Lou said trying to hold back her laughter.
“She’s beautiful Lou. She sure did give us a scare” Beth said with a tear in her eye. She knew now she would never have children with Buck after agreeing to marry Ethan.
“What’s her name Lou?” Buck asked quietly. “Her name is Moira Louise McCloud. She’s named after my grandmother on my mother’s side. She was a very special woman who was only in my life a short time but that time was very special.”
Little Moira Louise had Lou’s color hair with a curl to it and Kid’s blue eyes. She was a good weight and let everyone know when she was hungry, which was right then.
“Now everyone scoot Louise has a baby to feed.” Rachel said with authority.
Downstairs Teaspoon arrived and was told the wonderful news. Buck and Teaspoon congratulated Kid. Kid looked at Buck with tears in his eyes and said “If you weren’t here, Buck I could have lost both of them. Thank you so much. I can never thank you enough.”
“That’s what family is for. Buck said and went to leave Kid and Lou’s house. It had been a very trying evening for all of them.
"Buck...wait." Beth came down the stairs and walked toward the foyer of the house. She had to talk to Buck before tomorrow.
Just then, the front door opened, and Anna Sturgis stood with her overnight bag in hand. She was as surprised to see Buck as everyone else had been. Taking in his appearance, she wondered what had gone on at the McCloud house one the eve of her daughter's wedding.
"Mama...what are you doing here?" Beth asked.
"Well that's a fine question to ask Elizabeth. You're getting married tomorrow. Where else should I be?"
"Come in Mrs. Sturgis..." Kid took her bag, trying to remember his manners.
"Mr. Cross, you look a little worse for wear since the last time I saw you."
Buck looked down at his shirt, soiled from the task he'd just performed and felt embarrassed. He wasn't sure how to answer her.
"Louise just had her baby Mama." Beth explained quietly. "Buck delivered her."
"You did?" Buck nodded to the older woman, still not speaking. "Oh, my goodness, what an evening all of you have had! Ethan brought me over, I told him to come in and say hello, but he said it was bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony."
Kid cleared his throat at the mention of Ethan, and exchanged a glance with Buck.
"Mama, so much has happened here tonight, maybe we should think about postponing..."
"Postponing what?" As Anna Sturgis looked hard at her daughter. Buck took that opportunity to slip out the front door.
"The wedding. I don't feel like I can leave Louise right now. She'll need me to take care of Noah..."
"Postpone the wedding? Elizabeth don't be ridiculous. I understand that you want to help your friends, but this is a time to think about what you want."
Beth shook her head, wondering how her mother could be so unaware of her own daughter's feelings. "What I want is to call off this wedding!" She screamed the words in her head.
“Mrs. Sturgis, I'm just going to set your bag in the parlor. I need to get back upstairs to Louise." Kid felt as though he was intruding on the two women.
"Go ahead Kid." Beth took the bag from him. "I'll be up in a bit to see about getting Noah to bed."
"Congratulations Kid." Anna called after him and then followed her daughter into the parlor.
As she sat her mother's baggage on the floor, Elizabeth let out a long sigh. Buck had left. It was obvious he didn't want to speak with her, and that idea hurt her more than anything. Maybe she'd been wrong about him all along. Maybe he didn't care for her after all.
"Elizabeth, sit down. I think we need to talk."
"Zander, is there something you want to tell me?"
Taking a deep breath, Zander tried to find the strength he needed to warn her about Ethan.
"Lizbeth," he began to feel more courageous as he suddenly knew for sure that it was his place to protect both his sister and his mother. After all, hadn't his father's death made him the man of the family now?
"It's about Ethan. You can't marry him, he's........"
"Elizabeth, you have to come quick. I think Louise has gone into labor." Kid didn't realize he had interrupted a very important conversation, but right now all he cared about was the safety of his wife and new child. Grabbing Elizabeth by her hand he started dragging her to the house.
Beth could see the tears threatening to fall from Kid's eyes, as she ran breathlessly beside him. Calling over her shoulder, she was going to holler to Zander to go fetch the doctor. When she saw that he had already gone and saddled his horse, the sense of pride she'd felt earlier resurfaced.
The next moment as she and Kid ascended the porch steps, a scream hit their ears, one of pain and fear, coming from Kid and Lou's bedroom.
Kid threw the door to the bedroom open to find Lou doubled over in pain. His next glance at the floor by the bed, and partially the bed itself, told him that her water had broken.
Noah had started crying after being awakened by his mother's screams, and Kid sent Elizabeth to take care of him.
"Lou, what can I do to help you?" Kid tearfully asked his wife. Pulling her into an embrace, he kissed her lightly on the top of her head. Just then another contraction hit her, and Lou pulled Kid closer, almost crushing him as she let out another scream.
Kid knew that this was the most pain she had endured, because Lou had a very high tolerance for pain, and when she had given birth to their son, it had been one of the most beautiful times of their lives. She had a typical pregnancy with Noah, and when it was time for him to be born, Kid's fears had been for nothing, as his wife showed him their son only a few hours after her contractions had started.
"Where's the doctor?" Lou asked in between breaths. The tears on her face were very real.
"Zander went to get him, he should..........."
"He's not going to make it Kid, there's something terribly wrong." The fear that shown in his wife's eyes made Kid want to burst with anger. This was not the way this was supposed to happen. Even though she had been having problems all through the pregnancy, they had both hoped and dreamed of an uneventfully safe birth.
Kid felt Lou's arms slip from around his neck, as she passed out from the pain.
"Louise, nooooooooo" Kid tried to revive her. He couldn't bear the idea that she may be taken from him.
Feeling a strong hand grip his shoulder, Kid turned to see his best friend standing there.
"Go heat up some water Kid, I'll stay with her." Buck ordered.
When Kid didn't move, Buck grabbed him by the shoulders, pulling him up off the bed. Taking a quick glance at Lou, Buck shook his friend hard.
"Listen to me Kid, we have to help Lou have this baby, and we have to help her now. So, go do what I told you to."
"Buck, the doctor is on his way, Zander went to get him. I should stay with Lou."
"There isn't time to wait for the doctor, Kid. This baby isn't going to wait for him. I need you to help me help Lou. Now, go do what I asked. Please." Buck pleaded with his best friend.
As Kid started to leave the room, Buck gave him one more instruction. "You need to hurry Kid."
"Buck, are you sure you can do this?" Lizbeth had gotten Noah back to sleep, and had listened to the conversation between Kid and Buck.
Though he was happy to see Beth, Buck's mind had to stay concentrated on the task at hand, helping his friends.
Beth moved further into the room, closer to the bed.
"I could use whatever help you can give me." Buck gave Beth a hopeful look." Do you, have you, ever helped a woman give birth before?" He asked.
"No," Beth answered honestly. She had helped a horse give birth, but this was something new.
"Well, I have, but like I said I could use some help." Buck couldn't miss the surprised look on her face as Beth took in this information.
She started to ask him when.
"I'll tell you about it later, let's take care of Lou and my new niece or nephew first." Buck started a little, as Lou began coming to.
Buck saw that Lou was coming to and went into action. “Beth prop those pillows up behind Lou and help her sit up a bit.” Buck told a nervous Beth. Beth did as she was told. Lou was fully awake now and was shocked to see Buck at the end of the bed with his head under the blanket.
“BUCK! What in the heeeeeelllllllllll aaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!” Lou screamed as she went into another contraction.
“Lou, I need you to concentrate. You’ll have time to yell at me for being at this end later. I can see the head. I need you to push Lou! Now PUSH!
Lou took a hold of Beth’s hand like a vice grip and started to push. Buck saw what Lou felt was wrong with the baby. The cord was wrapped around its neck. “Lou, I need you to stop pushing!” Buck said to Lou.
"BUCK! I NEED TO PUSH!" Lou screamed.
“Lou the cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck I need to unravel it. You have to stop pushing!” Buck said forcefully.
Lou saw the worry in Buck’s face and instantly stopped pushing. Buck held the baby’s head and unraveled the cord and the color came back into the baby’s face.
“Now Lou push just a little bit. I have the cord off your baby’s neck and the color is back to normal. I just need you to push one more time.” Buck said as Lou pushed one last time. Lou screamed “KID YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO TOUCH ME AGAIN!!!!
As Lou pushed Buck guided the baby’s shoulders and body out into the world. There was silence and then a shrill cry from the baby.
“It’s a girl.” Buck said happily as he handed the baby to Beth so she could clean her off. Just as Buck handed the baby to Beth the doctor came rushing through the door along with Rachel who Zander had gotten after he went for the doctor.
“I guess I’m too late.” Said the doctor. “Now I need to check mother and child. You did a great job Buck. I’ll take it from here. Rachel would you mind tending to the baby.”
“It would be my pleasure, Doctor.” Rachel said as she took the baby from Beth. “You did a good job too Lizbeth.” Rachel said smiling at the girl.
Buck and Beth went downstairs to a waiting Kid and Noah who was wide awake. “Is Mama okay, Papa?” Noah asked with a sniffle and the look that he was about to burst into tears.
Kid was too preoccupied to answer his eldest child at the moment. “Yes, little man your mama is doing great and you have a new baby….” Buck said to Noah and whispered the part about it being a girl. Kid didn’t know yet and he wanted Lou to tell him.
Noah got a big smile on his face and said “I’m a big brother.” He was so proud he could burst.
Rachel came downstairs with the soiled linens and said you can go on up she ready for all of you. At those words Kid bounded up the stairs followed quickly by Buck carrying Noah with Beth bringing up the rear.
Kid knocked on the door and Louise said “Come on in Kid and the rest of you too.” Kid opened the door and saw his beautiful wife sitting up in bed with a little bundle in her arms. Noah climbed up on the bed carefully so he could get a look at this new little person in their life.
“Why’s she all squished up, Mama?” Noah asked innocently. They all laughed at his curiosity.
“Noah darlin’ all babies look like that when they’re born.” Lou said smiling.
“So, am I right to believe that this little one is a girl?” Kid asked Louise.
“You mean no one told you?” Lou said trying to hold back her laughter.
“She’s beautiful Lou. She sure did give us a scare” Beth said with a tear in her eye. She knew now she would never have children with Buck after agreeing to marry Ethan.
“What’s her name Lou?” Buck asked quietly. “Her name is Moira Louise McCloud. She’s named after my grandmother on my mother’s side. She was a very special woman who was only in my life a short time but that time was very special.”
Little Moira Louise had Lou’s color hair with a curl to it and Kid’s blue eyes. She was a good weight and let everyone know when she was hungry, which was right then.
“Now everyone scoot Louise has a baby to feed.” Rachel said with authority.
Downstairs Teaspoon arrived and was told the wonderful news. Buck and Teaspoon congratulated Kid. Kid looked at Buck with tears in his eyes and said “If you weren’t here, Buck I could have lost both of them. Thank you so much. I can never thank you enough.”
“That’s what family is for. Buck said and went to leave Kid and Lou’s house. It had been a very trying evening for all of them.
"Buck...wait." Beth came down the stairs and walked toward the foyer of the house. She had to talk to Buck before tomorrow.
Just then, the front door opened, and Anna Sturgis stood with her overnight bag in hand. She was as surprised to see Buck as everyone else had been. Taking in his appearance, she wondered what had gone on at the McCloud house one the eve of her daughter's wedding.
"Mama...what are you doing here?" Beth asked.
"Well that's a fine question to ask Elizabeth. You're getting married tomorrow. Where else should I be?"
"Come in Mrs. Sturgis..." Kid took her bag, trying to remember his manners.
"Mr. Cross, you look a little worse for wear since the last time I saw you."
Buck looked down at his shirt, soiled from the task he'd just performed and felt embarrassed. He wasn't sure how to answer her.
"Louise just had her baby Mama." Beth explained quietly. "Buck delivered her."
"You did?" Buck nodded to the older woman, still not speaking. "Oh, my goodness, what an evening all of you have had! Ethan brought me over, I told him to come in and say hello, but he said it was bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony."
Kid cleared his throat at the mention of Ethan, and exchanged a glance with Buck.
"Mama, so much has happened here tonight, maybe we should think about postponing..."
"Postponing what?" As Anna Sturgis looked hard at her daughter. Buck took that opportunity to slip out the front door.
"The wedding. I don't feel like I can leave Louise right now. She'll need me to take care of Noah..."
"Postpone the wedding? Elizabeth don't be ridiculous. I understand that you want to help your friends, but this is a time to think about what you want."
Beth shook her head, wondering how her mother could be so unaware of her own daughter's feelings. "What I want is to call off this wedding!" She screamed the words in her head.
“Mrs. Sturgis, I'm just going to set your bag in the parlor. I need to get back upstairs to Louise." Kid felt as though he was intruding on the two women.
"Go ahead Kid." Beth took the bag from him. "I'll be up in a bit to see about getting Noah to bed."
"Congratulations Kid." Anna called after him and then followed her daughter into the parlor.
As she sat her mother's baggage on the floor, Elizabeth let out a long sigh. Buck had left. It was obvious he didn't want to speak with her, and that idea hurt her more than anything. Maybe she'd been wrong about him all along. Maybe he didn't care for her after all.
"Elizabeth, sit down. I think we need to talk."
Forty One
With her daughter beside her on the settee, Anna let out a sigh. She felt for Elizabeth, but she was soon going to be a married woman. It was time for her to grow up.
"I know you think I have no idea how you're feeling right now."
Beth looked at her mother, waiting to see what she had to say.
"I realize that your feeling for Ethan don't go beyond friendship.."
When she started to speak up, her mother put up a hand to stop her.
"...but as strange as it sounds, it takes a lot more than love to make a marriage work. In some ways, starting out as friends might serve you better."
Elizabeth listened as her mother tried to explain. "You have to be comfortable with that person, be able to talk to them. Marriage isn't just about passion. It's hard work."
"You mean like it was for you and Papa?"
Anna gave a sad smile. "Not exactly. Your father was very different when we were first married."
"Were you in love?" Elizabeth felt strange asking these questions, but she figured it would be her only chance to take peak inside her parent's early life.
"Yes, very much."
"I want to feel that way too." Beth told her.
"Ethan cares very deeply for you Elizabeth. If he didn't, he never would have proposed."
"It wasn't a proposal, it was a business proposition."
"That's not true. I know Ethan's hoping that in time, your feelings for him will change. I think they will. This is a chance for you to have security Elizabeth, with a good man who will take care of you. I don't want you to have to work like I have." The girl's mother gripped her hand tightly, hoping to make her point.
For her part, Beth kept hearing Buck's voice in her head. "He's not a good man Beth. He can't be trusted..."
"Mama, I know you believe that Ethan only wants to help us, but what if that's not true?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Buck said..."
Anna Sturgis cut her daughter off immediately. "Is that what all of this is about? Buck Cross?"
Beth blushed at the mention of his name.
"I know you had something of a flirtation with him, but for heaven's sake Elizabeth, this is the rest of your life we're talking about."
I know that Mama, that's why..."
"If Buck Cross was at all interested in you, then where is he? Zander told me just yesterday that no one had seen him for days, and tonight, I didn't hear him say one word to you."
Beth blushed again, this time feeling foolish.
"I'm not trying to be cruel Elizabeth, but if he feels anything for you, he certainly has a strange way of showing it."
Elizabeth sighed, knowing that her mother was right. If Buck loved her, then he would have done something to stop this wedding. Maybe she was meant to be Mrs. Ethan Jefferson. Ethan did care for her, and marrying him was certainly a better prospect than ending up alone, wasn't it?
"I know you think I have no idea how you're feeling right now."
Beth looked at her mother, waiting to see what she had to say.
"I realize that your feeling for Ethan don't go beyond friendship.."
When she started to speak up, her mother put up a hand to stop her.
"...but as strange as it sounds, it takes a lot more than love to make a marriage work. In some ways, starting out as friends might serve you better."
Elizabeth listened as her mother tried to explain. "You have to be comfortable with that person, be able to talk to them. Marriage isn't just about passion. It's hard work."
"You mean like it was for you and Papa?"
Anna gave a sad smile. "Not exactly. Your father was very different when we were first married."
"Were you in love?" Elizabeth felt strange asking these questions, but she figured it would be her only chance to take peak inside her parent's early life.
"Yes, very much."
"I want to feel that way too." Beth told her.
"Ethan cares very deeply for you Elizabeth. If he didn't, he never would have proposed."
"It wasn't a proposal, it was a business proposition."
"That's not true. I know Ethan's hoping that in time, your feelings for him will change. I think they will. This is a chance for you to have security Elizabeth, with a good man who will take care of you. I don't want you to have to work like I have." The girl's mother gripped her hand tightly, hoping to make her point.
For her part, Beth kept hearing Buck's voice in her head. "He's not a good man Beth. He can't be trusted..."
"Mama, I know you believe that Ethan only wants to help us, but what if that's not true?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Buck said..."
Anna Sturgis cut her daughter off immediately. "Is that what all of this is about? Buck Cross?"
Beth blushed at the mention of his name.
"I know you had something of a flirtation with him, but for heaven's sake Elizabeth, this is the rest of your life we're talking about."
I know that Mama, that's why..."
"If Buck Cross was at all interested in you, then where is he? Zander told me just yesterday that no one had seen him for days, and tonight, I didn't hear him say one word to you."
Beth blushed again, this time feeling foolish.
"I'm not trying to be cruel Elizabeth, but if he feels anything for you, he certainly has a strange way of showing it."
Elizabeth sighed, knowing that her mother was right. If Buck loved her, then he would have done something to stop this wedding. Maybe she was meant to be Mrs. Ethan Jefferson. Ethan did care for her, and marrying him was certainly a better prospect than ending up alone, wasn't it?
Forty Two
After saying good night to her mother, Elizabeth walked slowly to her room. She peaked into Noah's room and found it empty, realizing that the toddler must be sleeping with his parents and new baby sister.
Just as she shut the door to her room, she heard the faint cries of the newborn and smiled, her heart, warming with happiness for the little family that had become so important to her.
Now she was about to leave them behind to start another life. She shook her head, still not wanting to believe that after tomorrow, she would no longer live here. After tomorrow she would never see Buck again.
She turned down the wick on the lantern and quickly changed into her night clothes, choosing a thin, sleeveless gown to sleep in. It was a hot humid night, and Elizabeth sighed heavily as she stared out the window. She'd be surprised if she got any sleep tonight.
Turning back toward the bed, the bride-to-be decided to give in and try to get some rest. She had just extinguished the lantern when she heard a sound at her door. Thinking that her mother must need something, Beth strode across the room and had her door on the doorknob, when the door was pushed open, and in the darkness, she felt a man's arm go around her waist and a hand cover her mouth.
"Don't scream..."
She felt her mouth go dry and her body go rigid with fear as the intruder pushed the door closed with his foot, pulling her back tighter against his body. Elizabeth was a tall, strong girl, but her arms were pinned too her sides and she couldn't make a sound. At that moment, she was terrified.
A low moan escaped her lips as she tried to struggle against her attacker. He loosened his hold just slightly, and whispered to her again.
"Please Beth, don't be afraid...there was no other way I could talk to you."
Now he moved his hand from her mouth and she was able to turn and face him.
"Buck?"
Her voice belied how shocked she was. Before tonight, she had not seen him for nearly 3 days, and now, here he was, sneaking into her bedroom in the middle of the night.
"What...what are you doing?" she demanded in a loud whisper, backing away from him. "You scared the hell out of me!"
"I'm sorry..." he began.
Elizabeth backed up, and accidentally hit a small bedside table. The large water pitcher that sat on it fell to the floor with a loud crash. Elizabeth gasped, and Buck cursed.
"Elizabeth!" The sound of her mother's voice was Buck's worst nightmare. His eyes locked with Beth's in the darkness. She could easily give him away now.
"Elizabeth... are you alright?" her mother's frantic knock on the door demanded to be answered. Stepping in front of Buck, Beth opened the door just slightly.
"I'm fine mother...I just broke a pitcher."
"My goodness girl, you've got to be more careful. Especially now that you'll have your own house to run."
"Yes ma'am." Beth looked away, praying that her mother would except her explanation and go back to bed, but still she stood in the hallway.
"Are you sure you're alright? You looked flushed." Anna Sturgis eyed her daughter suspiciously.
"It's a warm night mama. I'm fine."
"Alright, try to get some rest." Elizabeth nodded and shut the door, locking it.
Just as she shut the door to her room, she heard the faint cries of the newborn and smiled, her heart, warming with happiness for the little family that had become so important to her.
Now she was about to leave them behind to start another life. She shook her head, still not wanting to believe that after tomorrow, she would no longer live here. After tomorrow she would never see Buck again.
She turned down the wick on the lantern and quickly changed into her night clothes, choosing a thin, sleeveless gown to sleep in. It was a hot humid night, and Elizabeth sighed heavily as she stared out the window. She'd be surprised if she got any sleep tonight.
Turning back toward the bed, the bride-to-be decided to give in and try to get some rest. She had just extinguished the lantern when she heard a sound at her door. Thinking that her mother must need something, Beth strode across the room and had her door on the doorknob, when the door was pushed open, and in the darkness, she felt a man's arm go around her waist and a hand cover her mouth.
"Don't scream..."
She felt her mouth go dry and her body go rigid with fear as the intruder pushed the door closed with his foot, pulling her back tighter against his body. Elizabeth was a tall, strong girl, but her arms were pinned too her sides and she couldn't make a sound. At that moment, she was terrified.
A low moan escaped her lips as she tried to struggle against her attacker. He loosened his hold just slightly, and whispered to her again.
"Please Beth, don't be afraid...there was no other way I could talk to you."
Now he moved his hand from her mouth and she was able to turn and face him.
"Buck?"
Her voice belied how shocked she was. Before tonight, she had not seen him for nearly 3 days, and now, here he was, sneaking into her bedroom in the middle of the night.
"What...what are you doing?" she demanded in a loud whisper, backing away from him. "You scared the hell out of me!"
"I'm sorry..." he began.
Elizabeth backed up, and accidentally hit a small bedside table. The large water pitcher that sat on it fell to the floor with a loud crash. Elizabeth gasped, and Buck cursed.
"Elizabeth!" The sound of her mother's voice was Buck's worst nightmare. His eyes locked with Beth's in the darkness. She could easily give him away now.
"Elizabeth... are you alright?" her mother's frantic knock on the door demanded to be answered. Stepping in front of Buck, Beth opened the door just slightly.
"I'm fine mother...I just broke a pitcher."
"My goodness girl, you've got to be more careful. Especially now that you'll have your own house to run."
"Yes ma'am." Beth looked away, praying that her mother would except her explanation and go back to bed, but still she stood in the hallway.
"Are you sure you're alright? You looked flushed." Anna Sturgis eyed her daughter suspiciously.
"It's a warm night mama. I'm fine."
"Alright, try to get some rest." Elizabeth nodded and shut the door, locking it.
Forty Three
She turned to face Buck, who looked very different than he had earlier in the evening. He had replaced his soiled shirt with an old black vest that she had never seen before. He wore nothing under it, and Beth thought to herself that this was the first time she had ever seen his bare chest. In different circumstances, she might have given it more thought, but right now, her mind raced in too many different directions.
"Thank you." Buck said quietly.
"For what?" Elizabeth put a hand to her chest. Her heart was going a mile a minute.
"For not giving me away." Buck took a step closer to her, and both of them looked down at the pieces of shattered porcelain that covered the floor. One of them was very close to Beth's bare feet.
Without a word Buck took another step and picked Beth up in his arms, carrying her across the room and putting her gently down on the bed. She simply stared at him, her blue eyes wide with shock. She felt that she must be dreaming.
"How did you get in the house without..." even as she asked the question, Beth knew it must sound stupid. If anyone could sneak in without being heard or seen, it would be Buck.
"I had to talk to you." he explained matter-of-factly.
Suddenly, Beth felt tears in her eyes. Between the stress of her impending wedding, and seeing Buck, when she thought he was lost to her forever, she was overwhelmed.
"Do you know how worried I've been about you? I thought you hated me...and tonight you hardly even spoke to me..." she put a hand over her mouth the stifle a sob.
Buck knelt in front of her and took her hand in his, hoping to calm her down.
"I'm sorry, I wanted to talk to you, but if anyone had any idea that I was going to do this..."
"Do what? I don't understand any of this Buck! You disappeared, and now you sneak in here in the middle of the night...I'm supposed to get married tomorrow morning..."
"No. You can't." He spoke the words sharply, cutting her off.
"I..."
"Listen to me Beth..." Now he took hold of both her arms, making sure that she was looking right at him, but Elizabeth wasn't going to be easily persuaded.
"No Buck, I want you to tell me why..."
"Stop talking and listen!" He shook her gently, his uncharacteristic forcefulness making her apprehensive.
"When you were living back East, do you remember someone named Molly? A girl that worked as a servant at a neighbor's place?
Beth was more confused now than ever, but Buck's demeanor kept her from asking questions.
"Yes...Molly Hennessey. She worked for the Henderson's next door."
"Did something happen to her?"
Beth nodded, thinking back to that time. "She was just gone one day. She left all of her things and ran away. There was this boy that she'd been involved with and everyone thought...."
"It was Ethan, Beth. He killed her." Buck held on to her arms tightly, waiting for her reaction.
"What?" she asked the question more loudly than she'd intended, and at the look on Buck's face, tried to keep her voice down as she continued.
"That's ridiculous! Ethan barely knew her! Besides he...."
"Zander saw it. Ethan attacked her, and it went too far."
Beth covered her mouth again, in shock. She recalled how her younger brother had behaved right after Molly left. She had been especially sweet to Zander, and his parents had attributed his sullen, withdrawn behavior to him missing her. It was also true that he had never been comfortable around Ethan. Now, looking into Buck's eyes, Beth knew he was telling her the truth.
"Oh my God..." suddenly, despite the hot humid night, Beth felt cold, and began to shiver slightly.
Buck pulled her close and she ended up sitting on the floor with him, his arms wrapped tightly around her.
"How did you find this out?" Beth finally asked, pulling back slightly so she could look at him again.
"That doesn't matter right now. What matters is getting you away from here."
Beth stared at him, his closeness making it hard for her to think clearly. So many times, lately she had wished with all her heart to feel Buck's strong arms around her. It was still hard to believe that he was actually here.
"What do you mean?"
"Did you want to marry him Beth? Before you saw me tonight, is this what you wanted?" He asked the question almost bitterly, and Beth could tell that he was battling his own set of emotions.
"No..." she reached up, and put her hand on his chest. His skin was warm to the touch.
"Did you ever love him?" Buck demanded.
Beth shook her head, staring into his piercing dark eyes.
"I need to hear you say it." Buck's hands moved up to touch her face, pulling her close.
Beth felt weak. She felt as though she could barely breath, let alone speak.
"Say it..." his fingers tangled in her long hair, Buck's own voice was little more than a whisper.
"I never loved him Buck. I love you...only you."
In the next second Buck's lips claimed hers in an almost crushing kiss. Beth gripped the front of his vest and as his mouth moved over hers, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. The last time he'd kissed her, she had pulled back, afraid to go too far. Now, she kissed him passionately, letting out a sigh as she felt his tongue move against hers.
Buck's mind was a jumble of emotions. She loved him. The words rang in his ears as he let his emotions swell and finally erupt in the passion of their kiss. He could feel her body move in his arms, the thin nightgown she wore did little to hide her beauty, or her reaction to his touch. His body screamed with wanting her, but he knew they had to get away now, otherwise, he might lose her forever.
"Thank you." Buck said quietly.
"For what?" Elizabeth put a hand to her chest. Her heart was going a mile a minute.
"For not giving me away." Buck took a step closer to her, and both of them looked down at the pieces of shattered porcelain that covered the floor. One of them was very close to Beth's bare feet.
Without a word Buck took another step and picked Beth up in his arms, carrying her across the room and putting her gently down on the bed. She simply stared at him, her blue eyes wide with shock. She felt that she must be dreaming.
"How did you get in the house without..." even as she asked the question, Beth knew it must sound stupid. If anyone could sneak in without being heard or seen, it would be Buck.
"I had to talk to you." he explained matter-of-factly.
Suddenly, Beth felt tears in her eyes. Between the stress of her impending wedding, and seeing Buck, when she thought he was lost to her forever, she was overwhelmed.
"Do you know how worried I've been about you? I thought you hated me...and tonight you hardly even spoke to me..." she put a hand over her mouth the stifle a sob.
Buck knelt in front of her and took her hand in his, hoping to calm her down.
"I'm sorry, I wanted to talk to you, but if anyone had any idea that I was going to do this..."
"Do what? I don't understand any of this Buck! You disappeared, and now you sneak in here in the middle of the night...I'm supposed to get married tomorrow morning..."
"No. You can't." He spoke the words sharply, cutting her off.
"I..."
"Listen to me Beth..." Now he took hold of both her arms, making sure that she was looking right at him, but Elizabeth wasn't going to be easily persuaded.
"No Buck, I want you to tell me why..."
"Stop talking and listen!" He shook her gently, his uncharacteristic forcefulness making her apprehensive.
"When you were living back East, do you remember someone named Molly? A girl that worked as a servant at a neighbor's place?
Beth was more confused now than ever, but Buck's demeanor kept her from asking questions.
"Yes...Molly Hennessey. She worked for the Henderson's next door."
"Did something happen to her?"
Beth nodded, thinking back to that time. "She was just gone one day. She left all of her things and ran away. There was this boy that she'd been involved with and everyone thought...."
"It was Ethan, Beth. He killed her." Buck held on to her arms tightly, waiting for her reaction.
"What?" she asked the question more loudly than she'd intended, and at the look on Buck's face, tried to keep her voice down as she continued.
"That's ridiculous! Ethan barely knew her! Besides he...."
"Zander saw it. Ethan attacked her, and it went too far."
Beth covered her mouth again, in shock. She recalled how her younger brother had behaved right after Molly left. She had been especially sweet to Zander, and his parents had attributed his sullen, withdrawn behavior to him missing her. It was also true that he had never been comfortable around Ethan. Now, looking into Buck's eyes, Beth knew he was telling her the truth.
"Oh my God..." suddenly, despite the hot humid night, Beth felt cold, and began to shiver slightly.
Buck pulled her close and she ended up sitting on the floor with him, his arms wrapped tightly around her.
"How did you find this out?" Beth finally asked, pulling back slightly so she could look at him again.
"That doesn't matter right now. What matters is getting you away from here."
Beth stared at him, his closeness making it hard for her to think clearly. So many times, lately she had wished with all her heart to feel Buck's strong arms around her. It was still hard to believe that he was actually here.
"What do you mean?"
"Did you want to marry him Beth? Before you saw me tonight, is this what you wanted?" He asked the question almost bitterly, and Beth could tell that he was battling his own set of emotions.
"No..." she reached up, and put her hand on his chest. His skin was warm to the touch.
"Did you ever love him?" Buck demanded.
Beth shook her head, staring into his piercing dark eyes.
"I need to hear you say it." Buck's hands moved up to touch her face, pulling her close.
Beth felt weak. She felt as though she could barely breath, let alone speak.
"Say it..." his fingers tangled in her long hair, Buck's own voice was little more than a whisper.
"I never loved him Buck. I love you...only you."
In the next second Buck's lips claimed hers in an almost crushing kiss. Beth gripped the front of his vest and as his mouth moved over hers, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. The last time he'd kissed her, she had pulled back, afraid to go too far. Now, she kissed him passionately, letting out a sigh as she felt his tongue move against hers.
Buck's mind was a jumble of emotions. She loved him. The words rang in his ears as he let his emotions swell and finally erupt in the passion of their kiss. He could feel her body move in his arms, the thin nightgown she wore did little to hide her beauty, or her reaction to his touch. His body screamed with wanting her, but he knew they had to get away now, otherwise, he might lose her forever.
Forty Four
Beth held on to him as she felt his lips move over her jaw and down the column of her neck to her shoulder. She could feel the heat of his touch on her back. She had never felt like this...hot and cold all at the same time. She couldn't get enough of the feeling of his lips on hers. Finally, Buck pushed her away slightly, trying to catch his breath. He closed his eyes, feeling her breasts against his bare chest. He hadn't intended to take any of her clothes with them, but clearly, she couldn't leave in that nightgown.
"Stop..." he whispered the word breathlessly, even as he moved to kiss her again, as her hands touched his torso and went around his waist.
Beth whimpered slightly, not wanting this to end.
"We have to go..." he told her, brushing the hair out of her flushed face.
"Where?" she asked, smiling as he pulled her close again.
"We have to leave tonight...I don't want you here tomorrow. That way he won't be able to get the farm, and he won't have you."
Beth looked at him, trying to understand his meaning. "Leave? But I have to tell my mother...I can explain..."
"Beth, please...don't you understand? If Jefferson finds out what Zander has told us, he could be in danger, you could be in danger. I won't let that happen." Buck took her hands from around his neck and held them against his chest.
"I have to make it seem like...like I took you."
"Like you kidnapped me?" Beth was beginning to understand his meaning. When he nodded, she was silent, letting this all digest.
"But if I don't marry Ethan, he'll take the farm...if we just..."
"No he won't. You have to marry him, isn't that the agreement? If you're taken against your will, then it's not as though you backed out on the marriage."
"What about you? If they catch you it could mean..."
"They won't. Not if we leave now."
"So what do we do? I can't stay gone forever...can I?" Part of her wanted nothing more than to disappear with Buck Cross forever, but she knew she couldn't leave her family. Not permanently.
"No, you can't...I have an idea, but I'd rather explain it to you away from here. If your mother or someone hears us, this could be very difficult to explain."
Beth smiled at him now, an almost mischievous smile as she pictured her mother walking in the room and seeing her sprawled on the floor, in the arms of a man, wearing nothing but this gown.
"You're so beautiful." Buck smiled at her, the heat of his stare making her heart beat faster again. "I love you Beth..." He moved to kiss her again, but she stopped him.
"Say it again..." she said seriously, mimicking Buck's earlier demand of her.
"I love you." Now he did kiss her, deeply, pulling her body to him in a tight embrace.
A noise in the hallway made them both, jump. After a moment, Buck relaxed a bit.
"It's alright, it's just Kid. He must need something downstairs."
"How can you tell who it is?"
Buck simply raised an eyebrow at her, as if that was explanation enough. Then he stood up and pulled Elizabeth up as well. "You'll need some clothes."
"Stop..." he whispered the word breathlessly, even as he moved to kiss her again, as her hands touched his torso and went around his waist.
Beth whimpered slightly, not wanting this to end.
"We have to go..." he told her, brushing the hair out of her flushed face.
"Where?" she asked, smiling as he pulled her close again.
"We have to leave tonight...I don't want you here tomorrow. That way he won't be able to get the farm, and he won't have you."
Beth looked at him, trying to understand his meaning. "Leave? But I have to tell my mother...I can explain..."
"Beth, please...don't you understand? If Jefferson finds out what Zander has told us, he could be in danger, you could be in danger. I won't let that happen." Buck took her hands from around his neck and held them against his chest.
"I have to make it seem like...like I took you."
"Like you kidnapped me?" Beth was beginning to understand his meaning. When he nodded, she was silent, letting this all digest.
"But if I don't marry Ethan, he'll take the farm...if we just..."
"No he won't. You have to marry him, isn't that the agreement? If you're taken against your will, then it's not as though you backed out on the marriage."
"What about you? If they catch you it could mean..."
"They won't. Not if we leave now."
"So what do we do? I can't stay gone forever...can I?" Part of her wanted nothing more than to disappear with Buck Cross forever, but she knew she couldn't leave her family. Not permanently.
"No, you can't...I have an idea, but I'd rather explain it to you away from here. If your mother or someone hears us, this could be very difficult to explain."
Beth smiled at him now, an almost mischievous smile as she pictured her mother walking in the room and seeing her sprawled on the floor, in the arms of a man, wearing nothing but this gown.
"You're so beautiful." Buck smiled at her, the heat of his stare making her heart beat faster again. "I love you Beth..." He moved to kiss her again, but she stopped him.
"Say it again..." she said seriously, mimicking Buck's earlier demand of her.
"I love you." Now he did kiss her, deeply, pulling her body to him in a tight embrace.
A noise in the hallway made them both, jump. After a moment, Buck relaxed a bit.
"It's alright, it's just Kid. He must need something downstairs."
"How can you tell who it is?"
Buck simply raised an eyebrow at her, as if that was explanation enough. Then he stood up and pulled Elizabeth up as well. "You'll need some clothes."
Forty Five
He moved to open the wardrobe next to her bed and Elizabeth looked down at her gown. The way the moon was shining tonight, you could practically see right through...she blushed, and crossed her arms in front of her, as Buck smiled to himself. The image of her in that gown was one he would not soon forget. Her legs were just as beautiful as he'd imagined them to be.
"I can get my own clothes Buck..." Beth took a step toward him and a floorboard creaked noisily.
"I'd like for us to make it out of here in one piece." Buck told her, only half, jokingly.
Beth let out a sigh and sat heavily on the bed, which also creaked. She didn't understand how this man could be so silent, while everything she touched seemed to make noise.
"Are you sure about this Buck?" She asked the question, and immediately regretted it, seeing the look in his eyes.
"Are you?" He put down the dress he was holding and moved to stand in front of her. "I won't let him hurt you Beth...but if you don't want me..."
"That's not what I meant," she spoke quickly, before he could interrupt her. "I'm just afraid this is too risky. If someone catches up with us..." she looked away, not sure how to explain what she was thinking diplomatically.
"What?" Buck pulled her to her feet, his tone demanding an explanation.
"They might not believe that I went with you willingly."
"You mean because I'm a half-breed."
"I couldn't bear it if something happened to you Buck..." She placed her hands on his chest again, and he covered them with his own.
"I feel the same way. That's why I had to come for you. We won't be found Beth, not until we're ready to be. I promise."
Giving Elizabeth one more quick kiss, Buck picked up the dress he'd set down and handed it to her. "Put this on," he said, "and then we need to be going."
Beth took the dress. She simply slipped it on over her gown. "I'm ready," she said.
Buck smiled at her. He picked her up and carried her across the room and quietly down the stairs. He set her down when he'd cleared the porch steps. "Don't move," he said, "I'll be right back."
Beth simply nodded.
Buck disappeared back into the house. He returned to Beth's room and quietly moved things to make it look like she had offered some sort of resistance to being taken. He then gathered a few more of her clothes and a pair of shoes. Buck once more quietly made his way back down the stairs. He kept an eye on the kitchen just in case Kid made his way back up to where Lou and the children lay sleeping.
Once outside, Buck handed Beth her clothes. "Hold on," he said as he picked her up and carried her to the wagon he'd hidden behind the barn.
Before putting her in the wagon, Buck set her on the ground. "Fight with me," he said. "If anyone tries to track us, it needs to look like you resisted."
"But you said no one could find us," Beth reminded him.
Buck nodded. "They won't, but they'll try. It needs to look like you resisted so Ethan can't blame your mother."
Elizabeth nodded. She tossed her clothes in the back of the wagon and did her best to pretend she was trying to keep Buck from carrying her away.
Suddenly, Buck scooped her up and gently dropped her in the back of the wagon with her clothes. He quickly climbed into the seat and drove off. When they were almost out of sight of the house, he turned to her, "Scream."
Beth nodded and hollered as loudly as she could. Buck pulled the wagon into an area of hard dry dirt and studied the house behind them. He smiled when he saw a light come on in one of the rooms. He then urged the horses into some trees. After a few minutes, they came to a small clearing where two more horses were tied.
Without speaking, Buck helped Elizabeth onto the back of one of the animals. He took most of her clothing and tied them behind her and then started the wagon forward before mounting his own horse. He took the reins of Elizabeth's animal and slowly lead it away in the completely opposite direction of the wagon.
Elizabeth waited until Buck turned to hand her the reins to her horse before asking, "Where are we going?"
"Somewhere safe," Buck said. "I'm going to need some help, and I know just the person to give it to us." He rode into a shallow stream and began to ride against the current.
Beth followed him a while before asking again, "Where is that?"
"Omaha," Buck said. "I have some friends there who can help keep you safe while I take care of Ethan."
"I can get my own clothes Buck..." Beth took a step toward him and a floorboard creaked noisily.
"I'd like for us to make it out of here in one piece." Buck told her, only half, jokingly.
Beth let out a sigh and sat heavily on the bed, which also creaked. She didn't understand how this man could be so silent, while everything she touched seemed to make noise.
"Are you sure about this Buck?" She asked the question, and immediately regretted it, seeing the look in his eyes.
"Are you?" He put down the dress he was holding and moved to stand in front of her. "I won't let him hurt you Beth...but if you don't want me..."
"That's not what I meant," she spoke quickly, before he could interrupt her. "I'm just afraid this is too risky. If someone catches up with us..." she looked away, not sure how to explain what she was thinking diplomatically.
"What?" Buck pulled her to her feet, his tone demanding an explanation.
"They might not believe that I went with you willingly."
"You mean because I'm a half-breed."
"I couldn't bear it if something happened to you Buck..." She placed her hands on his chest again, and he covered them with his own.
"I feel the same way. That's why I had to come for you. We won't be found Beth, not until we're ready to be. I promise."
Giving Elizabeth one more quick kiss, Buck picked up the dress he'd set down and handed it to her. "Put this on," he said, "and then we need to be going."
Beth took the dress. She simply slipped it on over her gown. "I'm ready," she said.
Buck smiled at her. He picked her up and carried her across the room and quietly down the stairs. He set her down when he'd cleared the porch steps. "Don't move," he said, "I'll be right back."
Beth simply nodded.
Buck disappeared back into the house. He returned to Beth's room and quietly moved things to make it look like she had offered some sort of resistance to being taken. He then gathered a few more of her clothes and a pair of shoes. Buck once more quietly made his way back down the stairs. He kept an eye on the kitchen just in case Kid made his way back up to where Lou and the children lay sleeping.
Once outside, Buck handed Beth her clothes. "Hold on," he said as he picked her up and carried her to the wagon he'd hidden behind the barn.
Before putting her in the wagon, Buck set her on the ground. "Fight with me," he said. "If anyone tries to track us, it needs to look like you resisted."
"But you said no one could find us," Beth reminded him.
Buck nodded. "They won't, but they'll try. It needs to look like you resisted so Ethan can't blame your mother."
Elizabeth nodded. She tossed her clothes in the back of the wagon and did her best to pretend she was trying to keep Buck from carrying her away.
Suddenly, Buck scooped her up and gently dropped her in the back of the wagon with her clothes. He quickly climbed into the seat and drove off. When they were almost out of sight of the house, he turned to her, "Scream."
Beth nodded and hollered as loudly as she could. Buck pulled the wagon into an area of hard dry dirt and studied the house behind them. He smiled when he saw a light come on in one of the rooms. He then urged the horses into some trees. After a few minutes, they came to a small clearing where two more horses were tied.
Without speaking, Buck helped Elizabeth onto the back of one of the animals. He took most of her clothing and tied them behind her and then started the wagon forward before mounting his own horse. He took the reins of Elizabeth's animal and slowly lead it away in the completely opposite direction of the wagon.
Elizabeth waited until Buck turned to hand her the reins to her horse before asking, "Where are we going?"
"Somewhere safe," Buck said. "I'm going to need some help, and I know just the person to give it to us." He rode into a shallow stream and began to ride against the current.
Beth followed him a while before asking again, "Where is that?"
"Omaha," Buck said. "I have some friends there who can help keep you safe while I take care of Ethan."
Forty Six
Ethan and his men lost the trail about a half hour after they found it and could not locate Buck and Beth. Ethan was outraged and went to the McCloud Cross Ranch to yell at the lot of them for letting this happen. The minute Ethan raised his voice Kid and Teaspoon ordered him off the ranch or he would face jail time and a hefty fine. Kid smiled to himself knowing Beth had gone willingly with Buck and that Buck had some sort of plan in the works. He knew Beth loved Buck and would follow him anywhere. Where that was Kid didn’t know and he hoped they were safe.
Buck and Beth reached Omaha safely and without incident. Buck stopped at a livery to put the horses up for the time being. He had something to say to Beth and he had to do it now.
“Beth there is something I have to say to you. It’s very important. I love you so much Beth it makes me want to tell the whole world of my love for you. I need to ask you something and I need you to be honest with me. Will you do that?” Buck asked Beth nervously.
“I will be honest with you always, Buck my love. What is it you need to ask?” Beth answered.
“Beth do you love me? Truly love me and want to be with me forever?” Buck queried.
“Yes, Buck with all my heart. I want to be with you always.” Beth said with love in her voice.
“That’s what I was hoping to hear.” Buck stated. Buck got down on one knee and took Elizabeth’s hand in his. Elizabeth Ann Sturgis, will you marry me today? I promise when we get back to Rock Creek, we will have the wedding of your dreams but, now we have to do this before we go to my friend’s home and ask for help. We need to be married if Ethan should find us.” Buck said in a rush of words.
“Yes, Buck I will marry you. I love you so much. I will marry you today and any day after that as long as we’re together.” Elizabeth said with tears in her eyes.
Buck put his hand into the inside of his vest and produced a blue velvet bag. Opening it he held out his hand and a gold ring with a dark blue stone in it fell into his palm. Elizabeth gasped at seeing the ring; Buck took Beth’s left hand and placed the ring on her ring finger. Buck stood up and Beth flung herself into Buck’s arms and kissed him with the most passionate kiss she had ever given. Buck kissed her back with all the love and passion he had inside him. Beth pulled back and looked at the ring while he hugged her to his side.
“Buck it’s beautiful. How did you know blue is my favorite color?” Beth asked so happy she had to pinch herself to believe it was real.
“I didn’t know I got it because of the color of your eyes. They are so deep blue and they sparkle like stars. They are the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” Buck said with honesty. “Now we have to find a minister and get ourselves married. Buck said with a smile that made him look even more handsome at that moment.
Beth gave one more look to her ring, kissed Buck on the cheek, “Let’s go get married.” Beth said as she smiled brightly walking down the street.
For a brief moment, Buck felt like they were the only two people on the earth. It didn't take long however, for him to feel the eyes of the townsfolk on the boardwalks and street burning into his soul, and realize he and Beth were anything but alone. Without a thought he pulled Beth closer to his body as they walked down the middle of the street. 'Middle of the street?' Buck shook his head as he realized he wasn't particularly being as discreet as he should be. So, not to draw anymore, attention than they already had, he began to lead Beth more toward the walkway on his right.
"Is something wrong?" Beth asked, concern on her own face as she looked at the man she loved.
Buck looked into her big blue eyes as he led her onto the boarded walk, finally answering.
"I'm just a little uncomfortable with being the center of attention." He motioned with his head toward a group of people standing at the corner of the General Store. "I'm sure they are wondering what a beautiful, white woman is doing in the company of someone like me."
Placing her hand gently on the side of his face, Beth leaned in and gave him a light kiss on the lips. This was one advantage of being a tall girl. She loved the fact that she could just move in for the kiss without having to stand on her tiptoes. When she leaned in for another kiss, Buck turned his head slightly.
"No, not here." Buck placed his hand on hers, and removed it from his face a little more roughly than he had intended. "I'd rather not draw any more attention to us, than we already have, okay?" He whispered. When he looked into her eyes, Beth could almost see a sadness.
"I'm sorry." She apologized, hoping Buck would realize how sincere she truly was. "I didn't mean to be insensitive to your feelings. I guess it's just hard for me to believe that anyone would have a problem with us being together."
"You don't have to apologize, I should be the one saying I'm sorry." Buck forced a smile, but it only took one look into his Beth's eyes, and his eyes lit up as he realized how very, very lucky he really was; to have someone as wonderful as this woman in his life. He even remembered hearing Beth say how uncomfortable she was around people. She had always been told by her father that she would probably end up a spinster, because no man would want someone as tall and gangly, and plain looking as she was. But standing here looking at the beautiful woman with him, Buck only hoped she knew what she meant to him.
He took his hand and gently moved a strand of hair that had fallen out of its confinement, out of Beth's eyes. Placing his palm alongside her cheek, he lightly caressed her smooth skin with his fingers. He almost forgot the urgency of their mission here today. They had already taken up too much time loitering. Buck knew that although Ethan had most assuredly been thrown off of their track now; this man was too determined and vindictive to give up looking for the woman he assumed was going to be his wife.
Buck and Beth reached Omaha safely and without incident. Buck stopped at a livery to put the horses up for the time being. He had something to say to Beth and he had to do it now.
“Beth there is something I have to say to you. It’s very important. I love you so much Beth it makes me want to tell the whole world of my love for you. I need to ask you something and I need you to be honest with me. Will you do that?” Buck asked Beth nervously.
“I will be honest with you always, Buck my love. What is it you need to ask?” Beth answered.
“Beth do you love me? Truly love me and want to be with me forever?” Buck queried.
“Yes, Buck with all my heart. I want to be with you always.” Beth said with love in her voice.
“That’s what I was hoping to hear.” Buck stated. Buck got down on one knee and took Elizabeth’s hand in his. Elizabeth Ann Sturgis, will you marry me today? I promise when we get back to Rock Creek, we will have the wedding of your dreams but, now we have to do this before we go to my friend’s home and ask for help. We need to be married if Ethan should find us.” Buck said in a rush of words.
“Yes, Buck I will marry you. I love you so much. I will marry you today and any day after that as long as we’re together.” Elizabeth said with tears in her eyes.
Buck put his hand into the inside of his vest and produced a blue velvet bag. Opening it he held out his hand and a gold ring with a dark blue stone in it fell into his palm. Elizabeth gasped at seeing the ring; Buck took Beth’s left hand and placed the ring on her ring finger. Buck stood up and Beth flung herself into Buck’s arms and kissed him with the most passionate kiss she had ever given. Buck kissed her back with all the love and passion he had inside him. Beth pulled back and looked at the ring while he hugged her to his side.
“Buck it’s beautiful. How did you know blue is my favorite color?” Beth asked so happy she had to pinch herself to believe it was real.
“I didn’t know I got it because of the color of your eyes. They are so deep blue and they sparkle like stars. They are the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” Buck said with honesty. “Now we have to find a minister and get ourselves married. Buck said with a smile that made him look even more handsome at that moment.
Beth gave one more look to her ring, kissed Buck on the cheek, “Let’s go get married.” Beth said as she smiled brightly walking down the street.
For a brief moment, Buck felt like they were the only two people on the earth. It didn't take long however, for him to feel the eyes of the townsfolk on the boardwalks and street burning into his soul, and realize he and Beth were anything but alone. Without a thought he pulled Beth closer to his body as they walked down the middle of the street. 'Middle of the street?' Buck shook his head as he realized he wasn't particularly being as discreet as he should be. So, not to draw anymore, attention than they already had, he began to lead Beth more toward the walkway on his right.
"Is something wrong?" Beth asked, concern on her own face as she looked at the man she loved.
Buck looked into her big blue eyes as he led her onto the boarded walk, finally answering.
"I'm just a little uncomfortable with being the center of attention." He motioned with his head toward a group of people standing at the corner of the General Store. "I'm sure they are wondering what a beautiful, white woman is doing in the company of someone like me."
Placing her hand gently on the side of his face, Beth leaned in and gave him a light kiss on the lips. This was one advantage of being a tall girl. She loved the fact that she could just move in for the kiss without having to stand on her tiptoes. When she leaned in for another kiss, Buck turned his head slightly.
"No, not here." Buck placed his hand on hers, and removed it from his face a little more roughly than he had intended. "I'd rather not draw any more attention to us, than we already have, okay?" He whispered. When he looked into her eyes, Beth could almost see a sadness.
"I'm sorry." She apologized, hoping Buck would realize how sincere she truly was. "I didn't mean to be insensitive to your feelings. I guess it's just hard for me to believe that anyone would have a problem with us being together."
"You don't have to apologize, I should be the one saying I'm sorry." Buck forced a smile, but it only took one look into his Beth's eyes, and his eyes lit up as he realized how very, very lucky he really was; to have someone as wonderful as this woman in his life. He even remembered hearing Beth say how uncomfortable she was around people. She had always been told by her father that she would probably end up a spinster, because no man would want someone as tall and gangly, and plain looking as she was. But standing here looking at the beautiful woman with him, Buck only hoped she knew what she meant to him.
He took his hand and gently moved a strand of hair that had fallen out of its confinement, out of Beth's eyes. Placing his palm alongside her cheek, he lightly caressed her smooth skin with his fingers. He almost forgot the urgency of their mission here today. They had already taken up too much time loitering. Buck knew that although Ethan had most assuredly been thrown off of their track now; this man was too determined and vindictive to give up looking for the woman he assumed was going to be his wife.
Forty Seven
"Well, I'll be doggoned. I thought that was you, Buck. What on earth brings you to Omaha."
Out of nowhere a man's hand slapped Buck's back, at the same time reaching to shake his hand with his other one.
"Oh, excuse me ma'am." Sam's face reddened a little as he remembered the young lady who was obviously Buck's traveling companion.
A smile finally took the place of the shocked expression Buck's face had held when first accosted by the Marshal. He took Beth's hand and turned to face his friend, who held Buck's lone hand tightly.
"Sam, it's great to see you. I was actually bringing my frien......my fiancé to meet you and Emma." Buck recovered quickly from almost making a big mistake.
"Your fiancé?" Sam looked a bit shocked, but was soon himself again as he let go of Buck's hand, and reached for Beth's.
"It sure is nice to meet you, miss........."
"Elizabeth." Beth finished for him, since she knew he wouldn't know who she was. She blushed a little as Sam actually gave her a hug, squeezing her tightly to him.
Sam let Beth go, and grabbed Buck by the shoulders.
"How in the world did you snatch up such a purty lady? You holdin’ her hostage or something?"
Buck's eyes got wide, and his body tensed at Sam's remark, but softened as the big grin on the Territorial Marshal's face showed he knew nothing about Beth being missing, and the idea floating around that he had kidnapped her. He took a deep breath, when he realized his friend hadn't received anything from the telegraph office...............yet. Buck was sure it wouldn't be long before Ethan Jefferson had telegrams going every which way.
"Buck? Are you alright?" Beth noticed how he had stiffened at the remark Sam had made. Trying to ease his mind, she took his hand in hers.
"You must be Sam Cain," she said, as she offered her hand to the Marshal again. "Buck has told me so much about you." she fibbed, since Buck hadn't told her a whole lot about the Cain's.
Finally finding his voice again, Buck decided to tell Sam what else the two of them were doing in Omaha.
Grinning at his bride to be, he opened up a little to Sam.
"To tell the truth, Beth and I are......well, we decided to run.....I mean we decided to elope." He finally got the words out.
"Elope?" Sam looked surprised. "I don't suppose you told anyone back home about this plan of yours. And I'm almost positive that once Emma knows you're in town, she's gonna try to talk you out of eloping. She's gonna want to go back to Rock Creek and make sure that you give this little lady the wedding she deserves."
Elizabeth piped up. "Really, this is the way I want to get married. It was kinda my idea. Buck wanted to have a big celebration, but I talked him out of it. You see, I've never been one for big events, especially anything for me." Once again, she lied, but she figured it would look better if people were to believe that it was, she who made the arrangements.
"Buck wanted a big shindig? Don't seem right, seein’ as he's always so guarded, and fanfare never was a favorite of his." Sam turned his puzzled face to Buck.
"You want to tell me what's really going on here?"
Beth spoke again. "Buck was willing to have a big wedding, not because of himself, but because of me. He thought that was the way I would want it, so I changed his mind and here we are." She squeezed Buck's hand tightly.
Buck knew it wouldn't be too long before Sam found out what was going on, so he decided to fill his friend, the Marshal, in on the specifics.
"There's something I think you should know, Sam. Is there any chance we can talk.........somewhere not so public?"
"Sure," Sam answered. "You want to come to the house with me? Emma will skin me alive if she knows I let you get married without telling her. Maybe you can get married out at the house. I can bring the judge, and Emma and I could stand up for you, you're gonna need witnesses. Besides you gotta meet the younguns'."
Buck glanced at Beth to see how she felt, and he saw her smiling back at him. She nodded her head.
Looking at Sam, he agreed. "You're right about Emma. She'd kill the both of us, if you helped us without letting her know about it."
"But I really need to tell you something before you hear about it from someone or somewhere else. Can we talk over at the jail before going to see Emma?"
Sam nodded his head toward his office. "Let's go then. I'll send my deputy out to do something constructive. Barnett makes this fella look like a worn out, tired old hound dog, who couldn't pick up a scent to save his soul." He snickered, as he remembered working with Barnett.
Out of nowhere a man's hand slapped Buck's back, at the same time reaching to shake his hand with his other one.
"Oh, excuse me ma'am." Sam's face reddened a little as he remembered the young lady who was obviously Buck's traveling companion.
A smile finally took the place of the shocked expression Buck's face had held when first accosted by the Marshal. He took Beth's hand and turned to face his friend, who held Buck's lone hand tightly.
"Sam, it's great to see you. I was actually bringing my frien......my fiancé to meet you and Emma." Buck recovered quickly from almost making a big mistake.
"Your fiancé?" Sam looked a bit shocked, but was soon himself again as he let go of Buck's hand, and reached for Beth's.
"It sure is nice to meet you, miss........."
"Elizabeth." Beth finished for him, since she knew he wouldn't know who she was. She blushed a little as Sam actually gave her a hug, squeezing her tightly to him.
Sam let Beth go, and grabbed Buck by the shoulders.
"How in the world did you snatch up such a purty lady? You holdin’ her hostage or something?"
Buck's eyes got wide, and his body tensed at Sam's remark, but softened as the big grin on the Territorial Marshal's face showed he knew nothing about Beth being missing, and the idea floating around that he had kidnapped her. He took a deep breath, when he realized his friend hadn't received anything from the telegraph office...............yet. Buck was sure it wouldn't be long before Ethan Jefferson had telegrams going every which way.
"Buck? Are you alright?" Beth noticed how he had stiffened at the remark Sam had made. Trying to ease his mind, she took his hand in hers.
"You must be Sam Cain," she said, as she offered her hand to the Marshal again. "Buck has told me so much about you." she fibbed, since Buck hadn't told her a whole lot about the Cain's.
Finally finding his voice again, Buck decided to tell Sam what else the two of them were doing in Omaha.
Grinning at his bride to be, he opened up a little to Sam.
"To tell the truth, Beth and I are......well, we decided to run.....I mean we decided to elope." He finally got the words out.
"Elope?" Sam looked surprised. "I don't suppose you told anyone back home about this plan of yours. And I'm almost positive that once Emma knows you're in town, she's gonna try to talk you out of eloping. She's gonna want to go back to Rock Creek and make sure that you give this little lady the wedding she deserves."
Elizabeth piped up. "Really, this is the way I want to get married. It was kinda my idea. Buck wanted to have a big celebration, but I talked him out of it. You see, I've never been one for big events, especially anything for me." Once again, she lied, but she figured it would look better if people were to believe that it was, she who made the arrangements.
"Buck wanted a big shindig? Don't seem right, seein’ as he's always so guarded, and fanfare never was a favorite of his." Sam turned his puzzled face to Buck.
"You want to tell me what's really going on here?"
Beth spoke again. "Buck was willing to have a big wedding, not because of himself, but because of me. He thought that was the way I would want it, so I changed his mind and here we are." She squeezed Buck's hand tightly.
Buck knew it wouldn't be too long before Sam found out what was going on, so he decided to fill his friend, the Marshal, in on the specifics.
"There's something I think you should know, Sam. Is there any chance we can talk.........somewhere not so public?"
"Sure," Sam answered. "You want to come to the house with me? Emma will skin me alive if she knows I let you get married without telling her. Maybe you can get married out at the house. I can bring the judge, and Emma and I could stand up for you, you're gonna need witnesses. Besides you gotta meet the younguns'."
Buck glanced at Beth to see how she felt, and he saw her smiling back at him. She nodded her head.
Looking at Sam, he agreed. "You're right about Emma. She'd kill the both of us, if you helped us without letting her know about it."
"But I really need to tell you something before you hear about it from someone or somewhere else. Can we talk over at the jail before going to see Emma?"
Sam nodded his head toward his office. "Let's go then. I'll send my deputy out to do something constructive. Barnett makes this fella look like a worn out, tired old hound dog, who couldn't pick up a scent to save his soul." He snickered, as he remembered working with Barnett.
Forty Eight
After filling Sam in on what was going on, Buck sat back in his chair while the Marshal digested what he had just heard.
Tilting his chair back on the back two legs, something Teaspoon was always good at, Sam traced a chipped part of his desk with his finger.
"You sure this Jefferson fella committed this crime?"
"Beth's brother found out about it, he was a witness...........and I believe what Zander told us. Just meeting the man, myself I got the feeling that he was not only a man with a past, but a cold, calculating, callous man at that." Buck spoke the last words bitterly, also watching Beth's face to see her reaction.
"He's threatened Zander already, and the only reason he wanted to marry Beth was so that he could become the owner of the farm her father worked so hard with his own hands to build."
Sam, pushing himself away from his desk, stood and looked from Buck to the young woman standing next to him.
"I gotta say Buck; I've never known you to be one who would tell the untruth, so I reckon we best get on with your plan. You may have stalled this Jefferson fella some, but if he's as determined about his plan, as you are about yours........." He stopped when he saw Beth's eyes get teary. Placing his hand on her shoulder, Sam gave it a squeeze, and continued.
"Let's go find Judge Ford, invite him to the house for supper, and then get the two of you married."
Buck swallowed hard before asking the question that was nagging him about this judge.
"What are we going to tell him?"
Sam raised his eyebrows and grinned at the young man. Rubbing the stubble of hair on his chin that he hadn't dealt with this morning, he teased Buck.
"I reckon you'd be telling him that you're both in love, and that you want to get married. Isn't that what you're here for?"
Buck felt his face get warm. "Well, yeah, that's true, but do we need to tell him any of the other stuff. Like, anything about Ethan Jefferson?"
Looking at Beth, Sam spoke softly to her. "If you want to tell him something, then go ahead, but as far as I'm concerned, until this Jefferson fella shows up in town there's no reason to make him think you're here for anything other than to get hitched. I'm sure you're not the first couple he's ever met, to ask him to marry them. People come in on the stage constantly, so I'm sure he'll be honored that my friends have asked him to be the one to make their special day come true. Besides that, the Judge loves Emma's cooking. He would be at the house for supper every night if it were up to him."
The door to the office opened just as Sam was finishing.
"Did I hear something about Emma's cooking?" The man seemed to be too young for Buck to believe he was the judge, but when Sam reached out and grabbed his hand addressing him as such, he relaxed a little.
"Matthew, I'd like you to meet my good friend Buck Cross here. He's come all the way from Rock Creek to include Emma and I in his plan to marry this young lady. Emma spent a lot of time with him when he was younger and more like a pup. I suppose you could say she felt like a mama to him and five more like him. I almost thought she wouldn't want any babies of her own, but she's pretty tough." He paused to take a breath, and Buck was relieved when the man who had entered spoke to him.
"Buck, I'm very pleased to meet you. I'm sure you're shocked that I'm a judge. Come to think of it, I was shocked when I realized I'd passed the bar my first time taking it." As Matthew Ford reached for Buck's outstretched hand, he took his hat off with his other hand and nodded at Beth.
"So this beautiful young lady is your betrothed, I suppose." It wasn't really a question, and Beth's face turned a bright red as Matthew reached for her hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss.........." the young judge turned to Sam. "She does have a name, doesn't she Marshal?" He smiled at Beth as she answered him.
"It's Elizabeth. Elizabeth Sturgis, at least for now." Embarrassed that she had spoken so boldly, Beth lowered her head and eyes to the floor, waiting for it to open up and swallow her.
"Beautiful face and lovely voice. I would tell you if you didn't know it already that you are one lucky man. Do you mind me asking which church you plan on doing this in?"
"Well, actually............" Buck was thankful when Beth interrupted him, as the question the judge asked kind of threw him.
"We were hoping to be married at Sam and Emma's home."
"Parson Graham or the Reverend Rogers?" Judge Matthew Ford asked.
Sam finally found his voice again. "We were kind of hoping that maybe you would do the honors out at the house. Emma will be happy to have it there, and I happen to know she's made your favorite pie. Course, she doesn't even know these two are in town yet. We were just headed that way so you may as well come along with us."
"You don't have to ask me twice, that is if you're asking?" The judge looked at the young couple standing there. "I mean, just because Sam, says it, doesn't mean you have to ask me. I'm just saying if you were to ask, I'd be honored to make you man and wife."
Buck grinned at him, and reached to take his hand again.
"Actually we, would be very grateful if you would.” Buck felt Beth squeeze his hand tightly, and when he turned and looked at her, he was stunned by how beautiful she was at this moment. Especially with the smile on her face. Her lips looked so tantalizing and when she licked them, Buck couldn't control his desire to kiss her. He leaned down and captured her mouth with his, forgetting for a while where they were.
Beth leaned into the kiss, savoring every bit of it, and wondering if she was dreaming or if this was real.
"Ahem," Sam cleared his throat, and waited for the two to separate. It seemed odd, but the Marshal himself felt a little awkward, even though it was his office they were in.
Buck, hearing Sam clear his throat, slowly released Beth and glanced sheepishly at the two other men in the room.
"Maybe we'd better get home." Sam suggested. "You know, the sooner we eat, the sooner you'll be able to do that, in the privacy of your own room."
"Sorry about that." Buck apologized to Beth, who was trying very hard to keep a straight face.
"No need to apologize Mr. Cross, but the Marshal is right. The sooner we get going the sooner we can be married." Even though she was blushing, she hurriedly grabbed Buck's hand.
"Shall we go gentlemen?" Beth asked as she led Buck out the door, forgetting for the moment that she had no idea where Sam and Emma lived. She knew only that she needed a bit of fresh air, she was feeling claustrophobic inside the jailhouse.
When Sam and the Judge caught up with them, Sam chuckled.
"At least she knows what she wants, even if no one else does. The house is this way." He gestured toward the opposite direction Beth was heading. "I'll get us some fresh horses, it's not far, but it's not within walking distance either. That is, unless you're not starving like I am."
"It looks to me like they're thirstier than anything." Judge Matthew Ford chuckled too.
Tilting his chair back on the back two legs, something Teaspoon was always good at, Sam traced a chipped part of his desk with his finger.
"You sure this Jefferson fella committed this crime?"
"Beth's brother found out about it, he was a witness...........and I believe what Zander told us. Just meeting the man, myself I got the feeling that he was not only a man with a past, but a cold, calculating, callous man at that." Buck spoke the last words bitterly, also watching Beth's face to see her reaction.
"He's threatened Zander already, and the only reason he wanted to marry Beth was so that he could become the owner of the farm her father worked so hard with his own hands to build."
Sam, pushing himself away from his desk, stood and looked from Buck to the young woman standing next to him.
"I gotta say Buck; I've never known you to be one who would tell the untruth, so I reckon we best get on with your plan. You may have stalled this Jefferson fella some, but if he's as determined about his plan, as you are about yours........." He stopped when he saw Beth's eyes get teary. Placing his hand on her shoulder, Sam gave it a squeeze, and continued.
"Let's go find Judge Ford, invite him to the house for supper, and then get the two of you married."
Buck swallowed hard before asking the question that was nagging him about this judge.
"What are we going to tell him?"
Sam raised his eyebrows and grinned at the young man. Rubbing the stubble of hair on his chin that he hadn't dealt with this morning, he teased Buck.
"I reckon you'd be telling him that you're both in love, and that you want to get married. Isn't that what you're here for?"
Buck felt his face get warm. "Well, yeah, that's true, but do we need to tell him any of the other stuff. Like, anything about Ethan Jefferson?"
Looking at Beth, Sam spoke softly to her. "If you want to tell him something, then go ahead, but as far as I'm concerned, until this Jefferson fella shows up in town there's no reason to make him think you're here for anything other than to get hitched. I'm sure you're not the first couple he's ever met, to ask him to marry them. People come in on the stage constantly, so I'm sure he'll be honored that my friends have asked him to be the one to make their special day come true. Besides that, the Judge loves Emma's cooking. He would be at the house for supper every night if it were up to him."
The door to the office opened just as Sam was finishing.
"Did I hear something about Emma's cooking?" The man seemed to be too young for Buck to believe he was the judge, but when Sam reached out and grabbed his hand addressing him as such, he relaxed a little.
"Matthew, I'd like you to meet my good friend Buck Cross here. He's come all the way from Rock Creek to include Emma and I in his plan to marry this young lady. Emma spent a lot of time with him when he was younger and more like a pup. I suppose you could say she felt like a mama to him and five more like him. I almost thought she wouldn't want any babies of her own, but she's pretty tough." He paused to take a breath, and Buck was relieved when the man who had entered spoke to him.
"Buck, I'm very pleased to meet you. I'm sure you're shocked that I'm a judge. Come to think of it, I was shocked when I realized I'd passed the bar my first time taking it." As Matthew Ford reached for Buck's outstretched hand, he took his hat off with his other hand and nodded at Beth.
"So this beautiful young lady is your betrothed, I suppose." It wasn't really a question, and Beth's face turned a bright red as Matthew reached for her hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss.........." the young judge turned to Sam. "She does have a name, doesn't she Marshal?" He smiled at Beth as she answered him.
"It's Elizabeth. Elizabeth Sturgis, at least for now." Embarrassed that she had spoken so boldly, Beth lowered her head and eyes to the floor, waiting for it to open up and swallow her.
"Beautiful face and lovely voice. I would tell you if you didn't know it already that you are one lucky man. Do you mind me asking which church you plan on doing this in?"
"Well, actually............" Buck was thankful when Beth interrupted him, as the question the judge asked kind of threw him.
"We were hoping to be married at Sam and Emma's home."
"Parson Graham or the Reverend Rogers?" Judge Matthew Ford asked.
Sam finally found his voice again. "We were kind of hoping that maybe you would do the honors out at the house. Emma will be happy to have it there, and I happen to know she's made your favorite pie. Course, she doesn't even know these two are in town yet. We were just headed that way so you may as well come along with us."
"You don't have to ask me twice, that is if you're asking?" The judge looked at the young couple standing there. "I mean, just because Sam, says it, doesn't mean you have to ask me. I'm just saying if you were to ask, I'd be honored to make you man and wife."
Buck grinned at him, and reached to take his hand again.
"Actually we, would be very grateful if you would.” Buck felt Beth squeeze his hand tightly, and when he turned and looked at her, he was stunned by how beautiful she was at this moment. Especially with the smile on her face. Her lips looked so tantalizing and when she licked them, Buck couldn't control his desire to kiss her. He leaned down and captured her mouth with his, forgetting for a while where they were.
Beth leaned into the kiss, savoring every bit of it, and wondering if she was dreaming or if this was real.
"Ahem," Sam cleared his throat, and waited for the two to separate. It seemed odd, but the Marshal himself felt a little awkward, even though it was his office they were in.
Buck, hearing Sam clear his throat, slowly released Beth and glanced sheepishly at the two other men in the room.
"Maybe we'd better get home." Sam suggested. "You know, the sooner we eat, the sooner you'll be able to do that, in the privacy of your own room."
"Sorry about that." Buck apologized to Beth, who was trying very hard to keep a straight face.
"No need to apologize Mr. Cross, but the Marshal is right. The sooner we get going the sooner we can be married." Even though she was blushing, she hurriedly grabbed Buck's hand.
"Shall we go gentlemen?" Beth asked as she led Buck out the door, forgetting for the moment that she had no idea where Sam and Emma lived. She knew only that she needed a bit of fresh air, she was feeling claustrophobic inside the jailhouse.
When Sam and the Judge caught up with them, Sam chuckled.
"At least she knows what she wants, even if no one else does. The house is this way." He gestured toward the opposite direction Beth was heading. "I'll get us some fresh horses, it's not far, but it's not within walking distance either. That is, unless you're not starving like I am."
"It looks to me like they're thirstier than anything." Judge Matthew Ford chuckled too.
Forty Nine
Emma heard more than one horse approaching and looked out the window wondering who was with Sam at this hour of the day. Emma had to look twice to make sure it was who she thought it was. She ran out of the house and stopped at Buck's horse. "Buck Cross is that really you?" Emma asked with excitement.
"Hi Emma. It's great to see you again." Buck said as he dismounted his horse and gave Emma a hug.
Just at that moment two little whirlwinds came out of the house and ran to their Pa. The two boys looked at Buck and Beth and asked "Who are they Pa?"
"He's a friend of your Ma and me from Sweetwater but, he lives in Rock Creek now. This is Buck Cross he rode for the Pony Express and this pretty lady is Elizabeth Sturgis his soon to be wife."
Emma let out a small gasp when she heard Buck was marrying the girl in front of her. "Buck that is wonderful news. Oh, I almost forgot these are our sons Sam Jr. and Elijah." Emma said as she walked over to Elizabeth. "It's a pleasure to meet you Elizabeth. I just knew someday the right girl would come along for Buck. He's such a sweet boy." Emma said to Elizabeth making Buck blush crimson. "So, what brings you to Omaha?" Emma asked.
Buck looked at Beth and she gave him a reassuring smile. "We were hoping we could get married here in your house tonight but, if it's too much trouble we can go somewhere else.” Buck said starting to feel self-conscious.
"Here, well that's a wonderful idea. I just so happened to make a cake today with white icing. I must have known something special was going to happen. I'm honored you thought of us to be a part of your special day." Emma said happily. "Matthew Ford is that you back there?" Emma asked when she saw the judge in the back of the group.
"Why, yes, it is Emma. I'm here to marry these two and Sam said I could stay for dinner. I could never pass up one of your delicious meals and cake to boot.” Matthew said with a bashful grin on his face.
"Well everyone come on in the house I usually make extra for Sam to have a late, night snack. Looks like you'll be missing your midnight excursion to the kitchen tonight, Sam." Emma stated laughing as everybody joined in.
"Hi Emma. It's great to see you again." Buck said as he dismounted his horse and gave Emma a hug.
Just at that moment two little whirlwinds came out of the house and ran to their Pa. The two boys looked at Buck and Beth and asked "Who are they Pa?"
"He's a friend of your Ma and me from Sweetwater but, he lives in Rock Creek now. This is Buck Cross he rode for the Pony Express and this pretty lady is Elizabeth Sturgis his soon to be wife."
Emma let out a small gasp when she heard Buck was marrying the girl in front of her. "Buck that is wonderful news. Oh, I almost forgot these are our sons Sam Jr. and Elijah." Emma said as she walked over to Elizabeth. "It's a pleasure to meet you Elizabeth. I just knew someday the right girl would come along for Buck. He's such a sweet boy." Emma said to Elizabeth making Buck blush crimson. "So, what brings you to Omaha?" Emma asked.
Buck looked at Beth and she gave him a reassuring smile. "We were hoping we could get married here in your house tonight but, if it's too much trouble we can go somewhere else.” Buck said starting to feel self-conscious.
"Here, well that's a wonderful idea. I just so happened to make a cake today with white icing. I must have known something special was going to happen. I'm honored you thought of us to be a part of your special day." Emma said happily. "Matthew Ford is that you back there?" Emma asked when she saw the judge in the back of the group.
"Why, yes, it is Emma. I'm here to marry these two and Sam said I could stay for dinner. I could never pass up one of your delicious meals and cake to boot.” Matthew said with a bashful grin on his face.
"Well everyone come on in the house I usually make extra for Sam to have a late, night snack. Looks like you'll be missing your midnight excursion to the kitchen tonight, Sam." Emma stated laughing as everybody joined in.
Fifty
Dinner was a happy but nerve, wracking affair for Buck and Beth. As Emma and Sam washed the dishes and cleared up the living room of toys. Buck was in the back yard trying to get his nerves under control. While Beth was in the spare room trying to make herself look presentable for the ceremony and stave off an attack of butterflies in her stomach that felt like a herd of horses instead of butterflies. Emma came upstairs and knocked on Elizabeth's door. "Can I come in? Emma asked the nervous bride.
"Of, course you can Mrs. Cain" Elizabeth said shyly.
"Now you can call me Emma. I insist." Emma said kindly. "Do you have anything special you'd like to wear with you? If not, I think one of my fancier dresses would fit you. If you like." Emma asked the young girl.
"Thank you, Emma. That would be very nice." Elizabeth replied bursting into tears.
Emma took Elizabeth into her arms as she cried. "What this all about? Are you nervous, honey?" Emma questioned the crying young lady in her arms.
"It's just I never thought anyone would want to marry me. I can't believe I've found Buck and that he loves me. I always thought I'd become a spinster and live my days out alone. I'm just so grateful for Buck and I love him more than I've ever loved anyone before." Elizabeth said in one breath. "It's just hard to believe someone so special wants me." Elizabeth said sniffling.
"Oh, honey I can tell that you and Buck were meant for each other just by looking at the way you act around one another. He's fallen hard for you and from what I can see from you is that you've fallen in love. I'll go get some of my dresses to see how they look on you. Okay?" Emma said as she left the room.
Sam stepped out into the backyard and approached Buck. "You're going to make a rut in the dirt if you don't stop pacing like that." Sam joked. Buck looked at him with a face that said he was petrified. "Buck you look like you're going to be sick. Are you alright?" Sam asked.
"I’m just a touch nervous. What if she changes her mind?" Buck said shakily.
"Buck from what I see that girl loves you and you love her. There's something more to you and her than just love there's respect and adoration in both your eyes. I can tell you for sure she won't get cold feet." Sam said reassuringly. Buck looked at Sam and gave him a big smile. He was going to marry the woman of his dreams and they were going to be happy. "It's just a few minutes until the ceremony. Do you think you're ready?" Sam queried.
"I've been ready since the day I saw her for the first time." Buck said as he and Sam headed into the house.
Judge Ford held a simple marriage service and was soon pronouncing Buck and Elizabeth as husband and wife. When he told Buck, he could ‘kiss the bride’, Elizabeth suddenly became shy and only allowed him a quick peck before pulling away.
Buck pulled her into a close hug and whispered, "Are you alright?"
She whispered back. "Suddenly I just felt so self-conscious; everyone is watching us."
Buck let her go with a soft chuckle. "That's what they're supposed to do," he said.
Beth blushed. "I know," she said. She then surprised everyone by leaning in and kissing Buck deeply and passionately.
"Of, course you can Mrs. Cain" Elizabeth said shyly.
"Now you can call me Emma. I insist." Emma said kindly. "Do you have anything special you'd like to wear with you? If not, I think one of my fancier dresses would fit you. If you like." Emma asked the young girl.
"Thank you, Emma. That would be very nice." Elizabeth replied bursting into tears.
Emma took Elizabeth into her arms as she cried. "What this all about? Are you nervous, honey?" Emma questioned the crying young lady in her arms.
"It's just I never thought anyone would want to marry me. I can't believe I've found Buck and that he loves me. I always thought I'd become a spinster and live my days out alone. I'm just so grateful for Buck and I love him more than I've ever loved anyone before." Elizabeth said in one breath. "It's just hard to believe someone so special wants me." Elizabeth said sniffling.
"Oh, honey I can tell that you and Buck were meant for each other just by looking at the way you act around one another. He's fallen hard for you and from what I can see from you is that you've fallen in love. I'll go get some of my dresses to see how they look on you. Okay?" Emma said as she left the room.
Sam stepped out into the backyard and approached Buck. "You're going to make a rut in the dirt if you don't stop pacing like that." Sam joked. Buck looked at him with a face that said he was petrified. "Buck you look like you're going to be sick. Are you alright?" Sam asked.
"I’m just a touch nervous. What if she changes her mind?" Buck said shakily.
"Buck from what I see that girl loves you and you love her. There's something more to you and her than just love there's respect and adoration in both your eyes. I can tell you for sure she won't get cold feet." Sam said reassuringly. Buck looked at Sam and gave him a big smile. He was going to marry the woman of his dreams and they were going to be happy. "It's just a few minutes until the ceremony. Do you think you're ready?" Sam queried.
"I've been ready since the day I saw her for the first time." Buck said as he and Sam headed into the house.
Judge Ford held a simple marriage service and was soon pronouncing Buck and Elizabeth as husband and wife. When he told Buck, he could ‘kiss the bride’, Elizabeth suddenly became shy and only allowed him a quick peck before pulling away.
Buck pulled her into a close hug and whispered, "Are you alright?"
She whispered back. "Suddenly I just felt so self-conscious; everyone is watching us."
Buck let her go with a soft chuckle. "That's what they're supposed to do," he said.
Beth blushed. "I know," she said. She then surprised everyone by leaning in and kissing Buck deeply and passionately.
Fifty One
Back in Rock Creek, Ethan Jefferson was quickly gathering a posse to go after Buck. He managed to convince some of the locals that Buck had taken Beth against her will; the fact that he was willing to pay anyone who joined up fifty dollars a day to anyone who stay the whole time didn't hurt either.
They once more followed the trail that led away from the ranch. When they reached the place, Ethan had lost the trail earlier, he turned to the Indian scout he had borrowed from the army. "Anything?"
The man studied the ground closely. "Wait here," he said as he moved off. After a few minutes, he returned and motioned for Ethan and the others to join him. They moved slowly because Buck had done a good job of covering their tracks and laying false trails.
After about 3 days on the trail, many of the men returned to Rock Creek. Even the promise of money wasn't enough to convince them continue. "Fine," said Ethan. "We'll find them without you."
At the end of the fourth day, the scout picked up the trail. "Looks like they are going to Omaha," he said.
"Why would he take her there?" Ethan asked.
The scout shrugged. "I do not know," he said. "I've only seen the man once or twice; I know nothing about him other than he once rode for the Pony Express."
They once more followed the trail that led away from the ranch. When they reached the place, Ethan had lost the trail earlier, he turned to the Indian scout he had borrowed from the army. "Anything?"
The man studied the ground closely. "Wait here," he said as he moved off. After a few minutes, he returned and motioned for Ethan and the others to join him. They moved slowly because Buck had done a good job of covering their tracks and laying false trails.
After about 3 days on the trail, many of the men returned to Rock Creek. Even the promise of money wasn't enough to convince them continue. "Fine," said Ethan. "We'll find them without you."
At the end of the fourth day, the scout picked up the trail. "Looks like they are going to Omaha," he said.
"Why would he take her there?" Ethan asked.
The scout shrugged. "I do not know," he said. "I've only seen the man once or twice; I know nothing about him other than he once rode for the Pony Express."
Fifty Two
After the ceremony, Emma served coffee and cake to the newlyweds, Judge Ford, and her husband. Sam Jr. and Elijah congratulated the couple, as their father instructed them to do, gobbled up their cake, and were gone.
"Those boy's will be the death of me," Emma said, as she bent down to clean up the trail of crumbs they left behind.
"Stop saying that Emma!" Sam scolded.
"Maybe next time you'll give me a girl Sam Cain." Emma winked at her husband.
"Maybe," he smiled.
Buck smiled too, missing the familiar banter of these two people that he felt so close to. Beth just blushed furiously.
After a little more conversation, the Judge excused himself, again thanking Buck and Elizabeth for the honor of marrying them. He then gave Emma a hug, and let Sam walk him out.
"Well, I'd better see about getting the boys to bed, and getting the guest room ready for the two of you." she smiled.
Beth glanced at her husband, suddenly feeling more nervous than ever.
"You don't have to do that Emma. We don't want to impose..."
"Don't be silly Buck. I know this isn’t the kind of privacy you might want on your wedding night, but your wife has had a very long day. You're not staying at the hotel." Emma gave him 'the look', and he knew there would be no dissuading her.
"Yes ma'am."
Beth repeated the words she had just heard in her head. "His wife." She was a married woman now. Of course, she had planned to be married by now, but not to Buck. She felt a mixture of giddiness and apprehension thinking of what would come next.
"Hey Buck, I could use a hand out here!" Sam called to Buck from the front door, and he excused himself from the company of the women.
"What is it?" he asked Sam as he stepped down off the porch. Judge Ford was gone, and everything seemed quiet.
"Nothing" Sam smiled, "just figured you could use a few minutes of fresh air."
"Thanks." Buck laughed, a bit nervously.
"You really love her don't, you?"
"Yes." Buck answered without hesitation.
"Any idea what you're going to do next?"
"No."
"Those boy's will be the death of me," Emma said, as she bent down to clean up the trail of crumbs they left behind.
"Stop saying that Emma!" Sam scolded.
"Maybe next time you'll give me a girl Sam Cain." Emma winked at her husband.
"Maybe," he smiled.
Buck smiled too, missing the familiar banter of these two people that he felt so close to. Beth just blushed furiously.
After a little more conversation, the Judge excused himself, again thanking Buck and Elizabeth for the honor of marrying them. He then gave Emma a hug, and let Sam walk him out.
"Well, I'd better see about getting the boys to bed, and getting the guest room ready for the two of you." she smiled.
Beth glanced at her husband, suddenly feeling more nervous than ever.
"You don't have to do that Emma. We don't want to impose..."
"Don't be silly Buck. I know this isn’t the kind of privacy you might want on your wedding night, but your wife has had a very long day. You're not staying at the hotel." Emma gave him 'the look', and he knew there would be no dissuading her.
"Yes ma'am."
Beth repeated the words she had just heard in her head. "His wife." She was a married woman now. Of course, she had planned to be married by now, but not to Buck. She felt a mixture of giddiness and apprehension thinking of what would come next.
"Hey Buck, I could use a hand out here!" Sam called to Buck from the front door, and he excused himself from the company of the women.
"What is it?" he asked Sam as he stepped down off the porch. Judge Ford was gone, and everything seemed quiet.
"Nothing" Sam smiled, "just figured you could use a few minutes of fresh air."
"Thanks." Buck laughed, a bit nervously.
"You really love her don't, you?"
"Yes." Buck answered without hesitation.
"Any idea what you're going to do next?"
"No."
Fifty Three
Beth followed Emma upstairs to the guestroom, standing by a bit awkwardly as the older woman set about putting clean linens on the bed.
"I can help..." she offered.
"No, no, you just relax."
"But I want to thank you for...for everything today."
"You're welcome." Emma said simply, watching the girl as she fluffed one of the feather pillows.
"Buck is a good man." Emma told her. "He doesn't say much, but he feels things with his whole heart. He wouldn't have done this unless he was sure about you."
"I know." Beth fiddled with the fabric of her borrowed wedding dress. "I just hope I can make him as happy as he deserves to be."
"Just be kind to each other. That's the most important thing."
"I can help..." she offered.
"No, no, you just relax."
"But I want to thank you for...for everything today."
"You're welcome." Emma said simply, watching the girl as she fluffed one of the feather pillows.
"Buck is a good man." Emma told her. "He doesn't say much, but he feels things with his whole heart. He wouldn't have done this unless he was sure about you."
"I know." Beth fiddled with the fabric of her borrowed wedding dress. "I just hope I can make him as happy as he deserves to be."
"Just be kind to each other. That's the most important thing."
"So, you think Jefferson is already on your trail?" Sam asked, looking up at the stars.
"Probably. It doesn't matter really, he's too late."
"A man like that isn’t going to give up easy Buck. The fact that you stole her out from under him, might make him more determined to get even."
"I know."
Does Elizabeth know about Ike?"
Buck looked at the Marshall, and understanding his meaning, spoke slowly. "Not everything." he admitted.
"What about Camille?"
"No." Buck looked down at the ground, suddenly feeling less confident about his recent decisions.
"I’m not trying to push you Buck, I'm just saying...if Jefferson wanted to, he could find these things out pretty easy. He could make things tough for you. Wouldn't you rather have her hear about your past from you, instead of somebody else?"
"Probably. It doesn't matter really, he's too late."
"A man like that isn’t going to give up easy Buck. The fact that you stole her out from under him, might make him more determined to get even."
"I know."
Does Elizabeth know about Ike?"
Buck looked at the Marshall, and understanding his meaning, spoke slowly. "Not everything." he admitted.
"What about Camille?"
"No." Buck looked down at the ground, suddenly feeling less confident about his recent decisions.
"I’m not trying to push you Buck, I'm just saying...if Jefferson wanted to, he could find these things out pretty easy. He could make things tough for you. Wouldn't you rather have her hear about your past from you, instead of somebody else?"
Fifty Four
They heard the front door open and close just as Emma was turning down the lantern in the guest room.
"Well, looks like my husband has good timing for once." Emma joked. She walked past Beth to go down the stairs, and the girl followed, still feeling unsure of herself.
Buck smiled tentatively at his bride as she descended the stairs. He had been so sure of himself earlier today. Now he had accomplished his goal, and he wasn't at all sure what to do next.
Sam cleared his throat as he watched the young couple watch each other.
"Well, Emma, I expect we'd better think about turnin' in. Did you check on the boys?"
"I'm sure they're still out in the barn. They need to come in and wash up."
"I'll fetch them." Sam opened the door to go back outside and Buck put a hand on his arm to stop him.
"Thanks Sam for everything."
"Sure thing Buck. Glad to have you here."
Emma gave Elizabeth one more reassuring hug and kissed Buck on the cheek. "Sleep well now." She told them.
As Emma left to follow Sam, Beth made her way across the room to Buck. She glanced at him before her shyness once more overtook her and she dropped her gaze to the ground. She was sure he was regretting the decision he'd made, and was trying to think how to tell her.
Buck reached out and took her hand. He pulled her to him and gently kissed her cheek. "You look tired," he said.
She nodded. "It has been a rather long day," she whispered.
"Let's go up to bed," Buck said. He kept Beth's hand in his as he headed to the stairs.
At the bottom of the stairs, Beth stopped and pulled her hand free. She took a deep breath and tried to prevent the tears from escaping her eyes, but couldn't.
Buck reached up and wiped the lone tear from her cheek. "What's wrong?" he asked, hoping the fear he felt didn't show in his voice.
Beth simply shook her head. "I'm just..." she paused, "I'm so happy," she finally said.
Buck leaned in and once more kissed her. "We don't have to do anything you don't want to."
Beth nodded. "I'm sorry," she said.
Buck put his arm around her and moved to stand beside her. "Don't be," he said. "I'm not sure now is the right time anyway." He once more started up the stairs. When they reached the door to the room they would be sharing, Buck pushed it open and then picked Beth up and carried her inside. He made his way to the bed and set her down.
Beth smiled at him as he went to shut the door before turning to face her. He knelt down and took her face in his hands. He once more kissed her, this time letting his tongue trail across her lips. She sighed and opened her mouth to allow him in.
Buck smiled as he deepened the kiss and began to undo the buttons of Beth's dress. He worked slowly so as not to frighten her. Under his gentle movements, he could feel her relaxing.
When Buck moved to slip her dress off her shoulders, Beth started. She pulled away, and looked away from him trying to hide her tears.
"It's alright," Buck said as he took her chin in his hand and forced her to face him. He kissed her forehead. "Why don't you get changed?"
Beth nodded and wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry," she repeated. "I'm just not ready; I really thought I was, but..."
Buck leaned in and kissed her once more. "I understand," he said. "I'll go over behind the screen and change so you can have some privacy." He smiled at her. "I can sleep on the floor if you want."
Beth laughed softly. "No," she said. "I want you to hold me; I’m just not ready to...you know."
Buck nodded. "I know," he said. "I'm not sure I am either."
Taking a deep breath, Buck stepped behind the screen in Sam and Emma's guest bedroom and unfastened his belt. As he thought about the events of the last twenty-four, hours he almost had the urge to laugh. Here he was, married to the woman that he loved. The woman who, this time yesterday, had been another man's fiancée...and yet, he was undressing alone, in Emma Cain's house.
Buck's mother had always told him to trust that the gods would take care of him, even when things seemed hopeless, or didn't make sense. He just hoped that this time, they weren't playing a cruel joke on him.
"Well, looks like my husband has good timing for once." Emma joked. She walked past Beth to go down the stairs, and the girl followed, still feeling unsure of herself.
Buck smiled tentatively at his bride as she descended the stairs. He had been so sure of himself earlier today. Now he had accomplished his goal, and he wasn't at all sure what to do next.
Sam cleared his throat as he watched the young couple watch each other.
"Well, Emma, I expect we'd better think about turnin' in. Did you check on the boys?"
"I'm sure they're still out in the barn. They need to come in and wash up."
"I'll fetch them." Sam opened the door to go back outside and Buck put a hand on his arm to stop him.
"Thanks Sam for everything."
"Sure thing Buck. Glad to have you here."
Emma gave Elizabeth one more reassuring hug and kissed Buck on the cheek. "Sleep well now." She told them.
As Emma left to follow Sam, Beth made her way across the room to Buck. She glanced at him before her shyness once more overtook her and she dropped her gaze to the ground. She was sure he was regretting the decision he'd made, and was trying to think how to tell her.
Buck reached out and took her hand. He pulled her to him and gently kissed her cheek. "You look tired," he said.
She nodded. "It has been a rather long day," she whispered.
"Let's go up to bed," Buck said. He kept Beth's hand in his as he headed to the stairs.
At the bottom of the stairs, Beth stopped and pulled her hand free. She took a deep breath and tried to prevent the tears from escaping her eyes, but couldn't.
Buck reached up and wiped the lone tear from her cheek. "What's wrong?" he asked, hoping the fear he felt didn't show in his voice.
Beth simply shook her head. "I'm just..." she paused, "I'm so happy," she finally said.
Buck leaned in and once more kissed her. "We don't have to do anything you don't want to."
Beth nodded. "I'm sorry," she said.
Buck put his arm around her and moved to stand beside her. "Don't be," he said. "I'm not sure now is the right time anyway." He once more started up the stairs. When they reached the door to the room they would be sharing, Buck pushed it open and then picked Beth up and carried her inside. He made his way to the bed and set her down.
Beth smiled at him as he went to shut the door before turning to face her. He knelt down and took her face in his hands. He once more kissed her, this time letting his tongue trail across her lips. She sighed and opened her mouth to allow him in.
Buck smiled as he deepened the kiss and began to undo the buttons of Beth's dress. He worked slowly so as not to frighten her. Under his gentle movements, he could feel her relaxing.
When Buck moved to slip her dress off her shoulders, Beth started. She pulled away, and looked away from him trying to hide her tears.
"It's alright," Buck said as he took her chin in his hand and forced her to face him. He kissed her forehead. "Why don't you get changed?"
Beth nodded and wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry," she repeated. "I'm just not ready; I really thought I was, but..."
Buck leaned in and kissed her once more. "I understand," he said. "I'll go over behind the screen and change so you can have some privacy." He smiled at her. "I can sleep on the floor if you want."
Beth laughed softly. "No," she said. "I want you to hold me; I’m just not ready to...you know."
Buck nodded. "I know," he said. "I'm not sure I am either."
Taking a deep breath, Buck stepped behind the screen in Sam and Emma's guest bedroom and unfastened his belt. As he thought about the events of the last twenty-four, hours he almost had the urge to laugh. Here he was, married to the woman that he loved. The woman who, this time yesterday, had been another man's fiancée...and yet, he was undressing alone, in Emma Cain's house.
Buck's mother had always told him to trust that the gods would take care of him, even when things seemed hopeless, or didn't make sense. He just hoped that this time, they weren't playing a cruel joke on him.
Fifty Five
Beth waited until Buck disappeared behind the screen, before she stepped out of her wedding gown, and fumbled for her night dress in the near-darkness. She felt like a ninny, being embarrassed in front of her husband, but she couldn't very well hide it. Her mother had explained a few things to her about being...married, but she really had very little idea of what to expect. She glanced at the screen across the room, and felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension. She prayed that her husband would be patient with her, as she climbed into bed and pulled the covers up over her chest.
"Buck?" she called to him.
"Can I come out now?" he asked.
Beth stifled a giggle as she answered. "Yes."
Buck came out from behind the screen wearing his long john bottoms. Beth smiled as she looked at him walking towards the bed in which she laid. Pulling back the covers, Buck slipped underneath and moved so he was close to Elizabeth.
"I love you," he said and placed a small kiss on her cheek.
"I love you, too," whispered Elizabeth and snuggled closer to his side. It was nice just laying close to each other.
Buck nodded and kissed the top of her head, her face, slowly making his way towards her full lips.
"Buck..." said Elizabeth. "I'm not ready to..." She blushed as she pushed at his bare chest.
"I'm sorry," said Buck, "you're beautiful." Then he bit his lip. "Is it all right if we just hold each other?"
Elizabeth nodded, smiled shyly and laid her head over his heart. Listening to the steady thump-thump soothed her.
Soothed her so much in fact, that she was almost asleep when she heard his voice again.
"Beth?"
She started slightly, and looked up into his dark eyes.
"I'm sorry..." he began.
Elizabeth's brow knotted in confusion as she sat up slightly on her elbow, her hand still resting on Buck's bare chest.
"What for?"
"I know this isn't what a woman dreams of when she thinks about her wedding day..."
"You've actually thought about what a woman would plan for her wedding?" She teased him, hoping that would make him smile.
"Not exactly, but I know you didn't plan to be taken away from your family and married in front of people you don't even know."
Beth was quiet for a moment before answering.
"I just wish I could have given you what you wanted." Buck told her quietly.
"You did." Beth leaned closer and brushed her lips lightly over his.
Buck shook his head, as if he didn't believe her.
"It's true that this isn't really what I pictured when I thought about my wedding day, Buck, but I did dream that I would be with you on this day. You're the man I love. How we got here doesn't really matter does it?"
"Still...I hope you won't regret this later." Buck let his fingers run through Beth's long hair, pushing it back from her face.
"The only thing that I would regret, is finding out that you did this...just to help me. I wouldn't want you to give up any of your dreams either." She glanced down at the ring on her left hand, afraid of seeing her fears confirmed in Buck's eyes.
He touched her face, and when she looked up at him again, the look in his eyes, even in the darkness, told her she had nothing to worry about.
"I love you Elizabeth. That's why I married you. There is no other reason. I brought you here to protect you. We'll go back and face Jefferson and your family together.
Elizabeth reached up and pulled Buck closer. His simple words made her feel more loved and wanted, than perhaps she had ever felt.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you for loving me."
Buck held her close for a moment, but when his body began to respond to her, he pushed her away gently.
"I'm sorr..."
"Stop saying that." Beth scolded. " You have nothing to be sorry for. It's our wedding night, and we should be together, it's just..."
"There are some things we need to talk about first Beth. Things I should have told you before now."
"Buck?" she called to him.
"Can I come out now?" he asked.
Beth stifled a giggle as she answered. "Yes."
Buck came out from behind the screen wearing his long john bottoms. Beth smiled as she looked at him walking towards the bed in which she laid. Pulling back the covers, Buck slipped underneath and moved so he was close to Elizabeth.
"I love you," he said and placed a small kiss on her cheek.
"I love you, too," whispered Elizabeth and snuggled closer to his side. It was nice just laying close to each other.
Buck nodded and kissed the top of her head, her face, slowly making his way towards her full lips.
"Buck..." said Elizabeth. "I'm not ready to..." She blushed as she pushed at his bare chest.
"I'm sorry," said Buck, "you're beautiful." Then he bit his lip. "Is it all right if we just hold each other?"
Elizabeth nodded, smiled shyly and laid her head over his heart. Listening to the steady thump-thump soothed her.
Soothed her so much in fact, that she was almost asleep when she heard his voice again.
"Beth?"
She started slightly, and looked up into his dark eyes.
"I'm sorry..." he began.
Elizabeth's brow knotted in confusion as she sat up slightly on her elbow, her hand still resting on Buck's bare chest.
"What for?"
"I know this isn't what a woman dreams of when she thinks about her wedding day..."
"You've actually thought about what a woman would plan for her wedding?" She teased him, hoping that would make him smile.
"Not exactly, but I know you didn't plan to be taken away from your family and married in front of people you don't even know."
Beth was quiet for a moment before answering.
"I just wish I could have given you what you wanted." Buck told her quietly.
"You did." Beth leaned closer and brushed her lips lightly over his.
Buck shook his head, as if he didn't believe her.
"It's true that this isn't really what I pictured when I thought about my wedding day, Buck, but I did dream that I would be with you on this day. You're the man I love. How we got here doesn't really matter does it?"
"Still...I hope you won't regret this later." Buck let his fingers run through Beth's long hair, pushing it back from her face.
"The only thing that I would regret, is finding out that you did this...just to help me. I wouldn't want you to give up any of your dreams either." She glanced down at the ring on her left hand, afraid of seeing her fears confirmed in Buck's eyes.
He touched her face, and when she looked up at him again, the look in his eyes, even in the darkness, told her she had nothing to worry about.
"I love you Elizabeth. That's why I married you. There is no other reason. I brought you here to protect you. We'll go back and face Jefferson and your family together.
Elizabeth reached up and pulled Buck closer. His simple words made her feel more loved and wanted, than perhaps she had ever felt.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you for loving me."
Buck held her close for a moment, but when his body began to respond to her, he pushed her away gently.
"I'm sorr..."
"Stop saying that." Beth scolded. " You have nothing to be sorry for. It's our wedding night, and we should be together, it's just..."
"There are some things we need to talk about first Beth. Things I should have told you before now."
Fifty Six
Buck sat up in bed and leaned back against the headboard, taking a deep breath.
"What is it?" Elizabeth asked, trying to keep the worry from her voice.
"I told you I left the Kiowa when I was twelve..."
"Yes," Beth nodded, suddenly feeling butterflies in her stomach.
"I need to tell you why."
"I spent months on my own. I had no idea where Little Bird might be. I figured she was probably dead by then. When I got to the mission, I only intended to stay for a short time."
Beth smiled sadly at her new husband, thinking how alone he must have felt. "You must have loved her a great deal to go searching for her like that."
"She was the only one that I could be myself with." Buck explained.
"I'm sure she felt the same way about you."
Buck glanced at Elizabeth, trying to gage her reaction to his tale. The last thing he wanted to do was upset her.
"Did you ever find out what happened to her?"
"That's what I need to tell you...before you hear it from somebody else...about four years ago, when Kid and I still worked for the Express, she came to visit me, with her fiancé."
Buck paused, and Elizabeth held her breath, knowing that Buck was about to come to the point of his story.
"I kidnapped her too."
Elizabeth swallowed, determined to keep her composure as a thousand different thoughts ran through her head.
"Because you still loved her?"
"Part of me did, but there was something else too..."
Beth listened in silence as Buck talked about his journey with the girl that he had once been so close to, who had returned to him before beginning her life with someone else.
"I know it seems impossible, but I know that White Feather guided me, and helped me to save her."
"I believe you." Beth said simply.
"When it was all over, Little Bird...I mean Camille, told me that what happened that day wasn't my fault. She said maybe it was meant to be that way all along."
"What do you mean?" Beth asked. Without thinking, she reached over to take Buck's hand in hers.
"She said that we were meant to serve in other places, with other people. Now I know she was right."
Elizabeth blushed as Buck's meaning dawned on her.
"This is where I'm meant to be Beth. With you. I knew it almost from the first moment I saw you." Buck looked at her, in that intense way that made her feel like she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
"But if you felt that way...why didn't you say something? Why did you run away when you found out what I'd agreed to with Ethan? I thought I'd never see..."
"Because it scared the hell out of me...because I was afraid you wouldn't want me."
"Buck..." Elizabeth reached up and caressed his cheek with her hand, and Buck brought her palm to his lips. She shivered at the sensation.
Buck closed his eyes, and tried to resist the urge to take her in his arms again. He had to keep going, and tell her the rest. He had to talk about Ike.
"What is it?" Elizabeth asked, trying to keep the worry from her voice.
"I told you I left the Kiowa when I was twelve..."
"Yes," Beth nodded, suddenly feeling butterflies in her stomach.
"I need to tell you why."
"I spent months on my own. I had no idea where Little Bird might be. I figured she was probably dead by then. When I got to the mission, I only intended to stay for a short time."
Beth smiled sadly at her new husband, thinking how alone he must have felt. "You must have loved her a great deal to go searching for her like that."
"She was the only one that I could be myself with." Buck explained.
"I'm sure she felt the same way about you."
Buck glanced at Elizabeth, trying to gage her reaction to his tale. The last thing he wanted to do was upset her.
"Did you ever find out what happened to her?"
"That's what I need to tell you...before you hear it from somebody else...about four years ago, when Kid and I still worked for the Express, she came to visit me, with her fiancé."
Buck paused, and Elizabeth held her breath, knowing that Buck was about to come to the point of his story.
"I kidnapped her too."
Elizabeth swallowed, determined to keep her composure as a thousand different thoughts ran through her head.
"Because you still loved her?"
"Part of me did, but there was something else too..."
Beth listened in silence as Buck talked about his journey with the girl that he had once been so close to, who had returned to him before beginning her life with someone else.
"I know it seems impossible, but I know that White Feather guided me, and helped me to save her."
"I believe you." Beth said simply.
"When it was all over, Little Bird...I mean Camille, told me that what happened that day wasn't my fault. She said maybe it was meant to be that way all along."
"What do you mean?" Beth asked. Without thinking, she reached over to take Buck's hand in hers.
"She said that we were meant to serve in other places, with other people. Now I know she was right."
Elizabeth blushed as Buck's meaning dawned on her.
"This is where I'm meant to be Beth. With you. I knew it almost from the first moment I saw you." Buck looked at her, in that intense way that made her feel like she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
"But if you felt that way...why didn't you say something? Why did you run away when you found out what I'd agreed to with Ethan? I thought I'd never see..."
"Because it scared the hell out of me...because I was afraid you wouldn't want me."
"Buck..." Elizabeth reached up and caressed his cheek with her hand, and Buck brought her palm to his lips. She shivered at the sensation.
Buck closed his eyes, and tried to resist the urge to take her in his arms again. He had to keep going, and tell her the rest. He had to talk about Ike.
Fifty Seven
"There's more Beth..."
"Why do I feel like you're trying to scare me?" Elizabeth asked, feeling bold enough to move closer to Buck under the covers. "I want to know everything about you Buck, but no matter what you tell me, I'm still going to love you."
"I want you to hear these things from me. I don't know what's going to happen when we get back to the ranch. I don't want Jefferson twisting things around..."
"Why would I believe him over you? Especially after what he did all those years ago?"
Buck held up his hand to silence her. "I just need you to listen Beth. Please.”
Beth nodded, and listened quietly as Buck began to talk about Ike. He had told her about Ike before, and she knew enough to know how very close the two men were. They were more like brothers than friends, and Lou had told her briefly how devastated Buck had been when his friend had died suddenly. He had gotten past Ike's death, but had never completely found peace since that day long ago.
"I told myself when I left the Kiowa that it would be better to be alone. That way..." Buck looked away from Beth, still uneasy about revealing such deep feelings. "That way no one else could leave me."
"But when Ike stood with me that day, when those other kids were ganging up on me, we were instant friends."
"Could he speak then?" Beth asked, wondering how a boy who could barely speak English, and another who didn't talk at all, could communicate.
"I taught him sign." Buck laughed suddenly, remembering some of the funny situations that resulted from their struggle to communicate.
"When we found the job with Teaspoon, it seemed we'd finally found somewhere to settle."
"Lou says you had some pretty great times there, even with all the hard work."
"We did." Buck smiled again, as some happy memory came to mind.
"I'd like to hear about them sometime."
Buck looked at his wife, and felt his heart swell. She loved him. He could see it in her eyes.
"You will." Buck let his fingers intertwine with Beth's and brought her hand to his lips for another kiss.
"I'm sorry I never got know him Buck. I know now how much it hurts to lose someone you love." Elizabeth took a deep breath, trying not to get teary as she thought about her father.
"The hardest part about it was...he was so happy. He and Emily would have married. He was so close to getting everything that he wanted. Everything that we all wanted..."
"Emily? Was that her name? Lou told me that he'd been engaged to a girl when he died."
"It wasn't official, but, yes, that was her name."
"What happened? I've never wanted to pry and ask the details...was he ill?"
"Why do I feel like you're trying to scare me?" Elizabeth asked, feeling bold enough to move closer to Buck under the covers. "I want to know everything about you Buck, but no matter what you tell me, I'm still going to love you."
"I want you to hear these things from me. I don't know what's going to happen when we get back to the ranch. I don't want Jefferson twisting things around..."
"Why would I believe him over you? Especially after what he did all those years ago?"
Buck held up his hand to silence her. "I just need you to listen Beth. Please.”
Beth nodded, and listened quietly as Buck began to talk about Ike. He had told her about Ike before, and she knew enough to know how very close the two men were. They were more like brothers than friends, and Lou had told her briefly how devastated Buck had been when his friend had died suddenly. He had gotten past Ike's death, but had never completely found peace since that day long ago.
"I told myself when I left the Kiowa that it would be better to be alone. That way..." Buck looked away from Beth, still uneasy about revealing such deep feelings. "That way no one else could leave me."
"But when Ike stood with me that day, when those other kids were ganging up on me, we were instant friends."
"Could he speak then?" Beth asked, wondering how a boy who could barely speak English, and another who didn't talk at all, could communicate.
"I taught him sign." Buck laughed suddenly, remembering some of the funny situations that resulted from their struggle to communicate.
"When we found the job with Teaspoon, it seemed we'd finally found somewhere to settle."
"Lou says you had some pretty great times there, even with all the hard work."
"We did." Buck smiled again, as some happy memory came to mind.
"I'd like to hear about them sometime."
Buck looked at his wife, and felt his heart swell. She loved him. He could see it in her eyes.
"You will." Buck let his fingers intertwine with Beth's and brought her hand to his lips for another kiss.
"I'm sorry I never got know him Buck. I know now how much it hurts to lose someone you love." Elizabeth took a deep breath, trying not to get teary as she thought about her father.
"The hardest part about it was...he was so happy. He and Emily would have married. He was so close to getting everything that he wanted. Everything that we all wanted..."
"Emily? Was that her name? Lou told me that he'd been engaged to a girl when he died."
"It wasn't official, but, yes, that was her name."
"What happened? I've never wanted to pry and ask the details...was he ill?"
Fifty Eight
"There's more Beth..."
"Why do I feel like you're trying to scare me?" Elizabeth asked, feeling bold enough to move closer to Buck under the covers. "I want to know everything about you Buck, but no matter what you tell me, I'm still going to love you."
"I want you to hear these things from me. I don't know what's going to happen when we get back to the ranch. I don't want Jefferson twisting things around..."
"Why would I believe him over you? Especially after what he did all those years ago?"
Buck held up his hand to silence her. "I just need you to listen Beth. Please.”
Beth nodded, and listened quietly as Buck began to talk about Ike. He had told her about Ike before, and she knew enough to know how very close the two men were. They were more like brothers than friends, and Lou had told her briefly how devastated Buck had been when his friend had died suddenly. He had gotten past Ike's death, but had never completely found peace since that day long ago.
"I told myself when I left the Kiowa that it would be better to be alone. That way..." Buck looked away from Beth, still uneasy about revealing such deep feelings. "That way no one else could leave me."
"But when Ike stood with me that day, when those other kids were ganging up on me, we were instant friends."
"Could he speak then?" Beth asked, wondering how a boy who could barely speak English, and another who didn't talk at all, could communicate.
"I taught him sign." Buck laughed suddenly, remembering some of the funny situations that resulted from their struggle to communicate.
"When we found the job with Teaspoon, it seemed we'd finally found somewhere to settle."
"Lou says you had some pretty great times there, even with all the hard work."
"We did." Buck smiled again, as some happy memory came to mind.
"I'd like to hear about them sometime."
Buck looked at his wife, and felt his heart swell. She loved him. He could see it in her eyes.
"You will." Buck let his fingers intertwine with Beth's and brought her hand to his lips for another kiss.
"I'm sorry I never got know him Buck. I know now how much it hurts to lose someone you love." Elizabeth took a deep breath, trying not to get teary as she thought about her father.
"The hardest part about it was...he was so happy. He and Emily would have married. He was so close to getting everything that he wanted. Everything that we all wanted..."
"Emily? Was that her name? Lou told me that he'd been engaged to a girl when he died."
"It wasn't official, but, yes, that was her name."
"What happened? I've never wanted to pry and ask the details...was he ill?"
"Why do I feel like you're trying to scare me?" Elizabeth asked, feeling bold enough to move closer to Buck under the covers. "I want to know everything about you Buck, but no matter what you tell me, I'm still going to love you."
"I want you to hear these things from me. I don't know what's going to happen when we get back to the ranch. I don't want Jefferson twisting things around..."
"Why would I believe him over you? Especially after what he did all those years ago?"
Buck held up his hand to silence her. "I just need you to listen Beth. Please.”
Beth nodded, and listened quietly as Buck began to talk about Ike. He had told her about Ike before, and she knew enough to know how very close the two men were. They were more like brothers than friends, and Lou had told her briefly how devastated Buck had been when his friend had died suddenly. He had gotten past Ike's death, but had never completely found peace since that day long ago.
"I told myself when I left the Kiowa that it would be better to be alone. That way..." Buck looked away from Beth, still uneasy about revealing such deep feelings. "That way no one else could leave me."
"But when Ike stood with me that day, when those other kids were ganging up on me, we were instant friends."
"Could he speak then?" Beth asked, wondering how a boy who could barely speak English, and another who didn't talk at all, could communicate.
"I taught him sign." Buck laughed suddenly, remembering some of the funny situations that resulted from their struggle to communicate.
"When we found the job with Teaspoon, it seemed we'd finally found somewhere to settle."
"Lou says you had some pretty great times there, even with all the hard work."
"We did." Buck smiled again, as some happy memory came to mind.
"I'd like to hear about them sometime."
Buck looked at his wife, and felt his heart swell. She loved him. He could see it in her eyes.
"You will." Buck let his fingers intertwine with Beth's and brought her hand to his lips for another kiss.
"I'm sorry I never got know him Buck. I know now how much it hurts to lose someone you love." Elizabeth took a deep breath, trying not to get teary as she thought about her father.
"The hardest part about it was...he was so happy. He and Emily would have married. He was so close to getting everything that he wanted. Everything that we all wanted..."
"Emily? Was that her name? Lou told me that he'd been engaged to a girl when he died."
"It wasn't official, but, yes, that was her name."
"What happened? I've never wanted to pry and ask the details...was he ill?"
Fifty Nine
"There's more Beth..."
"Why do I feel like you're trying to scare me?" Elizabeth asked, feeling bold enough to move closer to Buck under the covers. "I want to know everything about you Buck, but no matter what you tell me, I'm still going to love you."
"I want you to hear these things from me. I don't know what's going to happen when we get back to the ranch. I don't want Jefferson twisting things around..."
"Why would I believe him over you? Especially after what he did all those years ago?"
Buck held up his hand to silence her. "I just need you to listen Beth. Please.”
Beth nodded, and listened quietly as Buck began to talk about Ike. He had told her about Ike before, and she knew enough to know how very close the two men were. They were more like brothers than friends, and Lou had told her briefly how devastated Buck had been when his friend had died suddenly. He had gotten past Ike's death, but had never completely found peace since that day long ago.
"I told myself when I left the Kiowa that it would be better to be alone. That way..." Buck looked away from Beth, still uneasy about revealing such deep feelings. "That way no one else could leave me."
"But when Ike stood with me that day, when those other kids were ganging up on me, we were instant friends."
"Could he speak then?" Beth asked, wondering how a boy who could barely speak English, and another who didn't talk at all, could communicate.
"I taught him sign." Buck laughed suddenly, remembering some of the funny situations that resulted from their struggle to communicate.
"When we found the job with Teaspoon, it seemed we'd finally found somewhere to settle."
"Lou says you had some pretty great times there, even with all the hard work."
"We did." Buck smiled again, as some happy memory came to mind.
"I'd like to hear about them sometime."
Buck looked at his wife, and felt his heart swell. She loved him. He could see it in her eyes.
"You will." Buck let his fingers intertwine with Beth's and brought her hand to his lips for another kiss.
"I'm sorry I never got know him Buck. I know now how much it hurts to lose someone you love." Elizabeth took a deep breath, trying not to get teary as she thought about her father.
"The hardest part about it was...he was so happy. He and Emily would have married. He was so close to getting everything that he wanted. Everything that we all wanted..."
"Emily? Was that her name? Lou told me that he'd been engaged to a girl when he died."
"It wasn't official, but, yes, that was her name."
"What happened? I've never wanted to pry and ask the details...was he ill?"
"Why do I feel like you're trying to scare me?" Elizabeth asked, feeling bold enough to move closer to Buck under the covers. "I want to know everything about you Buck, but no matter what you tell me, I'm still going to love you."
"I want you to hear these things from me. I don't know what's going to happen when we get back to the ranch. I don't want Jefferson twisting things around..."
"Why would I believe him over you? Especially after what he did all those years ago?"
Buck held up his hand to silence her. "I just need you to listen Beth. Please.”
Beth nodded, and listened quietly as Buck began to talk about Ike. He had told her about Ike before, and she knew enough to know how very close the two men were. They were more like brothers than friends, and Lou had told her briefly how devastated Buck had been when his friend had died suddenly. He had gotten past Ike's death, but had never completely found peace since that day long ago.
"I told myself when I left the Kiowa that it would be better to be alone. That way..." Buck looked away from Beth, still uneasy about revealing such deep feelings. "That way no one else could leave me."
"But when Ike stood with me that day, when those other kids were ganging up on me, we were instant friends."
"Could he speak then?" Beth asked, wondering how a boy who could barely speak English, and another who didn't talk at all, could communicate.
"I taught him sign." Buck laughed suddenly, remembering some of the funny situations that resulted from their struggle to communicate.
"When we found the job with Teaspoon, it seemed we'd finally found somewhere to settle."
"Lou says you had some pretty great times there, even with all the hard work."
"We did." Buck smiled again, as some happy memory came to mind.
"I'd like to hear about them sometime."
Buck looked at his wife, and felt his heart swell. She loved him. He could see it in her eyes.
"You will." Buck let his fingers intertwine with Beth's and brought her hand to his lips for another kiss.
"I'm sorry I never got know him Buck. I know now how much it hurts to lose someone you love." Elizabeth took a deep breath, trying not to get teary as she thought about her father.
"The hardest part about it was...he was so happy. He and Emily would have married. He was so close to getting everything that he wanted. Everything that we all wanted..."
"Emily? Was that her name? Lou told me that he'd been engaged to a girl when he died."
"It wasn't official, but, yes, that was her name."
"What happened? I've never wanted to pry and ask the details...was he ill?"
Sixty
Ethan Jefferson and his henchmen arrived in Omaha a little after daybreak. They went about asking the people of the city about their Territorial Marshal. They made their way to Marshal Cain's office around lunch time after stopping to have something to eat. Sam was sitting there with Emma having a nice lunch when Ethan Jefferson came waltzing in like he owned the place. Sam knew the instant the man walked into his office that this was the one causing Buck and Elizabeth's problems.
"Marshal Cain I presume" Ethan said in a pompous manner. "My name is Ethan Jefferson and I'm looking for a half breed that kidnapped my fiancé Elizabeth Sturgis out of her bed in the middle of the night. His name is Buck Cross." Ethan spat out his name like it caused an awful taste in his mouth.
Sam set down his coffee cup and sized the man up. He could tell he was calculating and manipulative just by the way he spoke and the way he stood there in front of him and Emma.
“Yeah, I'm Marshal Cain and I think you got things a little backwards. Buck didn't kidnap Elizabeth. She went willingly. Oh yeah and it isn’t Elizabeth Sturgis anymore it's Mrs. Elizabeth Cross. They got married at our house last night. Sorry you couldn't make the festivities.” Sam said with a smug smile. Emma had to hide her smile behind her napkin.
"What do you mean they got married last night? He surely forced her into it. She was supposed to marry me not that thieving savage. I don't believe you. Cross must have her under some heathen Indian spell. She would never marry him in her right mind." Ethan said seething.
"Well Mr. Jefferson is it. I'm Emma Cain and I've known Buck Cross for a number of years. Buck brought Elizabeth to our house. Elizabeth helped me cook supper and I let her wear one of my fancy dresses. They got married by a judge here in Omaha and went to their marriage bed together last night. Elizabeth did everything of her own will. There was no fear in her at all. She was a beautiful and happy bride. They love each other very much. So, I think you have no claim to Mrs. Cross anymore. I'd just leave it be and move on with my life if I was you.” Emma said calmly, but getting her point across.
"When did they leave?" Ethan demanded. He was determined to catch up to them. The problem was once the army Indian scout told them that their tracks led to Omaha, he told him to go back to Fort Laramie because he wanted nothing more to do with what he said was a filthy Indian. Now how would he find them without a tracker to find Buck and Elizabeth's trail that Buck would have obviously covered extremely well.
"They left very early this morning and I'm sure Buck covered his tracks so no one could find them." Sam said to Ethan, who was turning bright red with anger and frustration.
With that said Ethan put his hat on his head and stormed out of Sam's office and went back to the saloon where his men were getting liquored up almost to passing out since they knew that their boss’s fiancée was in Omaha and he wouldn't need them since the law would take care of the half breed. Ethan was not pleased. His men were not ready to ride for another day and a half. By the time they got back on the trail Buck and Elizabeth would back in Rock Creek where everyone would find out that they were married. Ethan would have to make sure that some things came about that would make them annul the marriage or he would take care of the Indian himself.
"Marshal Cain I presume" Ethan said in a pompous manner. "My name is Ethan Jefferson and I'm looking for a half breed that kidnapped my fiancé Elizabeth Sturgis out of her bed in the middle of the night. His name is Buck Cross." Ethan spat out his name like it caused an awful taste in his mouth.
Sam set down his coffee cup and sized the man up. He could tell he was calculating and manipulative just by the way he spoke and the way he stood there in front of him and Emma.
“Yeah, I'm Marshal Cain and I think you got things a little backwards. Buck didn't kidnap Elizabeth. She went willingly. Oh yeah and it isn’t Elizabeth Sturgis anymore it's Mrs. Elizabeth Cross. They got married at our house last night. Sorry you couldn't make the festivities.” Sam said with a smug smile. Emma had to hide her smile behind her napkin.
"What do you mean they got married last night? He surely forced her into it. She was supposed to marry me not that thieving savage. I don't believe you. Cross must have her under some heathen Indian spell. She would never marry him in her right mind." Ethan said seething.
"Well Mr. Jefferson is it. I'm Emma Cain and I've known Buck Cross for a number of years. Buck brought Elizabeth to our house. Elizabeth helped me cook supper and I let her wear one of my fancy dresses. They got married by a judge here in Omaha and went to their marriage bed together last night. Elizabeth did everything of her own will. There was no fear in her at all. She was a beautiful and happy bride. They love each other very much. So, I think you have no claim to Mrs. Cross anymore. I'd just leave it be and move on with my life if I was you.” Emma said calmly, but getting her point across.
"When did they leave?" Ethan demanded. He was determined to catch up to them. The problem was once the army Indian scout told them that their tracks led to Omaha, he told him to go back to Fort Laramie because he wanted nothing more to do with what he said was a filthy Indian. Now how would he find them without a tracker to find Buck and Elizabeth's trail that Buck would have obviously covered extremely well.
"They left very early this morning and I'm sure Buck covered his tracks so no one could find them." Sam said to Ethan, who was turning bright red with anger and frustration.
With that said Ethan put his hat on his head and stormed out of Sam's office and went back to the saloon where his men were getting liquored up almost to passing out since they knew that their boss’s fiancée was in Omaha and he wouldn't need them since the law would take care of the half breed. Ethan was not pleased. His men were not ready to ride for another day and a half. By the time they got back on the trail Buck and Elizabeth would back in Rock Creek where everyone would find out that they were married. Ethan would have to make sure that some things came about that would make them annul the marriage or he would take care of the Indian himself.
Sixty One
Two days after leaving Omaha Buck and Beth arrived at the McCloud Cross Ranch. It was early morning and no one was up yet. Buck tended to the horses. Then led Elizabeth in the back door of Kid and Lou's house. He was surprised to see Lou sitting there with little Moira rocking her to sleep. When they walked in Lou didn't look up.
"I thought it was you two. Do you know how worried we were when you two just disappeared? Your mother has been worried sick. Your brother had to be physically restrained by Kid when he tried to go after you three different times. Noah James has been asking for the two of you for days and Kid knows something but won't say." Lou said in a sharp whisper as not to wake the baby.
"Lou we're sorry. I knew I had to get Beth away from here before she married Ethan. When everybody is up, we have an announcement to make. We'll tell you everything then." Buck said quietly but firmly to make his point.
"I'm just glad you two are safe. I hope the announcement is what I think it is. If it is, I'm very happy for the both of you." Lou said looking up for the first time smiling at them.
Lou went to put Moira down and woke everybody else up. They gathered in the sitting room wondering why Lou had woken them up so early. Just then Buck and Beth walked into the room. Anna suppressed a scream and ran to her daughter hugging her crying into her hair. Zander stood up and lunged at Buck but Kid stopped him before he got to him.
"Elizabeth are you are alright? Did he hurt you? Your room was in shambles. We heard you scream, but we were too late to get to you." Anna said all in one breath.
Before Beth could answer Zander yelled. "You bastard! I'm going to kill you if you hurt my sister!" Beth walked out of her mother’s grasp and went to stand beside Buck taking his hand.
"There's no need to be angry. You all should be happy for us. We got married three days ago." Elizabeth held out her left hand and showed everyone the ring. Anna gasped and Zander looked shocked. Kid went to shake Buck hand and give a kiss to the bride. Anna hugged her daughter. Then kissed Buck on the cheek. Zander hugged his sister and shook Buck's hand a little embarrassed.
Lou walked up to them with a big smile on her face. "Congratulations to both of you." Hugging the both of them and giving each of them a kiss on the cheek.
Beth felt a tug on her skirt and looked down. She saw two big brown eyes looking up at her. It was Noah James. Beth picked him up. "Does this mean you’re my auntie now Miss Beth? I missed you and Uncle Buck so much. Papa had to work with the mean horsies and he's not as good at it as Uncle Buck." The innocent words of a three, year old broke the tension and everyone laughed.
"Yes Noah, I guess I am your auntie now. I'm going to be living on the ranch now with Uncle Buck and he can take care of the mean horsies with your papa again." Elizabeth said giving him a kiss on the cheek.
Buck took Noah from Beth and gave him a kiss. "So, what do you think Noah did I pick a good auntie for you?" Buck asked in mock seriousness.
"You sure did Uncle Buck. Are you going to have a baby like Mama had?" Noah asked curiously.
"Not quite yet Noah. We just got married. It takes some time." Buck said laughing. Putting Noah down and telling him to go play with his toys on the other side of the room.
"Now we need to talk about Ethan and what Zander told us and decide on a plan of action." Buck said in a serious tone.
The adults gathered around as Zander hesitantly repeated what he'd told Kid days earlier.
"I had no idea," said Mrs. Sturgis. She took hold of Elizabeth's hands. "I'm so sorry I almost allowed that, that...monster to marry you."
Elizabeth smiled at her mother. "That's alright, Mama," she said taking her hand away and moving to hug Anna.
Lou looked at Buck. "So, what happens to Mr. Jefferson's plans for the farm now that Elizabeth is married to someone else?"
Buck shrugged. "I don't know," he said. "I was thinking that maybe I should go talk to the banker and see exactly what the arrangement was. Something about the whole thing just doesn't feel right."
Kid nodded. "I agree. I never could figure out why it was any of Mr. James' business who Elizabeth married." He stood. "Buck, why don't you and I go get Teaspoon, and then pay the bank a visit?"
Buck stood also. "I like that idea," he said. He leaned down and kissed Elizabeth tenderly on the cheek. "I'll be back in a few hours. Then we can see about getting you all moved into our home."
Elizabeth smiled up at Buck. She took hold of his hand. "Just promise me you'll be careful," she said. "I'd hate for something to happen to you."
"I'll be fine," Buck said. He leaned in and once more kissed her - this time on the lips with a little more passion. He moved his lips to her cheek, kissed her once more.
"I thought it was you two. Do you know how worried we were when you two just disappeared? Your mother has been worried sick. Your brother had to be physically restrained by Kid when he tried to go after you three different times. Noah James has been asking for the two of you for days and Kid knows something but won't say." Lou said in a sharp whisper as not to wake the baby.
"Lou we're sorry. I knew I had to get Beth away from here before she married Ethan. When everybody is up, we have an announcement to make. We'll tell you everything then." Buck said quietly but firmly to make his point.
"I'm just glad you two are safe. I hope the announcement is what I think it is. If it is, I'm very happy for the both of you." Lou said looking up for the first time smiling at them.
Lou went to put Moira down and woke everybody else up. They gathered in the sitting room wondering why Lou had woken them up so early. Just then Buck and Beth walked into the room. Anna suppressed a scream and ran to her daughter hugging her crying into her hair. Zander stood up and lunged at Buck but Kid stopped him before he got to him.
"Elizabeth are you are alright? Did he hurt you? Your room was in shambles. We heard you scream, but we were too late to get to you." Anna said all in one breath.
Before Beth could answer Zander yelled. "You bastard! I'm going to kill you if you hurt my sister!" Beth walked out of her mother’s grasp and went to stand beside Buck taking his hand.
"There's no need to be angry. You all should be happy for us. We got married three days ago." Elizabeth held out her left hand and showed everyone the ring. Anna gasped and Zander looked shocked. Kid went to shake Buck hand and give a kiss to the bride. Anna hugged her daughter. Then kissed Buck on the cheek. Zander hugged his sister and shook Buck's hand a little embarrassed.
Lou walked up to them with a big smile on her face. "Congratulations to both of you." Hugging the both of them and giving each of them a kiss on the cheek.
Beth felt a tug on her skirt and looked down. She saw two big brown eyes looking up at her. It was Noah James. Beth picked him up. "Does this mean you’re my auntie now Miss Beth? I missed you and Uncle Buck so much. Papa had to work with the mean horsies and he's not as good at it as Uncle Buck." The innocent words of a three, year old broke the tension and everyone laughed.
"Yes Noah, I guess I am your auntie now. I'm going to be living on the ranch now with Uncle Buck and he can take care of the mean horsies with your papa again." Elizabeth said giving him a kiss on the cheek.
Buck took Noah from Beth and gave him a kiss. "So, what do you think Noah did I pick a good auntie for you?" Buck asked in mock seriousness.
"You sure did Uncle Buck. Are you going to have a baby like Mama had?" Noah asked curiously.
"Not quite yet Noah. We just got married. It takes some time." Buck said laughing. Putting Noah down and telling him to go play with his toys on the other side of the room.
"Now we need to talk about Ethan and what Zander told us and decide on a plan of action." Buck said in a serious tone.
The adults gathered around as Zander hesitantly repeated what he'd told Kid days earlier.
"I had no idea," said Mrs. Sturgis. She took hold of Elizabeth's hands. "I'm so sorry I almost allowed that, that...monster to marry you."
Elizabeth smiled at her mother. "That's alright, Mama," she said taking her hand away and moving to hug Anna.
Lou looked at Buck. "So, what happens to Mr. Jefferson's plans for the farm now that Elizabeth is married to someone else?"
Buck shrugged. "I don't know," he said. "I was thinking that maybe I should go talk to the banker and see exactly what the arrangement was. Something about the whole thing just doesn't feel right."
Kid nodded. "I agree. I never could figure out why it was any of Mr. James' business who Elizabeth married." He stood. "Buck, why don't you and I go get Teaspoon, and then pay the bank a visit?"
Buck stood also. "I like that idea," he said. He leaned down and kissed Elizabeth tenderly on the cheek. "I'll be back in a few hours. Then we can see about getting you all moved into our home."
Elizabeth smiled up at Buck. She took hold of his hand. "Just promise me you'll be careful," she said. "I'd hate for something to happen to you."
"I'll be fine," Buck said. He leaned in and once more kissed her - this time on the lips with a little more passion. He moved his lips to her cheek, kissed her once more.
Sixty Two
Buck and Kid went into town and met Teaspoon and told him the news of Buck and Elizabeth's marriage. He was truly happy for the couple. After Buck told Teaspoon what happened with the faux kidnapping and their time in Omaha the three lawmen went over to the bank to have a talk with Mr. James the bank manager.
"Morning Teaspoon, Kid, Buck. What can I do for all of you?" Mr. James said congenially
"Mr. James we came to talk to you about the mortgage on the Sturgis farm. The terms you talked about with Ethan Jefferson including the term that he must marry Elizabeth Sturgis in order to be able to take the mortgage over from the Sturgis family." Buck replied.
"Well Mr. Jefferson did say he would take over the note on the property, but I never said he had to marry the Sturgis girl for him to do it. There was no legal need for a marriage to take place." Mr. James stated slightly alarmed.
"You mean the marriage of Jefferson and Elizabeth to save the farm was a lie?" Buck asked anger building inside him.
"I don't know why Mr. Jefferson would lie about such a thing, but yes, it is a lie." Mr. James said thoroughly confused.
"Thank you, Mr. James for setting that straight." Kid said as they got up to leave.
Once outside the bank Buck was madder than a bear in a hornet’s nest. They decided Teaspoon would go to get Rachel and bring her out to the ranch for a dinner to celebrate Buck and Elizabeth's marriage. Buck would deal with Ethan Jefferson when the time was right.
"Morning Teaspoon, Kid, Buck. What can I do for all of you?" Mr. James said congenially
"Mr. James we came to talk to you about the mortgage on the Sturgis farm. The terms you talked about with Ethan Jefferson including the term that he must marry Elizabeth Sturgis in order to be able to take the mortgage over from the Sturgis family." Buck replied.
"Well Mr. Jefferson did say he would take over the note on the property, but I never said he had to marry the Sturgis girl for him to do it. There was no legal need for a marriage to take place." Mr. James stated slightly alarmed.
"You mean the marriage of Jefferson and Elizabeth to save the farm was a lie?" Buck asked anger building inside him.
"I don't know why Mr. Jefferson would lie about such a thing, but yes, it is a lie." Mr. James said thoroughly confused.
"Thank you, Mr. James for setting that straight." Kid said as they got up to leave.
Once outside the bank Buck was madder than a bear in a hornet’s nest. They decided Teaspoon would go to get Rachel and bring her out to the ranch for a dinner to celebrate Buck and Elizabeth's marriage. Buck would deal with Ethan Jefferson when the time was right.
Sixty Three
Buck and Kid made it back to the ranch to find two of Ethan Jefferson's henchmen standing in front of the house like sentinels. Kid and Buck quickly drew their guns and took the men by surprise. They told them to get off their land because the marshal was on his way and he'd have them arrested for trespassing. The men left quickly. Buck and Kid made their way to the back door and heard Ethan yelling.
"You little slut! You went and married that filthy half-breed instead of marrying me. I should beat you within an inch of your life for that. You're, mine Elizabeth not some uneducated heathen Indians who forced you out of your bed in the middle of the night and made you marry him. Get your things we'll have this whole thing annulled in a matter of a few days and then we can be married." Ethan bellowed as he went to grab Elizabeth by the arm.
"I'm not going with you, you pig! I'm married to the man I love and there's nothing you can do about it." Elizabeth yelled as she tried to get out of Ethan's strong grasp.
Ethan raised his hand to hit Elizabeth, but stopped when he heard two guns cocked behind him. He whirled around never letting go of Elizabeth's arm. She winced at the pain.
"Let her go Jefferson if you value your life." Buck said in a low growl. Ethan immediately let go of Elizabeth's arm. He stared daggers at Buck and Kid. "Beth are you alright?" Buck asked concerned for his wife.
"I'm fine Buck. Could you get this scum out of here? I think I'll be sick if he is in my presence any longer." Beth said to Buck grateful that he was back from town.
"Kid what do you say we walk Mr. Jefferson to his horse and have a little talk with him." Buck asked angrily.
“I say we do just that. After you Mr. Jefferson.” Kid said giving Lou, Noah and Moira all a kiss on the head.
“We’ll be right back. You all stay in here.” Buck said giving Beth a quick kiss. Ethan was seething when he saw this.
Buck pushed Ethan out the front door. When they got outside Buck got up in Ethan’s face and said in a low venomous voice. “You were going to marry Beth and it was all a lie. Get out of here Jefferson before I do something I'll regret." Buck pushed Ethan towards his horse. Ethan had never seen this side of Buck and was quite surprised that he got this angry. He now knew he shouldn't underestimate this man. Not in the least.
Buck gathered everyone in the sitting room and told them that Ethan was lying about Beth having to marry him to save the farm. Everyone was shocked, but they figured he had a reason to marry Elizabeth and they were happy it didn't happen.
Teaspoon and Rachel arrived. The women, except for Beth who was one of the guests of honor, started making a celebratory dinner. While it was cooking Buck and Beth went for a walk around the ranch.
"Did he hurt you?" Buck asked trying to keep his cool over Ethan harming his wife.
"No, not really. It’s just a little sore. He was really angry, Buck. Do you think he'll try something again?" Beth asked with concern in her voice.
"I don't know, Beth. He could. We'll just have to be extra careful." Buck replied looking deep into Beth's dark blue eyes. He lowered his head and kissed Beth with a passion he never knew he had. Buck ran his tongue over Beth's lips. She opened them to allow his tongue to tangle with hers. She kissed him like she had never kissed him before. They were in one of the meadows that wasn't being used that year as grazing land. It had soft grass growing upon it. Buck lowered Beth down into the grass as the kiss intensified. Buck moved his hands to the buttons on Beth's blouse. Beth was scared, but she really wanted to become one with her husband. Beth was unbuttoning Buck's shirt as they began to kiss feverishly. All of a sudden, they heard their names being called by Zander. Buck looked up and saw the boy coming towards them from across the meadow.
"We'll finish this later." Buck said buttoning up Beth's blouse then his own shirt. Buck stood up and said. "What is it Zander?"
"Dinner's ready. Mrs. Dunne told me to come get you before it gets cold," Zander said knowing full well what they had been doing.
"We're on our way Zander. We'll catch up in a minute." Beth said. Zander turned back towards the house as they got up off the ground. Beth gave Buck a toe, curling kiss and ran after her brother with Buck in hot pursuit.
"You little slut! You went and married that filthy half-breed instead of marrying me. I should beat you within an inch of your life for that. You're, mine Elizabeth not some uneducated heathen Indians who forced you out of your bed in the middle of the night and made you marry him. Get your things we'll have this whole thing annulled in a matter of a few days and then we can be married." Ethan bellowed as he went to grab Elizabeth by the arm.
"I'm not going with you, you pig! I'm married to the man I love and there's nothing you can do about it." Elizabeth yelled as she tried to get out of Ethan's strong grasp.
Ethan raised his hand to hit Elizabeth, but stopped when he heard two guns cocked behind him. He whirled around never letting go of Elizabeth's arm. She winced at the pain.
"Let her go Jefferson if you value your life." Buck said in a low growl. Ethan immediately let go of Elizabeth's arm. He stared daggers at Buck and Kid. "Beth are you alright?" Buck asked concerned for his wife.
"I'm fine Buck. Could you get this scum out of here? I think I'll be sick if he is in my presence any longer." Beth said to Buck grateful that he was back from town.
"Kid what do you say we walk Mr. Jefferson to his horse and have a little talk with him." Buck asked angrily.
“I say we do just that. After you Mr. Jefferson.” Kid said giving Lou, Noah and Moira all a kiss on the head.
“We’ll be right back. You all stay in here.” Buck said giving Beth a quick kiss. Ethan was seething when he saw this.
Buck pushed Ethan out the front door. When they got outside Buck got up in Ethan’s face and said in a low venomous voice. “You were going to marry Beth and it was all a lie. Get out of here Jefferson before I do something I'll regret." Buck pushed Ethan towards his horse. Ethan had never seen this side of Buck and was quite surprised that he got this angry. He now knew he shouldn't underestimate this man. Not in the least.
Buck gathered everyone in the sitting room and told them that Ethan was lying about Beth having to marry him to save the farm. Everyone was shocked, but they figured he had a reason to marry Elizabeth and they were happy it didn't happen.
Teaspoon and Rachel arrived. The women, except for Beth who was one of the guests of honor, started making a celebratory dinner. While it was cooking Buck and Beth went for a walk around the ranch.
"Did he hurt you?" Buck asked trying to keep his cool over Ethan harming his wife.
"No, not really. It’s just a little sore. He was really angry, Buck. Do you think he'll try something again?" Beth asked with concern in her voice.
"I don't know, Beth. He could. We'll just have to be extra careful." Buck replied looking deep into Beth's dark blue eyes. He lowered his head and kissed Beth with a passion he never knew he had. Buck ran his tongue over Beth's lips. She opened them to allow his tongue to tangle with hers. She kissed him like she had never kissed him before. They were in one of the meadows that wasn't being used that year as grazing land. It had soft grass growing upon it. Buck lowered Beth down into the grass as the kiss intensified. Buck moved his hands to the buttons on Beth's blouse. Beth was scared, but she really wanted to become one with her husband. Beth was unbuttoning Buck's shirt as they began to kiss feverishly. All of a sudden, they heard their names being called by Zander. Buck looked up and saw the boy coming towards them from across the meadow.
"We'll finish this later." Buck said buttoning up Beth's blouse then his own shirt. Buck stood up and said. "What is it Zander?"
"Dinner's ready. Mrs. Dunne told me to come get you before it gets cold," Zander said knowing full well what they had been doing.
"We're on our way Zander. We'll catch up in a minute." Beth said. Zander turned back towards the house as they got up off the ground. Beth gave Buck a toe, curling kiss and ran after her brother with Buck in hot pursuit.
Sixty Four
Since Anna and Zander had lost the farm to the bank on failure to pay their mortgage it was decided that Buck, Kid and Teaspoon with Zander's help would build a small house on the ranch land for Anna and Zander to live in. Meanwhile they would be staying at Buck and Beth's for a while until the house was built.
After everybody was moved in, they all retired to bed. They were all so tired that all they wanted to do was sleep. Buck, he had other ideas.
"Beth, I want you so much. Do you think you're ready to make love to me?" Buck asked in a husky whisper.
"Buck I can't. My mother and brother are just down the hall and I don't think I'm ready yet. I want to wait until the time is right." Beth said in a nervous voice.
"That's okay Beth. I understand. We'll wait until you're totally ready." Buck said a bit frustrated. With that said they went to sleep holding each other.
The next morning Buck and Beth woke up holding one another. "How was your first night in our home, sweetie." Buck asked Beth as he gave her a very heated kiss.
"Better than I thought it would be." Beth said hugging her husband. Beth now was not afraid to get dressed in front of Buck but still turned away from him if he was looking. Buck got dressed and pulled Beth to him as he kissed her deeply. "We better get move on if you are going to get your chores done in time for breakfast and I have to get over to Kid and Lou's to help out with my favorite niece and nephew." Beth stated trying to hurry Buck in his getting ready.
"Yes boss. I'll be down in a minute." Buck said jokingly. As he hurried to get himself together.
As Beth came downstairs, she heard her mother and brother talking and smelled coffee brewing. "Mama you didn't have to start breakfast. I would have done it." Beth said a little exasperated that her mother wouldn't let her make breakfast the first time in her own house.
"Oh, I'm sorry Elizabeth. I just thought I would start the coffee. You can do the rest." Anna replied a little embarrassed that she didn't think this would be a big deal to Elizabeth living in her own house. Elizabeth started cooking breakfast for her husband, mother and brother.
Buck came downstairs just as Beth was setting things on the table. “Something smells good." Buck said sitting down at the table and tucking a napkin in his shirt.
"I made flapjacks because I know they're your favorite. There's coffee, eggs and bacon if you want it." Beth said smiling.
"I'll have some of everything." Buck said taking his overloaded plate from Beth and started eating. "This is delicious, Sweetheart. I don't think I've eaten this good since Emma and Rachel cooked for the express. That is until you started working at Kid and Lou's." Buck said between mouthfuls.
"Buck, don't eat so fast you'll get sick." Beth reprimanded as she handed a plate to her mother and Zander. Turning to make up a plate for herself.
"I'm fine. I just have to get to work. I've missed a lot and have a black mustang to break this morning. I'll be fine." Buck said as he hurried through breakfast. He finished in record time and was giving his wife a kiss and telling Anna and Zander that he'd see them later. Then he was out the door.
"Well I hope he got to taste it as he wolfed it down." Said Beth a little downhearted.
Buck made his way out to the barn to help Kid with the chores. A few minutes later Beth was on her way over to see Lou and her niece and nephew. Lou was sitting on the porch taking advantage of being out of bed after her long bed rest because of her delicate pregnancy. Noah was playing with his train set in front of the porch steps. Noah looked up and saw Beth walking towards the house jumped up and ran to his new auntie like a charging bull.
"Auntie Beth! Auntie Beth!" Noah yelled as he practically flew into her arms. "I knew you would come today! I just knew it. Does this mean we can play together again? You have to meet my baby sister Moorya." Noah James mouth went so fast Elizabeth almost didn't catch it all. She smiled as he mispronounced his sister's name.
"I would love to meet Moira.” Beth said picking up Noah and setting him on her hip. "Boy you got big since I was away." Beth said in mock surprise. Noah James hugged her with all his might.
"I have been getting bigger. I've been eating all my begabaddles and pertaters. Mama say's I'm going to be big as papa when I get older if I keep eating them." Noah said as he puffed out his chest.
"We have to work on the right way to say his sister's name. I think he'll get it in time though. It's great to see you Lizbeth. How are things at the Crosses?" Lou said wondering if they had consummated their marriage yet. Buck had told Kid yesterday that they were waiting until Elizabeth was ready.
"Things are going well. It's kind of hard having my mother and brother there. Buck and I haven't been able to 'you know' together. I'm just not ready yet. I think I will be soon, but I'm not sure when. I hate to keep Buck waiting. He's being very understanding. He's so patient and caring. I hate to think I'm depriving him of his marriage bed." Beth stated sadly. "Can I hold the baby?" Elizabeth asked trying to change the subject.
"Yes, you may hold Moira." Lou said handing the infant to Elizabeth. "First off I'm glad things are going well. I know having your mother and brother there is going to be stressful on a new marriage. About 'you know'. Buck is the most patient man I have ever met. He is also very understanding and he would never rush you into anything. I bet you he's just happy holding you at night and kissing you silly. Your confidence will come. One day you'll just know it the time to 'you know' and it will happen. Buck would die before hurting you." Lou said knowingly.
After everybody was moved in, they all retired to bed. They were all so tired that all they wanted to do was sleep. Buck, he had other ideas.
"Beth, I want you so much. Do you think you're ready to make love to me?" Buck asked in a husky whisper.
"Buck I can't. My mother and brother are just down the hall and I don't think I'm ready yet. I want to wait until the time is right." Beth said in a nervous voice.
"That's okay Beth. I understand. We'll wait until you're totally ready." Buck said a bit frustrated. With that said they went to sleep holding each other.
The next morning Buck and Beth woke up holding one another. "How was your first night in our home, sweetie." Buck asked Beth as he gave her a very heated kiss.
"Better than I thought it would be." Beth said hugging her husband. Beth now was not afraid to get dressed in front of Buck but still turned away from him if he was looking. Buck got dressed and pulled Beth to him as he kissed her deeply. "We better get move on if you are going to get your chores done in time for breakfast and I have to get over to Kid and Lou's to help out with my favorite niece and nephew." Beth stated trying to hurry Buck in his getting ready.
"Yes boss. I'll be down in a minute." Buck said jokingly. As he hurried to get himself together.
As Beth came downstairs, she heard her mother and brother talking and smelled coffee brewing. "Mama you didn't have to start breakfast. I would have done it." Beth said a little exasperated that her mother wouldn't let her make breakfast the first time in her own house.
"Oh, I'm sorry Elizabeth. I just thought I would start the coffee. You can do the rest." Anna replied a little embarrassed that she didn't think this would be a big deal to Elizabeth living in her own house. Elizabeth started cooking breakfast for her husband, mother and brother.
Buck came downstairs just as Beth was setting things on the table. “Something smells good." Buck said sitting down at the table and tucking a napkin in his shirt.
"I made flapjacks because I know they're your favorite. There's coffee, eggs and bacon if you want it." Beth said smiling.
"I'll have some of everything." Buck said taking his overloaded plate from Beth and started eating. "This is delicious, Sweetheart. I don't think I've eaten this good since Emma and Rachel cooked for the express. That is until you started working at Kid and Lou's." Buck said between mouthfuls.
"Buck, don't eat so fast you'll get sick." Beth reprimanded as she handed a plate to her mother and Zander. Turning to make up a plate for herself.
"I'm fine. I just have to get to work. I've missed a lot and have a black mustang to break this morning. I'll be fine." Buck said as he hurried through breakfast. He finished in record time and was giving his wife a kiss and telling Anna and Zander that he'd see them later. Then he was out the door.
"Well I hope he got to taste it as he wolfed it down." Said Beth a little downhearted.
Buck made his way out to the barn to help Kid with the chores. A few minutes later Beth was on her way over to see Lou and her niece and nephew. Lou was sitting on the porch taking advantage of being out of bed after her long bed rest because of her delicate pregnancy. Noah was playing with his train set in front of the porch steps. Noah looked up and saw Beth walking towards the house jumped up and ran to his new auntie like a charging bull.
"Auntie Beth! Auntie Beth!" Noah yelled as he practically flew into her arms. "I knew you would come today! I just knew it. Does this mean we can play together again? You have to meet my baby sister Moorya." Noah James mouth went so fast Elizabeth almost didn't catch it all. She smiled as he mispronounced his sister's name.
"I would love to meet Moira.” Beth said picking up Noah and setting him on her hip. "Boy you got big since I was away." Beth said in mock surprise. Noah James hugged her with all his might.
"I have been getting bigger. I've been eating all my begabaddles and pertaters. Mama say's I'm going to be big as papa when I get older if I keep eating them." Noah said as he puffed out his chest.
"We have to work on the right way to say his sister's name. I think he'll get it in time though. It's great to see you Lizbeth. How are things at the Crosses?" Lou said wondering if they had consummated their marriage yet. Buck had told Kid yesterday that they were waiting until Elizabeth was ready.
"Things are going well. It's kind of hard having my mother and brother there. Buck and I haven't been able to 'you know' together. I'm just not ready yet. I think I will be soon, but I'm not sure when. I hate to keep Buck waiting. He's being very understanding. He's so patient and caring. I hate to think I'm depriving him of his marriage bed." Beth stated sadly. "Can I hold the baby?" Elizabeth asked trying to change the subject.
"Yes, you may hold Moira." Lou said handing the infant to Elizabeth. "First off I'm glad things are going well. I know having your mother and brother there is going to be stressful on a new marriage. About 'you know'. Buck is the most patient man I have ever met. He is also very understanding and he would never rush you into anything. I bet you he's just happy holding you at night and kissing you silly. Your confidence will come. One day you'll just know it the time to 'you know' and it will happen. Buck would die before hurting you." Lou said knowingly.
Sixty Five
Just as Beth was handing little Moira back to Lou, she heard Buck yell and heard a sickening thud. Beth got up and ran to the corral. She screamed when she saw Buck lying on his back on the ground. Kid had gotten hold of the black mustang and had led it into the adjoining paddock. Elizabeth crawled over the corral gate and was at Buck's side immediately.
"Buck can you hear me." Beth cried thinking he was dead.
Buck had gotten the wind knocked out of him and when he could finally move and speak, he groaned in pain. "AHHH!" Buck yelled as he started to move. He instantly regretted moving so quickly.
"Buck what hurts is it your back or your ribs." Beth asked relieved that Buck was alive.
"My back. AHHH!" Buck yelled when Beth went to look at his back. "Don't touch it!” Buck snapped at Beth. He was sorry he snapped at Beth when she started to cry. She got up and walked over to the corral gate and ran to their house. "Beth Wait! I'm sor... AHHHH!" Buck yelled after Beth but pain went through his back and he couldn't speak any longer.
Kid was at his side. "Buck, we have to get you inside and get the doc to look at you to see if there's anything broken." Kid stated to Buck who was silently berating himself for snapping at Beth. Zander had come out to see what was going on and came into the corral to see if Buck was alright. "Zander can you go get a plank from the side of the barn where we were working on the side door and bring it here." Kid asked thinking they could get Buck on it and carry him to his house.
"Sure, thing Kid." Zander yelled over his shoulder as he ran to the barn. Zander was back in two, minutes with the widest plank he could find and brought it over to Kid.
"Buck do you think you can roll over on your side so we can get this board underneath you?" Kid asked. Buck just groaned and rolled over with many guttural moans. "Okay Zander let's slide it under him." Kid told Zander. Once Buck was on the board Kid had to figure out how he was going to get Buck into the house. He couldn't ask Louise to help because she had just given birth and he didn't want to hurt her in any way. Elizabeth was in no condition to help them and Anna was not as young as she used to be and he thought it would harm her if she helped besides, she was very small. Then he looked at Zander who was very tall for his age and seemed to have muscle on him form working on the farm every day. "Zander do you think you can help me carry Buck up into his house and into his bedroom." Kid asked the thirteen, year old boy who was quickly becoming a man.
"Sure, Kid I lifted more than that when we were on the farm with no help." Zander answered eager to help.
"Okay on three. One... Two... Three." They lifted Buck on the plank with ease and started carrying him the short distance to his house. Buck groaned, moaned and let out the occasional grunt as they took him up to his bedroom. Elizabeth had taken the pillows and blankets off the bed. They got Buck onto the bed and Elizabeth started to undress him to many grunts and groans. Zander rode into town to get the doctor. Beth tried to make Buck comfortable.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you Beth." Buck got out between groans.
"I know you didn't mean to Buck. I know you’re in pain. I guess everything over the past few weeks just caught up to me and I needed to cry. You snapping at me was a good excuse to let everything out.” Beth replied smiling down at her husband.
The doctor arrived and examined Buck. "He's bruised a couple of ribs and pulled several muscles. He'll need to be massaged 4 times a day with the salve I'm leaving. He should be fine in a week or so. Congratulations on your marriage Mrs. Cross." The doctor told Beth.
"Buck you were very lucky. You could have hurt your back like my father did and be in bed for months." Beth scolded him. "You’re not to get out of this bed for a week. I don't want to hear any reason why you should get out of that bed unless the house is on fire. Do you understand? This is for your own good. The Doc left some salve for your back. I can put some on for you if you like and massage your back. Doc said I have to do it four times a day. So, roll over onto your stomach and I'll give you your massage." Beth said with a stern look on her face.
"Yes ma'am." Buck said obediently as not to anger his wife any more. Buck was happy that he was going to be massaged by his wife, but wasn't sure he could control the thoughts he had going on in his mind about the massages and where they could take them when he was well enough.
Beth was massaging Buck's back and it was doing wonders. Then things went bad from there.
"Buck I really don't think you should be breaking the horses all the time. You could get really hurt maybe even killed. I don't want you to do it anymore. Maybe you and Kid can hire someone else to do it for you." Beth said concerned about Buck's well, being.
"What? Are you kidding me? Beth that's our livelihood. We can't rely on other people to do our work for us. Any way we can't afford to pay anybody else to do work around here." Buck said flabbergasted.
“Well, you could use the money Kid and Lou were paying me for helping with the house and Noah. I'm sure Louise will agree. I just don't want to see either of you hurt. Okay now that that's solved what do you want for supper." Beth asked totally oblivious that Buck was angry that Beth would suggest such a thing.
"Beth!" Buck bellowed "We can't just tell Kid and Lou to hire someone with the money they were paying you for someone else to do our work. That was Kid and Louise's money that they themselves saved. Plus, what you were making would only pay half of what a ranch hand would be paid. I can't believe you." Buck said in a raised voice.
"Fine you don't want to do this for me then you will be sleeping alone and I will only come in to bring you your food. I'll ask my mother to give you your massages or I could ask Zander or Louise. Other than that, you won't see me. See how you like that." Beth knew she was making things worse and she knew they couldn't afford a ranch hand, but she didn't like the way Buck had spoken to her and she was angry at him for getting hurt. She got up and left the room slamming the door.
"Beth! Beth! Wait. I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell at you. Please come back." Buck yelled to her as he tried to get up but only fell back down on the bed. He was in the doghouse now. He wasn’t sleeping on the couch like Kid had in the past, but he would be sleeping alone and his mother-in-law would be giving him massages. He let out a big sigh trying to figure out how he could fix things with his wife.
"Buck can you hear me." Beth cried thinking he was dead.
Buck had gotten the wind knocked out of him and when he could finally move and speak, he groaned in pain. "AHHH!" Buck yelled as he started to move. He instantly regretted moving so quickly.
"Buck what hurts is it your back or your ribs." Beth asked relieved that Buck was alive.
"My back. AHHH!" Buck yelled when Beth went to look at his back. "Don't touch it!” Buck snapped at Beth. He was sorry he snapped at Beth when she started to cry. She got up and walked over to the corral gate and ran to their house. "Beth Wait! I'm sor... AHHHH!" Buck yelled after Beth but pain went through his back and he couldn't speak any longer.
Kid was at his side. "Buck, we have to get you inside and get the doc to look at you to see if there's anything broken." Kid stated to Buck who was silently berating himself for snapping at Beth. Zander had come out to see what was going on and came into the corral to see if Buck was alright. "Zander can you go get a plank from the side of the barn where we were working on the side door and bring it here." Kid asked thinking they could get Buck on it and carry him to his house.
"Sure, thing Kid." Zander yelled over his shoulder as he ran to the barn. Zander was back in two, minutes with the widest plank he could find and brought it over to Kid.
"Buck do you think you can roll over on your side so we can get this board underneath you?" Kid asked. Buck just groaned and rolled over with many guttural moans. "Okay Zander let's slide it under him." Kid told Zander. Once Buck was on the board Kid had to figure out how he was going to get Buck into the house. He couldn't ask Louise to help because she had just given birth and he didn't want to hurt her in any way. Elizabeth was in no condition to help them and Anna was not as young as she used to be and he thought it would harm her if she helped besides, she was very small. Then he looked at Zander who was very tall for his age and seemed to have muscle on him form working on the farm every day. "Zander do you think you can help me carry Buck up into his house and into his bedroom." Kid asked the thirteen, year old boy who was quickly becoming a man.
"Sure, Kid I lifted more than that when we were on the farm with no help." Zander answered eager to help.
"Okay on three. One... Two... Three." They lifted Buck on the plank with ease and started carrying him the short distance to his house. Buck groaned, moaned and let out the occasional grunt as they took him up to his bedroom. Elizabeth had taken the pillows and blankets off the bed. They got Buck onto the bed and Elizabeth started to undress him to many grunts and groans. Zander rode into town to get the doctor. Beth tried to make Buck comfortable.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you Beth." Buck got out between groans.
"I know you didn't mean to Buck. I know you’re in pain. I guess everything over the past few weeks just caught up to me and I needed to cry. You snapping at me was a good excuse to let everything out.” Beth replied smiling down at her husband.
The doctor arrived and examined Buck. "He's bruised a couple of ribs and pulled several muscles. He'll need to be massaged 4 times a day with the salve I'm leaving. He should be fine in a week or so. Congratulations on your marriage Mrs. Cross." The doctor told Beth.
"Buck you were very lucky. You could have hurt your back like my father did and be in bed for months." Beth scolded him. "You’re not to get out of this bed for a week. I don't want to hear any reason why you should get out of that bed unless the house is on fire. Do you understand? This is for your own good. The Doc left some salve for your back. I can put some on for you if you like and massage your back. Doc said I have to do it four times a day. So, roll over onto your stomach and I'll give you your massage." Beth said with a stern look on her face.
"Yes ma'am." Buck said obediently as not to anger his wife any more. Buck was happy that he was going to be massaged by his wife, but wasn't sure he could control the thoughts he had going on in his mind about the massages and where they could take them when he was well enough.
Beth was massaging Buck's back and it was doing wonders. Then things went bad from there.
"Buck I really don't think you should be breaking the horses all the time. You could get really hurt maybe even killed. I don't want you to do it anymore. Maybe you and Kid can hire someone else to do it for you." Beth said concerned about Buck's well, being.
"What? Are you kidding me? Beth that's our livelihood. We can't rely on other people to do our work for us. Any way we can't afford to pay anybody else to do work around here." Buck said flabbergasted.
“Well, you could use the money Kid and Lou were paying me for helping with the house and Noah. I'm sure Louise will agree. I just don't want to see either of you hurt. Okay now that that's solved what do you want for supper." Beth asked totally oblivious that Buck was angry that Beth would suggest such a thing.
"Beth!" Buck bellowed "We can't just tell Kid and Lou to hire someone with the money they were paying you for someone else to do our work. That was Kid and Louise's money that they themselves saved. Plus, what you were making would only pay half of what a ranch hand would be paid. I can't believe you." Buck said in a raised voice.
"Fine you don't want to do this for me then you will be sleeping alone and I will only come in to bring you your food. I'll ask my mother to give you your massages or I could ask Zander or Louise. Other than that, you won't see me. See how you like that." Beth knew she was making things worse and she knew they couldn't afford a ranch hand, but she didn't like the way Buck had spoken to her and she was angry at him for getting hurt. She got up and left the room slamming the door.
"Beth! Beth! Wait. I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell at you. Please come back." Buck yelled to her as he tried to get up but only fell back down on the bed. He was in the doghouse now. He wasn’t sleeping on the couch like Kid had in the past, but he would be sleeping alone and his mother-in-law would be giving him massages. He let out a big sigh trying to figure out how he could fix things with his wife.
Sixty Six
After a good cry Beth felt awful about what she said to Buck and wanted to go apologize. Kid was over visiting Buck in their bedroom. Elizabeth went to the door about to knock on it when she heard Buck's voice.
"Can you believe she said that? She actually wants us to stop breaking the horses and hire someone to do it for us. I told her that we didn't have the money to pay for ranch hand. Then she said we could use the money you were paying her to pay the ranch hand. What she was making was only half of what a ranch hand would make and it was the money you and Lou saved for a long time. I truly love her, but she has this stubborn streak in her like her father. She actually said that her mother would be coming in to massage my back because there was no way she was doing it now. This fight was worse than the one we had in town about Jenny Tompkins and during that fight she slapped me. I know I yelled at her. I hate the fact that I made her cry yet again. I guess this whole situation with her mother and brother being here is putting a damper on our married needs. She still won't be with me. It's getting frustrating, but I'm patient enough to wait until she's ready. Kid was it this hard for you and Lou in the beginning" Buck ranted to Kid who was just sitting there with a knowing half smile on his face.
Just then Buck heard a floor board creek. Before Kid could answer Buck called out. "Beth honey is that you? Please come in. I'm sorry I yelled at you. You're right I need to be more careful." Beth stood there for a moment and then opened the door and looked in.
"How are you feeling? Do you need anything?" Beth asked Buck in the timid voice she used to have before she came to live on the ranch.
"I'm doing okay I guess, but having you in here would make me a whole lot happier. Beth sweetheart I'm so sorry I yelled at you. I guess the pain was getting to me, but that's no excuse. I'll try to be more like my old self from now on." Buck said sincerely. "Come sit with me. Please?" He asked Beth unsure of what would happen next.
Beth walked over to the bed and sat down on the very edge of the bed. "I guess I better get back to Lou and the kids. I'll see you both later." Kid said and took his leave.
Buck moved over so Beth could lie down next to him. "Beth please say something, anything." Buck asked desperate for her to say something.
Once Buck said this Beth began to cry as she lied down next to her husband. Buck took her in his arms and kissed her forehead. "Beth it's alright. I'm not mad anymore." Buck said soothingly.
When Beth calmed down enough to speak, she half whispered. "Buck I could have lost you today. I was so scared more scared than I've ever been in my life. I don't know what I'd do if you died. I love you so much." Beth sobbed.
"Beth my love, I only fell off because I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing and also I wasn't holding on as tight as I should. Kid had said something about the horse and it got me thinking and I lost my concentration. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again. I'm not going anywhere for a very long, long time. We're going to grow old together with our children and grandchildren around us. Maybe even some great-grandchildren." Buck said smiling down at his wife who was the center of his world.
"That's just it" Beth sobbed. "What if I'm never ready to make love to you? We won't have any children or grandchildren. I've failed you as a wife." Beth said crying into Buck's shoulder.
"Shhh, Beth I don't want you to say that again you have not failed me as a wife and you never will. You'll be ready in time. We really didn't have a proper courtship. I kidnapped you to go get married. You didn't know I was going to do that. You were taken by surprise. Most women have month or years to be engaged and they prepare themselves for the wedding night. Ours was at Sam's and Emma's. It was awkward. I understand that. You need time to adjust to everything. This is a very different life than what you were leading before we got married. Don't worry about me. I can wait as long as it takes. I'm just happy I get to hold you every night and kiss you silly." Buck said kissing Beth and tickling her side.
Beth stopped sobbing and started giggling. She then remembered that Buck was hurt and stopped squirming around. "Do you need a back massage oh husband of mine?" Beth asked smiling now that she knew Buck understood about everything that was on her mind.
"That would be wonderful if it is given by my gorgeous wife." Buck said lovingly.
"Turn over on your stomach and I'll make it feel better." Beth said as she got the salve to put on Buck's back. Beth started to rub the salve into her husband's sore back as she was rubbing his muscles Buck began to moan. "Am I hurting you Buck?" Elizabeth asked afraid she had hurt him more than when he was first injured.
"Mmmmm. No that feels great. Can you do it some more?" Buck said half asleep. The more Beth rubbed the sleepier Buck got until he was snoring lying on his stomach with a pillow under his head.
"Well I guess you needed to relax" Beth said quietly as she covered Buck up with the sheet and quilt and kissed him on the head. "Have a good nap my love." Beth said as she went out the door shutting it behind her. As Elizabeth made her way downstairs, she thought to herself. 'I'm glad I lived in a house where Papa snored like a grizzly bear because I don't know if I could sleep well with Buck's snoring, but I would sure try. I'm such a lucky woman to have such a caring understanding husband.' Beth made her way into the kitchen to prepare supper.
"Can you believe she said that? She actually wants us to stop breaking the horses and hire someone to do it for us. I told her that we didn't have the money to pay for ranch hand. Then she said we could use the money you were paying her to pay the ranch hand. What she was making was only half of what a ranch hand would make and it was the money you and Lou saved for a long time. I truly love her, but she has this stubborn streak in her like her father. She actually said that her mother would be coming in to massage my back because there was no way she was doing it now. This fight was worse than the one we had in town about Jenny Tompkins and during that fight she slapped me. I know I yelled at her. I hate the fact that I made her cry yet again. I guess this whole situation with her mother and brother being here is putting a damper on our married needs. She still won't be with me. It's getting frustrating, but I'm patient enough to wait until she's ready. Kid was it this hard for you and Lou in the beginning" Buck ranted to Kid who was just sitting there with a knowing half smile on his face.
Just then Buck heard a floor board creek. Before Kid could answer Buck called out. "Beth honey is that you? Please come in. I'm sorry I yelled at you. You're right I need to be more careful." Beth stood there for a moment and then opened the door and looked in.
"How are you feeling? Do you need anything?" Beth asked Buck in the timid voice she used to have before she came to live on the ranch.
"I'm doing okay I guess, but having you in here would make me a whole lot happier. Beth sweetheart I'm so sorry I yelled at you. I guess the pain was getting to me, but that's no excuse. I'll try to be more like my old self from now on." Buck said sincerely. "Come sit with me. Please?" He asked Beth unsure of what would happen next.
Beth walked over to the bed and sat down on the very edge of the bed. "I guess I better get back to Lou and the kids. I'll see you both later." Kid said and took his leave.
Buck moved over so Beth could lie down next to him. "Beth please say something, anything." Buck asked desperate for her to say something.
Once Buck said this Beth began to cry as she lied down next to her husband. Buck took her in his arms and kissed her forehead. "Beth it's alright. I'm not mad anymore." Buck said soothingly.
When Beth calmed down enough to speak, she half whispered. "Buck I could have lost you today. I was so scared more scared than I've ever been in my life. I don't know what I'd do if you died. I love you so much." Beth sobbed.
"Beth my love, I only fell off because I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing and also I wasn't holding on as tight as I should. Kid had said something about the horse and it got me thinking and I lost my concentration. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again. I'm not going anywhere for a very long, long time. We're going to grow old together with our children and grandchildren around us. Maybe even some great-grandchildren." Buck said smiling down at his wife who was the center of his world.
"That's just it" Beth sobbed. "What if I'm never ready to make love to you? We won't have any children or grandchildren. I've failed you as a wife." Beth said crying into Buck's shoulder.
"Shhh, Beth I don't want you to say that again you have not failed me as a wife and you never will. You'll be ready in time. We really didn't have a proper courtship. I kidnapped you to go get married. You didn't know I was going to do that. You were taken by surprise. Most women have month or years to be engaged and they prepare themselves for the wedding night. Ours was at Sam's and Emma's. It was awkward. I understand that. You need time to adjust to everything. This is a very different life than what you were leading before we got married. Don't worry about me. I can wait as long as it takes. I'm just happy I get to hold you every night and kiss you silly." Buck said kissing Beth and tickling her side.
Beth stopped sobbing and started giggling. She then remembered that Buck was hurt and stopped squirming around. "Do you need a back massage oh husband of mine?" Beth asked smiling now that she knew Buck understood about everything that was on her mind.
"That would be wonderful if it is given by my gorgeous wife." Buck said lovingly.
"Turn over on your stomach and I'll make it feel better." Beth said as she got the salve to put on Buck's back. Beth started to rub the salve into her husband's sore back as she was rubbing his muscles Buck began to moan. "Am I hurting you Buck?" Elizabeth asked afraid she had hurt him more than when he was first injured.
"Mmmmm. No that feels great. Can you do it some more?" Buck said half asleep. The more Beth rubbed the sleepier Buck got until he was snoring lying on his stomach with a pillow under his head.
"Well I guess you needed to relax" Beth said quietly as she covered Buck up with the sheet and quilt and kissed him on the head. "Have a good nap my love." Beth said as she went out the door shutting it behind her. As Elizabeth made her way downstairs, she thought to herself. 'I'm glad I lived in a house where Papa snored like a grizzly bear because I don't know if I could sleep well with Buck's snoring, but I would sure try. I'm such a lucky woman to have such a caring understanding husband.' Beth made her way into the kitchen to prepare supper.
Sixty Seven
The week Buck spent in bed went by slowly, but it was enjoyable with his wife tending to him. Some of the back massages Beth gave Buck were a little less innocent than he would have thought they would be. Beth was starting to get a little daring and Buck couldn't help but egg her on. She still wasn't ready to make love yet, but their time in bed did get a bit more heated as the week passed.
Finally, Doc Barnes gave his okay for Buck to start some of his daily chores. He wasn't to be breaking any horses for a while but he could ride again if he didn't over, do it. Beth asked Doc Barnes if she should continue the back massages. He said if Buck thought he needed them she could but he didn't think it was necessary. Beth kept this knowledge to herself. She enjoyed giving Buck his back massages and would continue them for a while. She thought things were moving forward with them. She still wasn't ready to act on all the feelings she had, but the massages were making it easier for her to get intimate with her husband.
Buck was back at work the very next day. Lou with Noah James and baby Moira, who Buck had nicknamed Mo, came over to see if Beth needed any supplies at Tompkins store. Beth was out of quite a few things and got ready to go to town to go shopping. Beth wanted to stop at the cobblers to have her fancy boots heels adjusted. Elizabeth drove the buckboard into town while Lou had Moira in a Moses basket and Noah sat between the two women jabbering away about the puppy he wanted to get. They pulled up to Tompkins store and got down off the buckboard. "Lou, I have to stop by the cobblers to drop off my boots. I'll be back in about ten minutes or so. It won't take long. Are you alright with Mo and Noah alone?" Elizabeth said to Lou worried she wouldn't be able to handle the two of them and shop at the same time.
"I'll be fine Lizbeth. I see Rachel in the store she can help me for a while." Lou called as she walked into the store. "Be careful." Lou said as she reached the doorway.
"I will" Beth called over her shoulder to Lou. Beth walked quickly to the cobblers and was making her way back while looking in her bag for her list for the store. Beth bumped into something hard and fell to the ground making an "oomph" sound as she landed on the dirty boardwalk. Beth looked up and was immediately frightened.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here? It's the half-breeds, squaw." Ethan said menacingly to Elizabeth while his two henchmen leered at her like she was a piece of meat. "I've been wanting to talk to you. You little whore." Ethan sneered as he took hold of Elizabeth's arm and yanked her to her feet which made her cry out in pain. He held Elizabeth's arm tightly in his hand cutting off the circulation as he steered her to a side alley.
"Let me go you PIG!" Elizabeth yelled as she spat, in Ethan's face. Ethan's grip grew tighter around Elizabeth's arm making it hard for her to speak. Angry tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Why Mrs. Cross how unkind of you. One would think you would be kinder to an old family friend." Ethan said pompously.
"You’re no friend to my family. Now what do you want." Elizabeth said through gritted teeth trying to get out of Ethan's grasp.
"For one thing I want you to be my wife. Annul the marriage to the savage and marry me if you value any of that breeds friends lives and your own." Ethan said as he tore the sleeve of Elizabeth's blouse from his strong hold and Elizabeth's squirming. Just then Ethan and his henchmen heard three guns cocking at their backs.
Buck, Teaspoon and Kid stood there barely controlling their anger with their guns drawn. Ethan let go of Beth's arm and straightened his hat.
"Marshal Hunter what can we do for you today." Ethan asked an almost psychotic smile on his face.
"You can get out of Mrs. Cross’s way and apologize for detaining her and ripping her dress." Teaspoon said his voice laced with deadly anger.
Ethan let Beth pass and she ran to Buck. Buck was seething. "Beth are you alright sweetheart?” Buck asked Beth as he looked at her face to see if she was unharmed.
“I'm fine. My arm hurts just a bit. I'm so sorry I didn't think that going by myself to the cobblers would take that long. Hold me Buck." Elizabeth said all in one breath.
"It's alright Beth honey. There's no reason to be sorry. You should be able to walk around town without being accosted." Buck said soothingly to Beth as he holstered his gun and took Beth into his arms.
"Jefferson, if you so much as, breathe on the other side of the street as Mrs. Cross I'll have you in my jail for assault and battery. The judge around these parts don't take kindly to women being hurt and he can't be bought. Now get out of here before I have you arrested for loitering." Teaspoon said with authority and menace. Ethan tipped his hat to Beth and walked over to the hitching post with his henchmen and they got on their horses and left. Buck would be sure to be with Beth every time she was in town or away from the house.
"Why did you come to town I thought you had to finish the corral fence today." Beth asked confused why her husband was there.
"I went into the house to get my work gloves I left in there at breakfast and saw your list sitting on the kitchen table. I figured you needed it and Kid wanted to help Louise so we came into town and spotted you with Ethan. Beth I'm so sorry he got to you again. Buck replied. "Can you forgive me?" Buck asked the love of his life.
"There's nothing to forgive. I love you Buck." Beth said with all her heart.
"I love you too Beth. Forever." Buck said to the woman who he gave his heart to the first time they kissed.
The group made its way back to Tompkins store to fill Lou and Rachel in on what had just happened.
"That man is crazy." Rachel declared. "You should lock him up and throw away the key Teaspoon."
"Next time I see him, I've a mind to do just that." the Marshall declared.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Buck asked Beth for the third time, looking at her worriedly.
Elizabeth nodded, and tried to smile. "I'm just a little shook up. I'll be fine."
Lou shifted the baby to her other arm, and handed her bag of purchases to her husband. "If he sets one foot on our property, I'll shoot him."
"Lou!"
"I'm serious Kid, he’s not going to get near our house or our kids."
Teaspoon and Rachel exchanged a smile, glad to see that marriage and children had not changed Lou too much. She was still small, but mighty.
"Can we go home please?" Beth asked. "I'm feeling pretty tired all of a sudden."
Finally, Doc Barnes gave his okay for Buck to start some of his daily chores. He wasn't to be breaking any horses for a while but he could ride again if he didn't over, do it. Beth asked Doc Barnes if she should continue the back massages. He said if Buck thought he needed them she could but he didn't think it was necessary. Beth kept this knowledge to herself. She enjoyed giving Buck his back massages and would continue them for a while. She thought things were moving forward with them. She still wasn't ready to act on all the feelings she had, but the massages were making it easier for her to get intimate with her husband.
Buck was back at work the very next day. Lou with Noah James and baby Moira, who Buck had nicknamed Mo, came over to see if Beth needed any supplies at Tompkins store. Beth was out of quite a few things and got ready to go to town to go shopping. Beth wanted to stop at the cobblers to have her fancy boots heels adjusted. Elizabeth drove the buckboard into town while Lou had Moira in a Moses basket and Noah sat between the two women jabbering away about the puppy he wanted to get. They pulled up to Tompkins store and got down off the buckboard. "Lou, I have to stop by the cobblers to drop off my boots. I'll be back in about ten minutes or so. It won't take long. Are you alright with Mo and Noah alone?" Elizabeth said to Lou worried she wouldn't be able to handle the two of them and shop at the same time.
"I'll be fine Lizbeth. I see Rachel in the store she can help me for a while." Lou called as she walked into the store. "Be careful." Lou said as she reached the doorway.
"I will" Beth called over her shoulder to Lou. Beth walked quickly to the cobblers and was making her way back while looking in her bag for her list for the store. Beth bumped into something hard and fell to the ground making an "oomph" sound as she landed on the dirty boardwalk. Beth looked up and was immediately frightened.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here? It's the half-breeds, squaw." Ethan said menacingly to Elizabeth while his two henchmen leered at her like she was a piece of meat. "I've been wanting to talk to you. You little whore." Ethan sneered as he took hold of Elizabeth's arm and yanked her to her feet which made her cry out in pain. He held Elizabeth's arm tightly in his hand cutting off the circulation as he steered her to a side alley.
"Let me go you PIG!" Elizabeth yelled as she spat, in Ethan's face. Ethan's grip grew tighter around Elizabeth's arm making it hard for her to speak. Angry tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Why Mrs. Cross how unkind of you. One would think you would be kinder to an old family friend." Ethan said pompously.
"You’re no friend to my family. Now what do you want." Elizabeth said through gritted teeth trying to get out of Ethan's grasp.
"For one thing I want you to be my wife. Annul the marriage to the savage and marry me if you value any of that breeds friends lives and your own." Ethan said as he tore the sleeve of Elizabeth's blouse from his strong hold and Elizabeth's squirming. Just then Ethan and his henchmen heard three guns cocking at their backs.
Buck, Teaspoon and Kid stood there barely controlling their anger with their guns drawn. Ethan let go of Beth's arm and straightened his hat.
"Marshal Hunter what can we do for you today." Ethan asked an almost psychotic smile on his face.
"You can get out of Mrs. Cross’s way and apologize for detaining her and ripping her dress." Teaspoon said his voice laced with deadly anger.
Ethan let Beth pass and she ran to Buck. Buck was seething. "Beth are you alright sweetheart?” Buck asked Beth as he looked at her face to see if she was unharmed.
“I'm fine. My arm hurts just a bit. I'm so sorry I didn't think that going by myself to the cobblers would take that long. Hold me Buck." Elizabeth said all in one breath.
"It's alright Beth honey. There's no reason to be sorry. You should be able to walk around town without being accosted." Buck said soothingly to Beth as he holstered his gun and took Beth into his arms.
"Jefferson, if you so much as, breathe on the other side of the street as Mrs. Cross I'll have you in my jail for assault and battery. The judge around these parts don't take kindly to women being hurt and he can't be bought. Now get out of here before I have you arrested for loitering." Teaspoon said with authority and menace. Ethan tipped his hat to Beth and walked over to the hitching post with his henchmen and they got on their horses and left. Buck would be sure to be with Beth every time she was in town or away from the house.
"Why did you come to town I thought you had to finish the corral fence today." Beth asked confused why her husband was there.
"I went into the house to get my work gloves I left in there at breakfast and saw your list sitting on the kitchen table. I figured you needed it and Kid wanted to help Louise so we came into town and spotted you with Ethan. Beth I'm so sorry he got to you again. Buck replied. "Can you forgive me?" Buck asked the love of his life.
"There's nothing to forgive. I love you Buck." Beth said with all her heart.
"I love you too Beth. Forever." Buck said to the woman who he gave his heart to the first time they kissed.
The group made its way back to Tompkins store to fill Lou and Rachel in on what had just happened.
"That man is crazy." Rachel declared. "You should lock him up and throw away the key Teaspoon."
"Next time I see him, I've a mind to do just that." the Marshall declared.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Buck asked Beth for the third time, looking at her worriedly.
Elizabeth nodded, and tried to smile. "I'm just a little shook up. I'll be fine."
Lou shifted the baby to her other arm, and handed her bag of purchases to her husband. "If he sets one foot on our property, I'll shoot him."
"Lou!"
"I'm serious Kid, he’s not going to get near our house or our kids."
Teaspoon and Rachel exchanged a smile, glad to see that marriage and children had not changed Lou too much. She was still small, but mighty.
"Can we go home please?" Beth asked. "I'm feeling pretty tired all of a sudden."
Sixty Eight
That night, Buck and his wife had dinner with the McCloud’s, but left early. Beth didn't have much of an appetite, and the events of the day had worn her out.
She changed into her night clothes and was laying on top of the bed covers when Buck came in to check on her. He smiled, not sure what she needed to feel better.
"Can I get you anything? Are you sure you're not hungry?"
Beth shook her head as Buck sat down on the bed next to her and took her hand in his.
"I was going to go, check on the stock once more, then I'll come to bed."
Beth smiled, but said nothing. She was close to tears, but didn't want Buck to see how upset she was. She had already caused him enough worry for one day.
Buck watched her for a moment, and instead of leaving, he laid down on the bed next to her, his face inches from hers, still just holding her hand.
"Please go ahead and finish your chores." Beth whispered. "You don't have to stay."
"I wish you'd talk to me Beth. You barely said two words at dinner. I know you're upset..."
"I'm not upset. I'm angry!" Beth spoke the words through gritted teeth. Buck moved back a bit, surprised by his wife's outburst.
"Now because of that...maniac, I can't even leave my own house without looking over my shoulder."
"If you need to go to town, I can come with you, or Kid can..."
"You're too busy to worry with that Buck, and you shouldn't have to."
"You're my wife Elizabeth, if you think I'm not going to worry about you, you're wrong." Buck reached over to caress Beth's check with his thumb.
"If it were just Ethan, I could handle it better, but..."
"What do you mean 'just Ethan'? Is something else wrong?" Buck asked.
"How long have we been married now Buck?"
"Almost a month." he answered immediately.
"And you're still waiting for me." Again, Elizabeth blinked back tears.
"I told you I'll wait as long as it takes Beth."
"But it's not fair. It's not fair to you, and I'm tired of waiting for the 'right' time. I feel like there's so much pressure built up around the whole thing...I'm tired of thinking about it.
"Then stop thinking about it. The time will come when it's supposed to.
"Can you stop thinking about it?" Beth looked him in the eye, and after a few seconds Buck looked away.
"No."
"Then how can you ask me to?"
Beth turned on her back, and looked up at the ceiling. Once again, Buck was at a loss as to what to do for his wife. Suddenly, he wished he could talk to Teaspoon. He was sure his old friend would have some valuable advice to share about this problem.
"Maybe this whole thing was a mistake."
As soon as Beth said the words, she could feel Buck tense up next to her and start to pull away.
"Not our marriage Buck." She reached for his hand to pull him back down on the bed. "That's not what I'm talking about. I meant having my mother and Zander live with us."
Buck's brow knotted as he spoke. "It's only until we can build a bigger house. They have to have someplace to stay Beth."
"Well does it have to be in the next room? I'm not exactly comfortable with having my mother here. She has ears like a bat!"
"A bat?" Buck tried not to laugh at the comparison.
"She has good hearing Buck. Do I have to spell it out for you? It, kind of puts a damper on things for me."
Buck smiled again, and kissed his wife on the forehead. He had thought the same thing, that having your mother-in-law in the room next door wasn't the best way to start married life, but they didn't have much choice in the matter.
"Well, maybe we can think of a way around the problem."
"I'm listening." Beth said hopefully.
"There are some very nice hotels in Omaha. Maybe we could go back up that way for a honeymoon."
"Really?" Beth sounded happy for the first time that night.
"You just say the word, and I'll take you away from all of this."
She changed into her night clothes and was laying on top of the bed covers when Buck came in to check on her. He smiled, not sure what she needed to feel better.
"Can I get you anything? Are you sure you're not hungry?"
Beth shook her head as Buck sat down on the bed next to her and took her hand in his.
"I was going to go, check on the stock once more, then I'll come to bed."
Beth smiled, but said nothing. She was close to tears, but didn't want Buck to see how upset she was. She had already caused him enough worry for one day.
Buck watched her for a moment, and instead of leaving, he laid down on the bed next to her, his face inches from hers, still just holding her hand.
"Please go ahead and finish your chores." Beth whispered. "You don't have to stay."
"I wish you'd talk to me Beth. You barely said two words at dinner. I know you're upset..."
"I'm not upset. I'm angry!" Beth spoke the words through gritted teeth. Buck moved back a bit, surprised by his wife's outburst.
"Now because of that...maniac, I can't even leave my own house without looking over my shoulder."
"If you need to go to town, I can come with you, or Kid can..."
"You're too busy to worry with that Buck, and you shouldn't have to."
"You're my wife Elizabeth, if you think I'm not going to worry about you, you're wrong." Buck reached over to caress Beth's check with his thumb.
"If it were just Ethan, I could handle it better, but..."
"What do you mean 'just Ethan'? Is something else wrong?" Buck asked.
"How long have we been married now Buck?"
"Almost a month." he answered immediately.
"And you're still waiting for me." Again, Elizabeth blinked back tears.
"I told you I'll wait as long as it takes Beth."
"But it's not fair. It's not fair to you, and I'm tired of waiting for the 'right' time. I feel like there's so much pressure built up around the whole thing...I'm tired of thinking about it.
"Then stop thinking about it. The time will come when it's supposed to.
"Can you stop thinking about it?" Beth looked him in the eye, and after a few seconds Buck looked away.
"No."
"Then how can you ask me to?"
Beth turned on her back, and looked up at the ceiling. Once again, Buck was at a loss as to what to do for his wife. Suddenly, he wished he could talk to Teaspoon. He was sure his old friend would have some valuable advice to share about this problem.
"Maybe this whole thing was a mistake."
As soon as Beth said the words, she could feel Buck tense up next to her and start to pull away.
"Not our marriage Buck." She reached for his hand to pull him back down on the bed. "That's not what I'm talking about. I meant having my mother and Zander live with us."
Buck's brow knotted as he spoke. "It's only until we can build a bigger house. They have to have someplace to stay Beth."
"Well does it have to be in the next room? I'm not exactly comfortable with having my mother here. She has ears like a bat!"
"A bat?" Buck tried not to laugh at the comparison.
"She has good hearing Buck. Do I have to spell it out for you? It, kind of puts a damper on things for me."
Buck smiled again, and kissed his wife on the forehead. He had thought the same thing, that having your mother-in-law in the room next door wasn't the best way to start married life, but they didn't have much choice in the matter.
"Well, maybe we can think of a way around the problem."
"I'm listening." Beth said hopefully.
"There are some very nice hotels in Omaha. Maybe we could go back up that way for a honeymoon."
"Really?" Beth sounded happy for the first time that night.
"You just say the word, and I'll take you away from all of this."
Sixty Nine
The next morning Buck and Beth made their arrangements with Kid, Lou, Anna and Zander so they could go to Omaha to one of the fancy hotels and have their honeymoon. Buck had to go into town to get some supplies while Beth prepared them to leave by packing their things. “I don’t think Buck or I will need too many changes of clothes because we’ll be in bed most of the time I suppose.” Beth said giggling to herself. She had never had such wanton thoughts before Buck had come into her room to ‘kidnap’ her and pulled her close to him on the floor. Her night dress was so thin she was sure Buck could feel her heart beating through the material. He had also been shirtless and her hand on his bare chest hadn’t helped her lock the wanton feelings away. After that night she wanted Buck so much that she could hardly contain herself. “Soon” She said to herself. “Very soon.”
Beth was so deep in thought she didn’t hear the footsteps coming up the stairs and into their bedroom. Suddenly Beth felt a gloved hand placed over her mouth and an arm go around her body pinning her arms down. She thought it was Buck for a second having some fun with her, but then she heard that voice and she went rigid.
“Hello again Beth. I was hoping I’d find you alone. Where’s your filthy half-breed husband?” Elizabeth tried to scream but his hand was so tight around her mouth she couldn’t open it. “Not here, huh? Well his loss is my gain. We’re going to have some fun you and I. Now if you don’t want to get hurt too badly don’t struggle as we make our way out of the house. I don’t want to alert anyone to your absence. Understand?” Elizabeth nodded her head as much as he would let her holding his hand over her mouth. “Now let’s go.” Ethan said to her in a menacing voice that scared Elizabeth to death. He slowly backed her out of the room walked her down the stairs and out the back door to his horse. He took two neckerchiefs out of his pocket and gagged and blindfolded Elizabeth then he placed her on his horse tying her hands to the pommel and mounting it sitting behind her in the saddle and took off though the open land off the ranch. To somewhere he could teach her a lesson she’d never forget.
Buck got home early as it wasn't busy at Tompkins store. He walked into the house and felt a cold chill go down his back. This was not a good sign. Buck quickly put down the supplies on the floor by the door and yelled, "Beth! Beth honey are you here?" Buck immediately ran upstairs and into their bedroom. He found the bureau drawers open with clothes some in a carpet bag and some on the bed. "JEFFERSON!" Buck growled. Buck immediately went to Kid and Lou's house to get Kid and go out tracking the horse that Ethan had taken Beth away on. He sent Zander, who had been in the back pasture all day checking the fences to make sure there weren't any holes, to town to get Teaspoon to help in the search for Beth. Buck found the trail instantly, but a steady rain started to fall and was making it hard to follow the tracks. Buck knew he had to stay in control Beth's life depended on it, but he was getting frantic trying to find the trail again. He kept thinking 'I can't lose her. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I don't know what I'll do if something happened to her. I love her so much. She knows I love her, Right?' Buck, Kid and Teaspoon made camp for the night praying they would find Beth tomorrow
Elizabeth and Ethan rode for what seemed like hours to Elizabeth. When they finally stopped Ethan untied Elizabeth from the saddle horn and yanked her off the horse with such force she fell to the ground. Ethan pulled Elizabeth up by her hair. She screamed out in pain behind her gag. He kept pulling her until she was walking toward an old abandoned shack. Ethan opened the door and threw Elizabeth into the shack. He sat her in a straight back chair and tied her to it. Ethan took off her blind fold and gag. The instant the gag was off she began to scream for someone to help her. Ethan gave Elizabeth a backhanded blow so hard it made her pass out. He was not happy with this he would need her awake for what he had planned for her. Ethan pulled a bottle of rotgut whiskey from his saddle bags and began to drink. Soon he was passed out like Elizabeth.
Beth was so deep in thought she didn’t hear the footsteps coming up the stairs and into their bedroom. Suddenly Beth felt a gloved hand placed over her mouth and an arm go around her body pinning her arms down. She thought it was Buck for a second having some fun with her, but then she heard that voice and she went rigid.
“Hello again Beth. I was hoping I’d find you alone. Where’s your filthy half-breed husband?” Elizabeth tried to scream but his hand was so tight around her mouth she couldn’t open it. “Not here, huh? Well his loss is my gain. We’re going to have some fun you and I. Now if you don’t want to get hurt too badly don’t struggle as we make our way out of the house. I don’t want to alert anyone to your absence. Understand?” Elizabeth nodded her head as much as he would let her holding his hand over her mouth. “Now let’s go.” Ethan said to her in a menacing voice that scared Elizabeth to death. He slowly backed her out of the room walked her down the stairs and out the back door to his horse. He took two neckerchiefs out of his pocket and gagged and blindfolded Elizabeth then he placed her on his horse tying her hands to the pommel and mounting it sitting behind her in the saddle and took off though the open land off the ranch. To somewhere he could teach her a lesson she’d never forget.
Buck got home early as it wasn't busy at Tompkins store. He walked into the house and felt a cold chill go down his back. This was not a good sign. Buck quickly put down the supplies on the floor by the door and yelled, "Beth! Beth honey are you here?" Buck immediately ran upstairs and into their bedroom. He found the bureau drawers open with clothes some in a carpet bag and some on the bed. "JEFFERSON!" Buck growled. Buck immediately went to Kid and Lou's house to get Kid and go out tracking the horse that Ethan had taken Beth away on. He sent Zander, who had been in the back pasture all day checking the fences to make sure there weren't any holes, to town to get Teaspoon to help in the search for Beth. Buck found the trail instantly, but a steady rain started to fall and was making it hard to follow the tracks. Buck knew he had to stay in control Beth's life depended on it, but he was getting frantic trying to find the trail again. He kept thinking 'I can't lose her. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I don't know what I'll do if something happened to her. I love her so much. She knows I love her, Right?' Buck, Kid and Teaspoon made camp for the night praying they would find Beth tomorrow
Elizabeth and Ethan rode for what seemed like hours to Elizabeth. When they finally stopped Ethan untied Elizabeth from the saddle horn and yanked her off the horse with such force she fell to the ground. Ethan pulled Elizabeth up by her hair. She screamed out in pain behind her gag. He kept pulling her until she was walking toward an old abandoned shack. Ethan opened the door and threw Elizabeth into the shack. He sat her in a straight back chair and tied her to it. Ethan took off her blind fold and gag. The instant the gag was off she began to scream for someone to help her. Ethan gave Elizabeth a backhanded blow so hard it made her pass out. He was not happy with this he would need her awake for what he had planned for her. Ethan pulled a bottle of rotgut whiskey from his saddle bags and began to drink. Soon he was passed out like Elizabeth.
Seventy
Elizabeth woke up a short time after Ethan passed out. Ethan being a city boy and having never tied anything but his shoes fortunately for Elizabeth tied her hands in front of her and wrapped the rope around her body and tied her ankles to the chair. Elizabeth was able to get the rope tied around her hands to her mouth and started on getting the knot undone. About half an hour later with a very sore jaw she had her hands untied and was working on getting the ropes off her body. Another half hour passed and she was undoing the rope that tied her ankles. She knew it would be daylight soon and she had to get out of there and find her way to Buck who she was sure was on his way to save her. Elizabeth slowly walked to Ethan and took his gun out of its holster. She then checked his saddle bags for supplies and headed out to his horse. Elizabeth mounted his horse and headed the way she thought they had come hoping she was going the right way and that she would find Buck soon.
Buck, Teaspoon and Kid were up before the sun and were back trying to find the trail Ethan had left. Buck thought he was seeing things as he looked at the ground. "I can't believe it! I think I found their trail again!" Buck yelled ecstatically to Kid and Teaspoon. Buck was sure they would find Beth that day hopefully unharmed.
Elizabeth was riding as hard as she could to distance herself from where Ethan had taken her. Suddenly the horse spooked. Elizabeth was bucked off the horse and thrown to the ground. The horse took off like a shot and was gone before she was able to get up off the ground. Elizabeth still had Ethan's gun in the waistband of her skirt, but all her supplies and canteen where gone with the horse. "Why is this happening? What does God have against me?" Elizabeth bellowed. She got to her feet and started walking. "I hope I come to a creek or stream soon I'm really thirsty and I hope that it doesn't rain again because if it does, I'm in big trouble." Elizabeth said to herself knowing if the weather changed, she was not dressed for the outdoors and that she needed water badly.
Buck, Teaspoon and Kid had followed the tracks to the shack to find Ethan emerging from it. He was staggering a little. Buck was off his horse before it stopped and was holding Ethan by the front of his coat. "Where is she you bastard? I'll kill you if you harmed my wife." Buck screamed at Ethan who just smiled and shook his head. Buck started shaking Ethan. "What did you do with her? Where's Beth?" Buck said through clenched teeth. Buck threw the man to the ground and started tearing the shack apart looking for any sign of Beth.
"Where is she Jefferson?" Teaspoon asked praying she was still alive.
Ethan just started to laugh at the men before him. "Your guess is as good as mine. I had a few drinks last night after the slut passed out after I gave her one smack and when I woke up, she was gone. My horse and saddlebags are gone too. She could be anywhere. She was blindfolded the whole way here. She doesn't know which way to go." Ethan said a maniacal smile on his face. Just then Buck heard a horse coming into the clearing where the shack was. "Ah there's my horse. Looks like she fell off. Too bad. I liked her so much. She's probably in the middle of nowhere and she was not dressed for the outdoors. Ethan said as if he had not a care in the world. He was cracking up and Teaspoon could tell he would snap soon.
"I have to find Beth, Teaspoon. I can't imagine her out there at night. I don't even know if she knows how to make a fire. There are storm clouds coming in fast and she has no protection from the elements. She could be miles away from water. You and Kid take Ethan to the jail. I'm going to find her." Buck said as he turned to get on his horse. "If I'm not back in two days comeback here and try to follow my trail. I should be able to find her. I hope that storm stays away for a while. I'll see you soon." Buck said as he kicked his horse into a gallop.
"Ride safe Buck" Both Teaspoon and Kid called to him.
Ethan was just standing there in his own world. Kid took some rope from the shack and tied Ethan's hands together and got him on his horse. Kid tied the reins of Ethan's horse to the pommel of his saddle. Both Kid and Teaspoon mounted up and headed back to Rock Creek praying Buck would find Beth in time.
Buck was right about the storm coming in fast it was upon him fifteen minutes after he started to look for Beth. He knew if he stayed on the trail, he would come across Beth soon.
Beth was soaked to the bone and shivering violently. She couldn't walk anymore. She sat down under a tree by the trail and curled up in a ball trying to keep some warmth in her. She was crying for Buck to find her. Night was falling and she was in the middle of nowhere. She hoped she didn't freeze to death over, night.
Buck was riding the trail looking for any sign of Beth. It was dark and freezing. He saw something huddled under a tree. He stopped and pulled out his gun walking over to the tree. He immediately ran to the form by the tree. It was Beth and she seemed to be sleeping. "Beth! Beth! Can you hear me? Honey wake up. It's Buck." Buck said as he picked her up off the ground.
"B…B…Buck?" Was all Beth, was able to say. She was shivering uncontrollably and she was really cold to the touch.
Buck remembered a cave about a mile back. He had looked in there for Beth thinking she might have found it and gotten out of the storm. He carried Beth to his horse and put her in the saddle then he mounted up covering up as much of Beth as he could with his body.
Buck got to the cave and carried Beth inside and put her down with his coat over her. He went back to his horse and got his bedroll and supplies taking them into the cave. Buck laid out his bedroll and put Beth on it and covered her up. Buck led his horse into the opening of the cave for protection from the storm. He then went to find some wood to make a fire. Buck found an old fallen tree lying under an overhang in the rock the cave was in. The wood he found there was dry. He collected as much as he could and went back into the cave and started a fire. He knew he had to get Beth's things off of her and make her warm. Buck began to peel the wet clothing off of his wife. He did it with loving care and once she was totally undressed, he wrapped her in his bed roll and coat. This wasn't working. Buck knew what he had to do. He began undressing until he was naked. Buck put more wood on the fire and crawled on top of his wife and pulled the blanket and coat back over them. He held onto Beth as closely as he could. Buck kissed her face. "Beth, I know you can't hear me right now and I know you'll be embarrassed tomorrow, but this was the only way to keep you warm. I love you so much." Buck said as he held Beth tighter and watched as her teeth stopped chattering. He knew this was the best way to get her warm with the limited resources he had available to him. He hoped she would understand when she was awake.
Buck, Teaspoon and Kid were up before the sun and were back trying to find the trail Ethan had left. Buck thought he was seeing things as he looked at the ground. "I can't believe it! I think I found their trail again!" Buck yelled ecstatically to Kid and Teaspoon. Buck was sure they would find Beth that day hopefully unharmed.
Elizabeth was riding as hard as she could to distance herself from where Ethan had taken her. Suddenly the horse spooked. Elizabeth was bucked off the horse and thrown to the ground. The horse took off like a shot and was gone before she was able to get up off the ground. Elizabeth still had Ethan's gun in the waistband of her skirt, but all her supplies and canteen where gone with the horse. "Why is this happening? What does God have against me?" Elizabeth bellowed. She got to her feet and started walking. "I hope I come to a creek or stream soon I'm really thirsty and I hope that it doesn't rain again because if it does, I'm in big trouble." Elizabeth said to herself knowing if the weather changed, she was not dressed for the outdoors and that she needed water badly.
Buck, Teaspoon and Kid had followed the tracks to the shack to find Ethan emerging from it. He was staggering a little. Buck was off his horse before it stopped and was holding Ethan by the front of his coat. "Where is she you bastard? I'll kill you if you harmed my wife." Buck screamed at Ethan who just smiled and shook his head. Buck started shaking Ethan. "What did you do with her? Where's Beth?" Buck said through clenched teeth. Buck threw the man to the ground and started tearing the shack apart looking for any sign of Beth.
"Where is she Jefferson?" Teaspoon asked praying she was still alive.
Ethan just started to laugh at the men before him. "Your guess is as good as mine. I had a few drinks last night after the slut passed out after I gave her one smack and when I woke up, she was gone. My horse and saddlebags are gone too. She could be anywhere. She was blindfolded the whole way here. She doesn't know which way to go." Ethan said a maniacal smile on his face. Just then Buck heard a horse coming into the clearing where the shack was. "Ah there's my horse. Looks like she fell off. Too bad. I liked her so much. She's probably in the middle of nowhere and she was not dressed for the outdoors. Ethan said as if he had not a care in the world. He was cracking up and Teaspoon could tell he would snap soon.
"I have to find Beth, Teaspoon. I can't imagine her out there at night. I don't even know if she knows how to make a fire. There are storm clouds coming in fast and she has no protection from the elements. She could be miles away from water. You and Kid take Ethan to the jail. I'm going to find her." Buck said as he turned to get on his horse. "If I'm not back in two days comeback here and try to follow my trail. I should be able to find her. I hope that storm stays away for a while. I'll see you soon." Buck said as he kicked his horse into a gallop.
"Ride safe Buck" Both Teaspoon and Kid called to him.
Ethan was just standing there in his own world. Kid took some rope from the shack and tied Ethan's hands together and got him on his horse. Kid tied the reins of Ethan's horse to the pommel of his saddle. Both Kid and Teaspoon mounted up and headed back to Rock Creek praying Buck would find Beth in time.
Buck was right about the storm coming in fast it was upon him fifteen minutes after he started to look for Beth. He knew if he stayed on the trail, he would come across Beth soon.
Beth was soaked to the bone and shivering violently. She couldn't walk anymore. She sat down under a tree by the trail and curled up in a ball trying to keep some warmth in her. She was crying for Buck to find her. Night was falling and she was in the middle of nowhere. She hoped she didn't freeze to death over, night.
Buck was riding the trail looking for any sign of Beth. It was dark and freezing. He saw something huddled under a tree. He stopped and pulled out his gun walking over to the tree. He immediately ran to the form by the tree. It was Beth and she seemed to be sleeping. "Beth! Beth! Can you hear me? Honey wake up. It's Buck." Buck said as he picked her up off the ground.
"B…B…Buck?" Was all Beth, was able to say. She was shivering uncontrollably and she was really cold to the touch.
Buck remembered a cave about a mile back. He had looked in there for Beth thinking she might have found it and gotten out of the storm. He carried Beth to his horse and put her in the saddle then he mounted up covering up as much of Beth as he could with his body.
Buck got to the cave and carried Beth inside and put her down with his coat over her. He went back to his horse and got his bedroll and supplies taking them into the cave. Buck laid out his bedroll and put Beth on it and covered her up. Buck led his horse into the opening of the cave for protection from the storm. He then went to find some wood to make a fire. Buck found an old fallen tree lying under an overhang in the rock the cave was in. The wood he found there was dry. He collected as much as he could and went back into the cave and started a fire. He knew he had to get Beth's things off of her and make her warm. Buck began to peel the wet clothing off of his wife. He did it with loving care and once she was totally undressed, he wrapped her in his bed roll and coat. This wasn't working. Buck knew what he had to do. He began undressing until he was naked. Buck put more wood on the fire and crawled on top of his wife and pulled the blanket and coat back over them. He held onto Beth as closely as he could. Buck kissed her face. "Beth, I know you can't hear me right now and I know you'll be embarrassed tomorrow, but this was the only way to keep you warm. I love you so much." Buck said as he held Beth tighter and watched as her teeth stopped chattering. He knew this was the best way to get her warm with the limited resources he had available to him. He hoped she would understand when she was awake.
Seventy One
He hugged her tightly, wrapping his body around her, and pressing his cheek against hers. Both of her hands were pressed against his chest, and he imagined that they felt the slightest bit warmer than they had earlier. They were still freezing, but not ice cold anymore.
"Please don't leave me Beth..." he whispered to her. "Please..."
Buck squeezed his eyes shut, keeping tears at bay. He was not going to give up on her.
"I was such a fool before. I should have told you how I felt. That I was in love with you. If I had, then none of this business with Jefferson would have happened. We'd be in our own home, safe and warm." Buck moved slightly and kissed her cheek. smoothing her hair back from her forehead.
"When all of this is over, I promise I'm going to build you the biggest house in town. And I'm going to put a fireplace in our bedroom!"
"Promise?"
The sound was so faint, that at first Buck thought he'd imagined it. Her face was buried against his bare chest, muffling her voice.
"Beth?" He moved slightly and looked down at her pale face. Her eyes were still closed.
"I'm freezing." she whispered, burrowing closer to him.
Buck was so happy that he laughed out loud. She was freezing, but at least she was awake.
"Beth...Baby, it's so good to hear your voice!"
Buck touched her face and kissed the top of her head. She was going to be alright.
"Tell me more about our house." she said.
Once again, she moved closer to his warmth. She was awake, but not quite coherent enough to realize that they were both naked under the bedroll. Buck smiled to himself, realizing that was probably a good thing at this point.
Buck closed his eyes as he envisioned what the house he’d build for Beth and himself would look like. “It’s the biggest house in town. There’s a fireplace in our bedroom. In the winter I’d wake up early and light it so it would be nice and warm before you wake up. Then I’d bring you breakfast in bed. Would you like that? Breakfast in bed.”
Beth nodded. “That sounds delicious. I’m being spoiled rotten.”
“Yes, you are. Because I love you.” Buck placed a kiss at the top of her head and hugged her closer. “The house is big. And I have an office, and that office connects to a children’s play room. That way I can watch them play when it’s raining outside. The desk is placed so that I can keep an eye on them when they’re outside as well.”
“You’re always so thoughtful. What else is in the house?” Beth’s body was still shivering so Buck pulled their bedroll closer around them.
“There’s a big living room. There’s a fireplace in there too. I can see it all in my head. You sitting there in front of the fireplace and when I’m done with work I come in there and I sit down next to the chair and smile up at you. Then I lay a hand on your stomach and feel the baby move inside.”
“Buck...” Beth looked up at her husband. “I want to make a baby. I don’t want to wait any longer.”
“What?” Buck whispered surprised at what his wife just said.
“I said I want to make love to you and make a baby. I don't want to wait anymore. Please Buck.” Beth said a little more coherently. She was starting to notice that she was not fully dressed. Not even close to dressed and that Buck was lying on top of her. When he moved, she felt skin on skin. “Buck, we have no clothes on. Wouldn’t now be a good time and it’ll warm us up a whole lot faster.” Beth said as her mind started working properly again. She was not embarrassed by the fact that they were naked and she wanted to make love with her husband.
“Beth are you sure? You’ve had a traumatic couple of days. Don’t you think we should wait until we’re home?” Buck said concerned that Beth wasn’t thinking clearly.
“Buck we’re supposed to be on our honeymoon in a nice hotel in Omaha. I was really looking forward to being alone with you and making love to you. Why can’t we make love now?” Beth stated as she started kissing Buck’s face.
Buck took Beth’s face in his hands, “Are you sure Beth? Really sure” Buck asked one more time. She nodded looking him straight in the eye. Buck knew she was sure and started kissing her passionately. Beth kissed him back with the same fervor. Beth moved her hand around Buck’s back and started rubbing his back and shoulders.
“Buck, please take me now.” With that said Buck and Beth danced the dance as old as time. They made passionate slow love. He treated her like fine china.
Later on, they were holding each other feeling nice, warm and happy.
“Thank you, Buck. You’ve made me the happiest woman alive. I hope we made a baby tonight. And we did get a whole lot warmer.” Beth said feeling the happiest she had ever felt.
“Beth I should be the one thanking you. You’re the one who took the initiative and asked what I wouldn’t ask. I hope we made a baby tonight too. I better get busy on our new house we may need the room sooner than we think.” Buck said laughing. “Do you think you’re up to more love making or are you too tired?” Buck said looking hopeful.
“No. I’m not too tired. But I can see we won’t be getting a lot of sleep once my mother and brother move out.” Beth giggled. “Yes, Buck take me again. I love you.”
“I love you too my precious Beth.” Buck murmured to her as he began to kiss her and they danced the dance again.
"Please don't leave me Beth..." he whispered to her. "Please..."
Buck squeezed his eyes shut, keeping tears at bay. He was not going to give up on her.
"I was such a fool before. I should have told you how I felt. That I was in love with you. If I had, then none of this business with Jefferson would have happened. We'd be in our own home, safe and warm." Buck moved slightly and kissed her cheek. smoothing her hair back from her forehead.
"When all of this is over, I promise I'm going to build you the biggest house in town. And I'm going to put a fireplace in our bedroom!"
"Promise?"
The sound was so faint, that at first Buck thought he'd imagined it. Her face was buried against his bare chest, muffling her voice.
"Beth?" He moved slightly and looked down at her pale face. Her eyes were still closed.
"I'm freezing." she whispered, burrowing closer to him.
Buck was so happy that he laughed out loud. She was freezing, but at least she was awake.
"Beth...Baby, it's so good to hear your voice!"
Buck touched her face and kissed the top of her head. She was going to be alright.
"Tell me more about our house." she said.
Once again, she moved closer to his warmth. She was awake, but not quite coherent enough to realize that they were both naked under the bedroll. Buck smiled to himself, realizing that was probably a good thing at this point.
Buck closed his eyes as he envisioned what the house he’d build for Beth and himself would look like. “It’s the biggest house in town. There’s a fireplace in our bedroom. In the winter I’d wake up early and light it so it would be nice and warm before you wake up. Then I’d bring you breakfast in bed. Would you like that? Breakfast in bed.”
Beth nodded. “That sounds delicious. I’m being spoiled rotten.”
“Yes, you are. Because I love you.” Buck placed a kiss at the top of her head and hugged her closer. “The house is big. And I have an office, and that office connects to a children’s play room. That way I can watch them play when it’s raining outside. The desk is placed so that I can keep an eye on them when they’re outside as well.”
“You’re always so thoughtful. What else is in the house?” Beth’s body was still shivering so Buck pulled their bedroll closer around them.
“There’s a big living room. There’s a fireplace in there too. I can see it all in my head. You sitting there in front of the fireplace and when I’m done with work I come in there and I sit down next to the chair and smile up at you. Then I lay a hand on your stomach and feel the baby move inside.”
“Buck...” Beth looked up at her husband. “I want to make a baby. I don’t want to wait any longer.”
“What?” Buck whispered surprised at what his wife just said.
“I said I want to make love to you and make a baby. I don't want to wait anymore. Please Buck.” Beth said a little more coherently. She was starting to notice that she was not fully dressed. Not even close to dressed and that Buck was lying on top of her. When he moved, she felt skin on skin. “Buck, we have no clothes on. Wouldn’t now be a good time and it’ll warm us up a whole lot faster.” Beth said as her mind started working properly again. She was not embarrassed by the fact that they were naked and she wanted to make love with her husband.
“Beth are you sure? You’ve had a traumatic couple of days. Don’t you think we should wait until we’re home?” Buck said concerned that Beth wasn’t thinking clearly.
“Buck we’re supposed to be on our honeymoon in a nice hotel in Omaha. I was really looking forward to being alone with you and making love to you. Why can’t we make love now?” Beth stated as she started kissing Buck’s face.
Buck took Beth’s face in his hands, “Are you sure Beth? Really sure” Buck asked one more time. She nodded looking him straight in the eye. Buck knew she was sure and started kissing her passionately. Beth kissed him back with the same fervor. Beth moved her hand around Buck’s back and started rubbing his back and shoulders.
“Buck, please take me now.” With that said Buck and Beth danced the dance as old as time. They made passionate slow love. He treated her like fine china.
Later on, they were holding each other feeling nice, warm and happy.
“Thank you, Buck. You’ve made me the happiest woman alive. I hope we made a baby tonight. And we did get a whole lot warmer.” Beth said feeling the happiest she had ever felt.
“Beth I should be the one thanking you. You’re the one who took the initiative and asked what I wouldn’t ask. I hope we made a baby tonight too. I better get busy on our new house we may need the room sooner than we think.” Buck said laughing. “Do you think you’re up to more love making or are you too tired?” Buck said looking hopeful.
“No. I’m not too tired. But I can see we won’t be getting a lot of sleep once my mother and brother move out.” Beth giggled. “Yes, Buck take me again. I love you.”
“I love you too my precious Beth.” Buck murmured to her as he began to kiss her and they danced the dance again.
Seventy Two
As Beth woke up the following morning, at first, she thought something was wrong, but then she remembered the events of the last day. A smile came to her lips as she snuggled closer to Buck and buried her face in a mass of long dark hair. Taking in a deep breath, Beth found that she loved the way her husband smelled.
“Morning,” came a male voice.
“Did you sleep well?” asked Beth.
“I’ve never slept better.” Buck placed a small kiss on the top of her head. “I love waking up and feeling you close like this.
“Hmm,” mumbled Beth as she rested her head over Buck’s bare chest and listened to his heart. The steady thumping sound made her smile grow even wider. “I wish we could stay like this forever.”
“We can,” smiled Buck. “We’re married that means that we wake up in each other’s arms every morning for the rest of our lives.”
“Yep, we’re married,” said Beth. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” Buck placed his arms around her body and held her close. “How are you feeling? Are you still cold?”
“No, I’ve never been warmer.” She looked up at his face. “I’m in the arms of the man I love. Buck, I don’t want to get up today, but I suppose our families may be worried about us...”
“Yeah, they probably are,” said Buck in a low voice and sighed. He made no move to get up.
“Morning,” came a male voice.
“Did you sleep well?” asked Beth.
“I’ve never slept better.” Buck placed a small kiss on the top of her head. “I love waking up and feeling you close like this.
“Hmm,” mumbled Beth as she rested her head over Buck’s bare chest and listened to his heart. The steady thumping sound made her smile grow even wider. “I wish we could stay like this forever.”
“We can,” smiled Buck. “We’re married that means that we wake up in each other’s arms every morning for the rest of our lives.”
“Yep, we’re married,” said Beth. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” Buck placed his arms around her body and held her close. “How are you feeling? Are you still cold?”
“No, I’ve never been warmer.” She looked up at his face. “I’m in the arms of the man I love. Buck, I don’t want to get up today, but I suppose our families may be worried about us...”
“Yeah, they probably are,” said Buck in a low voice and sighed. He made no move to get up.
Buck and Beth spent the early morning making love by the fire. By late morning Buck thought they should get going back to Rock Creek. Their clothes had dried and they had a breakfast of beef jerky and apples Buck had in his saddle bags. Beth made sure they had everything and that the fire was completely out while Buck saddled Warrior. Buck had Beth wear his coat and had her sit in front of him so he could keep an eye on her just in case she began to show signs of being too cold. They made it back to Rock Creek by nightfall. The lights were still on in Kid and Lou's house so they decided to let them know they were home instead of waiting until morning. Buck and Beth entered the house through the front door and walked into the sitting room.
"Hello everyone we're back." Buck said as everyone looked up at the couple.
"Elizabeth my God you're alright." Anna said as she rushed to hold her daughter. "Oh, Buck thank you for finding her and keeping her safe." Anna stated as she gave her son-in-law a hug.
Lou was just coming down the stairs when she saw Buck and Beth were back. She knew something had changed between Beth and Buck by the way Beth was glowing like she was so happy she could burst and Buck’s big goofy smile. She would have to get Lizbeth alone later and see if what she thought had happened did happen. "Buck, Elizabeth. I'm so glad you’re back safe and sound." Lou said running to give them both a hug.
"Buck, we were going to go out after you tomorrow at dawn. I'm glad to see you both back safe." Teaspoon said. "Jefferson is being held over for trial. I contacted the circuit judge. He should be here in 2 or 3 days." Teaspoon added.
"What a relief to see both of you. That Jefferson fella is as crazy as a loon. He thinks he did nothing wrong and thinks he's in a really small hotel room. I think his lawyer is going to go for an insanity plea." Kid said as he gave Buck and Beth a hug.
"Where's Zander?" Beth asked wondering where her little brother was.
"Oh, Elizabeth it's the cutest thing." Lou said as she took her by the arm and led her up the stairs. "Noah James has taken a real liking to Zander. He thinks he hung the moon. Zander is reading a book to him right now." Lou said as she opened the door to Noah's room.
Beth nearly started crying when she saw the little boy cuddled up on her brother's lap as he read a story book to him. When Lou saw this, she closed the door and brought Beth to her and Kid's bedroom to talk.
"Lizbeth is everything okay? Jefferson didn't hurt you, did he?" Lou asked her as they sat down on the bed.
Beth shook her head. She then looked to the cradle next to the bed with Little Moira in it. Her eyes filled with tears and she sobbed. "Lou, Buck and I were together last night and it was wonderful. He treated me like I was made of glass. I told him I wanted to make a baby. We could have made several babies last night if it were possible. It was magic. I never knew being so close to him could make me love him even more than I already had. I know it's silly but I think we may have made a baby last night or this morning." Beth said laughing at the last part she said. "I know there's no way to know right now but I have a feeling we did." Beth said with a big grin on her face.
"I'm so happy for you Lizbeth. I knew it would happen soon. I knew you both just had to give it time. I hope you made a baby so little Moira can have a cousin to play with." Lou said as she went to pick up a squirming Moira. "Would you like to hold her?" Lou asked Beth.
Beth smiled and nodded her head. Lou put the baby into Beth's arms. "Hello little one. You sure are getting big. You are a beautiful girl. Mama and Papa are going to have to beat the boys away with a stick. I suppose your brother will be your protector and make the boys mind around you. I hope to have a little one soon so you can play with him or her." Moira yawned and fell asleep in Beth's arms. "Okay. You go to sleep. Have sweet dreams baby girl." Beth said with a smile on her face. She laid Moira in the cradle. Then Beth yawned and Lou and she went downstairs.
Buck saw how tired Beth was. "I think it's time we go home and you get some sleep." Buck said to his wife in an authoritative voice. "We'll see you all tomorrow. Good night." Buck said to his family and took his wife to their house. Buck saw that Beth was so tired that the minute they got in the door he picked her up in his arms and carried her up the stairs. He helped her get undressed and into a night gown. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow. "Good night my sweet angel." Buck said as he gave her a kiss and blew out the lamp. Beth dreamed of babies with dark brown hair and golden skin. She smiled in her sleep a lot that night.
"Hello everyone we're back." Buck said as everyone looked up at the couple.
"Elizabeth my God you're alright." Anna said as she rushed to hold her daughter. "Oh, Buck thank you for finding her and keeping her safe." Anna stated as she gave her son-in-law a hug.
Lou was just coming down the stairs when she saw Buck and Beth were back. She knew something had changed between Beth and Buck by the way Beth was glowing like she was so happy she could burst and Buck’s big goofy smile. She would have to get Lizbeth alone later and see if what she thought had happened did happen. "Buck, Elizabeth. I'm so glad you’re back safe and sound." Lou said running to give them both a hug.
"Buck, we were going to go out after you tomorrow at dawn. I'm glad to see you both back safe." Teaspoon said. "Jefferson is being held over for trial. I contacted the circuit judge. He should be here in 2 or 3 days." Teaspoon added.
"What a relief to see both of you. That Jefferson fella is as crazy as a loon. He thinks he did nothing wrong and thinks he's in a really small hotel room. I think his lawyer is going to go for an insanity plea." Kid said as he gave Buck and Beth a hug.
"Where's Zander?" Beth asked wondering where her little brother was.
"Oh, Elizabeth it's the cutest thing." Lou said as she took her by the arm and led her up the stairs. "Noah James has taken a real liking to Zander. He thinks he hung the moon. Zander is reading a book to him right now." Lou said as she opened the door to Noah's room.
Beth nearly started crying when she saw the little boy cuddled up on her brother's lap as he read a story book to him. When Lou saw this, she closed the door and brought Beth to her and Kid's bedroom to talk.
"Lizbeth is everything okay? Jefferson didn't hurt you, did he?" Lou asked her as they sat down on the bed.
Beth shook her head. She then looked to the cradle next to the bed with Little Moira in it. Her eyes filled with tears and she sobbed. "Lou, Buck and I were together last night and it was wonderful. He treated me like I was made of glass. I told him I wanted to make a baby. We could have made several babies last night if it were possible. It was magic. I never knew being so close to him could make me love him even more than I already had. I know it's silly but I think we may have made a baby last night or this morning." Beth said laughing at the last part she said. "I know there's no way to know right now but I have a feeling we did." Beth said with a big grin on her face.
"I'm so happy for you Lizbeth. I knew it would happen soon. I knew you both just had to give it time. I hope you made a baby so little Moira can have a cousin to play with." Lou said as she went to pick up a squirming Moira. "Would you like to hold her?" Lou asked Beth.
Beth smiled and nodded her head. Lou put the baby into Beth's arms. "Hello little one. You sure are getting big. You are a beautiful girl. Mama and Papa are going to have to beat the boys away with a stick. I suppose your brother will be your protector and make the boys mind around you. I hope to have a little one soon so you can play with him or her." Moira yawned and fell asleep in Beth's arms. "Okay. You go to sleep. Have sweet dreams baby girl." Beth said with a smile on her face. She laid Moira in the cradle. Then Beth yawned and Lou and she went downstairs.
Buck saw how tired Beth was. "I think it's time we go home and you get some sleep." Buck said to his wife in an authoritative voice. "We'll see you all tomorrow. Good night." Buck said to his family and took his wife to their house. Buck saw that Beth was so tired that the minute they got in the door he picked her up in his arms and carried her up the stairs. He helped her get undressed and into a night gown. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow. "Good night my sweet angel." Buck said as he gave her a kiss and blew out the lamp. Beth dreamed of babies with dark brown hair and golden skin. She smiled in her sleep a lot that night.
Seventy Three
A couple of months later, Beth had Lou take her into the doctor's office. She hadn't mentioned anything to Buck, but she was fairly certain she was carrying his child. When the two women came out of the office, the smile on Beth's face was the biggest Lou had ever seen. "So," Lou said, "how do you plan on breaking the news?"
Beth shrugged. "I don't know," she said. "I want to make it special, but I'm afraid I'll just blurt it out as soon as I see him."
Lou hugged her for what seemed the millionth time since they'd been given the news. "Let's go talk to Rachel and see what she suggests," said Lou. "Besides, it will give us a chance to catch up on the news from town." She glanced at Beth to see if this prospect upset her since it could very well be news about the judge's decision on what to do with Ethan Jefferson.
After visiting with Rachel, Beth and Lou went to pick some things up at Tompkins store and the dress shop then headed home. Beth prepared a special dinner of roast chicken and mashed potatoes with the last of the snap beans all of which were Buck's favorite. She had asked Lou if it was alright if her mother and Zander spend the night with her and Kid. When they were out the door Beth started preparing for her surprise. She made the bed up with fresh lilac smelling sheets and set a bath for Buck to have when he came in. Then she went about preparing herself for a special night of surprises for Buck.
Beth was just heating up the water for Buck's bath when he came in the door looking exhausted and filthy. She was glad she thought of a bath for her husband. Buck walked into the kitchen and smelled the wonderful aroma of their dinner. "Mmm that smells wonderful. Is it almost ready?" Buck asked his bride as he gave her a loving kiss.
"Almost, but you need a bath first. I have the water all heated up for you. You can just get undressed as I fill the tub." Beth said with a twinkle in her eye.
"Whoa where are Anna and Zander? I'm not going to get undressed where they can walk in at any moment." Buck said looking at Beth with a wary eye.
"My mother and Zander are at Kid and Lou's for the night. We have the house all to ourselves. So, strip Mister or no dinner!" Beth said with a sly smile.
"Yes Ma'am!" Buck said giving a mock salute as he started undressing. It didn't bother Beth to see Buck undressed. They were very much in love and could do or say almost anything around each other. Buck stepped into the tub and let out a moan as his aching body slipped into the warm water. Beth sat behind the tub took the sponge and soap started washing Buck back.
"Whew! Your hair is dirty looks like I'm going to have to wash it for you. It needs a good scrubbing as does the rest of you." Beth said with mock sternness.
"Yes boss. Do you have the time to wash my hair and the rest of me and cook dinner too? Buck asked winking at his wife.
"Hmm let me think. Do I have time?" Beth said tapping her index finger on her chin. "Why yes, I think I do for a good, looking Kiowa Warrior. Are there any of them around here? Beth said as she walked around the kitchen looking out the windows and into the dining room.
Buck laughed and started to get out of the tub to hug his wife. "NO! You stay right there. I don't need bath water all over my clean floors. Sit down and I'll wash your hair you handsome Kiowa Warrior." Beth said laughing so hard she thought she would have to go to the privy.
Buck sat back down and Beth took a pitcher and filled it with water from the pump at the sink. "Okay scoot down a little bit." Beth said as she poured the water over Buck's hair.
"Aaaahhhh! It's too cold. I'm going to catch pneumonia." Buck yelled as Beth started soaping up his long hair.
"Stop being such a baby. You're acting like Noah James when I give him a bath." Beth said laughing at his antics. "You know I love your hair. I hope someday when we have little, ones they have your hair. It's so silky and soft and I love the color." Beth said with a smile to herself.
Buck reached around and pulled Beth in for a passionate kiss. "I love you so much. I hope someday when we have kids, they have your eyes and their Mama's sweet disposition. Oh, and your nose. I love your button nose." Buck said as he put some bubbles from the bath on Beth's nose. He was laughing so hard he didn't know Beth had another pitcher of water from the kitchen pump. She poured it over his head and he let out a growl that sounded like a bear. Buck jumped up out of the tub and grabbed Beth gently and pulled her clothes and all into the tub. Beth shrieked and splashed as Buck pulled her back against him. He started kissing her neck. She relaxed.
After a few minutes of kissing she said she had to go put something dry on and Buck let her up and made sure she was stable on her feet before he let go.
"You serve up supper and if you're good I just might have a surprise for you. Just take the chicken out of the oven put it on the platter and spoon the mashed potatoes and beans into bowls and I'll be down in a minute. There's bread in the bread box. We can clean up the tub later. Your clothes are on the sideboard. I'll be back." Beth said as she made her way upstairs.
When Beth got to their room, she shut the door and took off her wet clothes and put on a white satin nightgown that had pink and blue ribbon going through the lace in front that she bought at the dress shop. She looked at herself in the mirror and let her hair down. Then she took out a spool of thick red ribbon tied it around her waist and put a big bow at her belly. She brushed out her hair and put on her dressing gown. She was just coming downstairs as Buck came out of the kitchen with the last of the food. Beth kept her dressing gown closed and tied. They had a wonderful meal and good conversation. Buck cleared the dishes and came into the living room when he saw Beth standing there in the middle of the room with the red bow around her. He thought she's looked gorgeous.
"Beth, Honey, you look gorgeous. Why are you wearing that ribbon?” Buck asked looking perplexed.
"This is your surprise. Can you tell what it is?" Beth asked putting her hands on her stomach.
"Well whatever it is I can say it has to be good news. You're practically glowing." Buck said with love in his eyes.
"That's part of the package. Buck, I'm going to have your baby." Beth said blushing slightly.
Buck stood there stunned for a good minute or two. Then he smiled the biggest smile he'd ever smiled in his life and scooped Beth up in her arms and twirled her around. Then frowning he stopped abruptly. "Beth I'm sorry did I hurt you or the baby. I should be more careful." Then his smiled reappeared. "A baby! A baby! This is the most amazing news ever. When? How?"
"Well the how you know and it happened the night in the cave I'm sure of it. I'm due in the spring. Oh, Buck I love you so much you have given me the greatest gift. I never thought I'd have a husband and a child of my own." Beth said as she hugged Buck. "Why don't we go upstairs so you can unwrap your surprise? The kitchen can wait until morning. With that said Buck picked Beth up in his arms and carried her to their room and they made passionate love to each other. They were the two happiest people in the world.
After they’d made love, they both laid on the bed exhausted. And even though they were both tired, Buck sat up and looked at his wife’s stomach. There’s was an inkling of a bump there. A smile came to his face as he leaned down and placed his ear to the stomach.
“Hello, my son or daughter,” he spoke in his native tongue. “I’m your father and I promise I will take good care of you and your mother. I haven’t met you yet, but I love you very much, and I wish for you to have all the things that I didn’t have when I was growing up. You’re going to face a lot of hardship because you’re Kiowa, but I’ll be there with you all the way, and I’ll teach you how to be a good Indian. How to listen to what the land has to tell you and how to be a good person.”
Buck caressed her stomach while a dreamy smile came to his lips.
“What were you saying?” asked Beth.
Buck smiled and laid down next to his wife, using her shoulder as a pillow. “I was making introductions,” he said. “I was promising him or her that I will always be there to protect it, teach it what being an Indian is really all about.”
Beth reached around Buck’s shoulders and pulled him closer to her. “I love you.” She placed a kiss on the top of his head.
“I love you, too,” said Buck as he snuggled closer to her. A smile came to his lips as he thought about being a father. “Thank you – for making me a parent. I never, not even in my wildest dreams expected that to happen to me.”
“You’re welcome,” smiled Beth. “And just so you know, it takes two to make a baby, so you should thank yourself as well.” For a few moments, Buck was confused. “I don’t really have to explain to you how a baby is made, now do I?” Buck laughed before he started to place small kisses on his wife’s neck and shoulder.
Beth shrugged. "I don't know," she said. "I want to make it special, but I'm afraid I'll just blurt it out as soon as I see him."
Lou hugged her for what seemed the millionth time since they'd been given the news. "Let's go talk to Rachel and see what she suggests," said Lou. "Besides, it will give us a chance to catch up on the news from town." She glanced at Beth to see if this prospect upset her since it could very well be news about the judge's decision on what to do with Ethan Jefferson.
After visiting with Rachel, Beth and Lou went to pick some things up at Tompkins store and the dress shop then headed home. Beth prepared a special dinner of roast chicken and mashed potatoes with the last of the snap beans all of which were Buck's favorite. She had asked Lou if it was alright if her mother and Zander spend the night with her and Kid. When they were out the door Beth started preparing for her surprise. She made the bed up with fresh lilac smelling sheets and set a bath for Buck to have when he came in. Then she went about preparing herself for a special night of surprises for Buck.
Beth was just heating up the water for Buck's bath when he came in the door looking exhausted and filthy. She was glad she thought of a bath for her husband. Buck walked into the kitchen and smelled the wonderful aroma of their dinner. "Mmm that smells wonderful. Is it almost ready?" Buck asked his bride as he gave her a loving kiss.
"Almost, but you need a bath first. I have the water all heated up for you. You can just get undressed as I fill the tub." Beth said with a twinkle in her eye.
"Whoa where are Anna and Zander? I'm not going to get undressed where they can walk in at any moment." Buck said looking at Beth with a wary eye.
"My mother and Zander are at Kid and Lou's for the night. We have the house all to ourselves. So, strip Mister or no dinner!" Beth said with a sly smile.
"Yes Ma'am!" Buck said giving a mock salute as he started undressing. It didn't bother Beth to see Buck undressed. They were very much in love and could do or say almost anything around each other. Buck stepped into the tub and let out a moan as his aching body slipped into the warm water. Beth sat behind the tub took the sponge and soap started washing Buck back.
"Whew! Your hair is dirty looks like I'm going to have to wash it for you. It needs a good scrubbing as does the rest of you." Beth said with mock sternness.
"Yes boss. Do you have the time to wash my hair and the rest of me and cook dinner too? Buck asked winking at his wife.
"Hmm let me think. Do I have time?" Beth said tapping her index finger on her chin. "Why yes, I think I do for a good, looking Kiowa Warrior. Are there any of them around here? Beth said as she walked around the kitchen looking out the windows and into the dining room.
Buck laughed and started to get out of the tub to hug his wife. "NO! You stay right there. I don't need bath water all over my clean floors. Sit down and I'll wash your hair you handsome Kiowa Warrior." Beth said laughing so hard she thought she would have to go to the privy.
Buck sat back down and Beth took a pitcher and filled it with water from the pump at the sink. "Okay scoot down a little bit." Beth said as she poured the water over Buck's hair.
"Aaaahhhh! It's too cold. I'm going to catch pneumonia." Buck yelled as Beth started soaping up his long hair.
"Stop being such a baby. You're acting like Noah James when I give him a bath." Beth said laughing at his antics. "You know I love your hair. I hope someday when we have little, ones they have your hair. It's so silky and soft and I love the color." Beth said with a smile to herself.
Buck reached around and pulled Beth in for a passionate kiss. "I love you so much. I hope someday when we have kids, they have your eyes and their Mama's sweet disposition. Oh, and your nose. I love your button nose." Buck said as he put some bubbles from the bath on Beth's nose. He was laughing so hard he didn't know Beth had another pitcher of water from the kitchen pump. She poured it over his head and he let out a growl that sounded like a bear. Buck jumped up out of the tub and grabbed Beth gently and pulled her clothes and all into the tub. Beth shrieked and splashed as Buck pulled her back against him. He started kissing her neck. She relaxed.
After a few minutes of kissing she said she had to go put something dry on and Buck let her up and made sure she was stable on her feet before he let go.
"You serve up supper and if you're good I just might have a surprise for you. Just take the chicken out of the oven put it on the platter and spoon the mashed potatoes and beans into bowls and I'll be down in a minute. There's bread in the bread box. We can clean up the tub later. Your clothes are on the sideboard. I'll be back." Beth said as she made her way upstairs.
When Beth got to their room, she shut the door and took off her wet clothes and put on a white satin nightgown that had pink and blue ribbon going through the lace in front that she bought at the dress shop. She looked at herself in the mirror and let her hair down. Then she took out a spool of thick red ribbon tied it around her waist and put a big bow at her belly. She brushed out her hair and put on her dressing gown. She was just coming downstairs as Buck came out of the kitchen with the last of the food. Beth kept her dressing gown closed and tied. They had a wonderful meal and good conversation. Buck cleared the dishes and came into the living room when he saw Beth standing there in the middle of the room with the red bow around her. He thought she's looked gorgeous.
"Beth, Honey, you look gorgeous. Why are you wearing that ribbon?” Buck asked looking perplexed.
"This is your surprise. Can you tell what it is?" Beth asked putting her hands on her stomach.
"Well whatever it is I can say it has to be good news. You're practically glowing." Buck said with love in his eyes.
"That's part of the package. Buck, I'm going to have your baby." Beth said blushing slightly.
Buck stood there stunned for a good minute or two. Then he smiled the biggest smile he'd ever smiled in his life and scooped Beth up in her arms and twirled her around. Then frowning he stopped abruptly. "Beth I'm sorry did I hurt you or the baby. I should be more careful." Then his smiled reappeared. "A baby! A baby! This is the most amazing news ever. When? How?"
"Well the how you know and it happened the night in the cave I'm sure of it. I'm due in the spring. Oh, Buck I love you so much you have given me the greatest gift. I never thought I'd have a husband and a child of my own." Beth said as she hugged Buck. "Why don't we go upstairs so you can unwrap your surprise? The kitchen can wait until morning. With that said Buck picked Beth up in his arms and carried her to their room and they made passionate love to each other. They were the two happiest people in the world.
After they’d made love, they both laid on the bed exhausted. And even though they were both tired, Buck sat up and looked at his wife’s stomach. There’s was an inkling of a bump there. A smile came to his face as he leaned down and placed his ear to the stomach.
“Hello, my son or daughter,” he spoke in his native tongue. “I’m your father and I promise I will take good care of you and your mother. I haven’t met you yet, but I love you very much, and I wish for you to have all the things that I didn’t have when I was growing up. You’re going to face a lot of hardship because you’re Kiowa, but I’ll be there with you all the way, and I’ll teach you how to be a good Indian. How to listen to what the land has to tell you and how to be a good person.”
Buck caressed her stomach while a dreamy smile came to his lips.
“What were you saying?” asked Beth.
Buck smiled and laid down next to his wife, using her shoulder as a pillow. “I was making introductions,” he said. “I was promising him or her that I will always be there to protect it, teach it what being an Indian is really all about.”
Beth reached around Buck’s shoulders and pulled him closer to her. “I love you.” She placed a kiss on the top of his head.
“I love you, too,” said Buck as he snuggled closer to her. A smile came to his lips as he thought about being a father. “Thank you – for making me a parent. I never, not even in my wildest dreams expected that to happen to me.”
“You’re welcome,” smiled Beth. “And just so you know, it takes two to make a baby, so you should thank yourself as well.” For a few moments, Buck was confused. “I don’t really have to explain to you how a baby is made, now do I?” Buck laughed before he started to place small kisses on his wife’s neck and shoulder.
Seventy Four
It had been two months since Beth had found out she was pregnant with Buck's child. They had been the happiest two months of her life. Anna, Rachel, Lou and Beth were making all kind of baby things like booties, blankets and clothing and Buck was making cradle for the baby. Zander and Noah James were even making a rocking horse for the baby. Buck was the happiest man alive. He would lay with Beth at night and put his ear to her belly and talk to the baby in Kiowa and English. He would tell the baby about all the family it was going to have and how much they wanted to meet it. Beth would laugh at Buck when he would give her a kiss then her belly a kiss before going to work on the ranch. Anna and Zander had left the week after Christmas to visit family back in Massachusetts for two months. Buck and Beth had the house to themselves and took the opportunity to be together as much as possible. Beth had asked Doctor Barnes if it was safe to be together as a husband and wife should and he said it was fine as long as she felt no discomfort while doing so. The weather was as unpredictable as a wild horse with snow one day and fall like days in between the snowy days.
One day right after the new year Beth woke up feeling a little strange, she soon shrugged it off when she saw that there was a blizzard going on outside. Buck and Kid were already out tending to the animals and making sure they had enough food and water to keep them going for a while because the storm was getting worse by the minute. They were afraid they would get snowed in soon if the storm got any stronger. Beth went to make breakfast for Buck and herself and felt a twinge in her stomach. She figured it was something she ate and didn't think much about it. Beth felt a streak of wetness go down her inner thigh. She went to the bedroom to take a look at what it could be and she came back with blood. Beth screamed and collapsed on the bed. Buck was just on his way in the house when he heard Beth scream. "Beth!" Buck yelled as he ran up the stairs and rushed into their bedroom. He found Beth unconscious with blood on the floor and on the bed. He had never been so frightened in his life. He managed to get Beth into bed and got some towels from the linen closet. He undressed her and put a night gown on her. Buck was trying to stop the bleeding but nothing was working. "Please whatever spirits are listening please don't let Beth bleed to death. I know the baby is gone, but please don't take my Beth away." Buck cried.
Beth started to stir when she saw the bloody towels she began to cry. "Noooo! Not the baby." She sobbed. Buck could do nothing to help her, but hold her and talk soothingly to her. Their baby was gone and the loss was unbearable.
The bleeding stopped around midmorning and the storm had indeed left them snowed in. Buck brought Beth some broth and a cup of chamomile tea. Beth ate very little and only wanted to sleep. She had failed her husband. She couldn't keep their baby safe and as a result of not keeping their baby safe she had lost it. The pain in Buck's eyes was excruciating to look at. She felt ashamed of herself. Buck finally got into bed and wanted to hold his wife. She was so ashamed of herself that she shied away from him thinking he was just doing what he thought a husband should do. She was sure he hated her for losing their baby.
"Beth Honey please let me hold you. I need to feel close to you." Buck said almost in tears when she pulled away. Buck was sure that he had done something wrong while making love to Beth that caused the miscarriage. He needed her to know he was sorry. "Beth please look at me. I'm sorry. I know I did something wrong making love to you while you were carrying our child. I must have been too rough or we made love too many times. I'm so sorry." Buck sobbed.
"Buck it's not your fault it's mine. I couldn't keep our baby safe. I must have been working too hard and pushed myself. It's my fault. My body couldn't keep the baby safe. I've failed you as a wife. I am so sorry." Beth said crying into her pillow.
Buck was stunned by what Beth had said. He reached over and pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "Beth honey you have not been pushing yourself and Doc Barnes said it was safe to make love as long as you had no discomfort. This was an act of nature. This baby was not meant to be born, but maybe it made way for another little spirit to come to us at a different time. We're young we will have children when the time is right." Buck said really believing his words.
"You're right it was neither of our faults. Like you said this baby wasn't ready to come. We will have children when the time is right." Beth said feeling the weight of failure come off her shoulders.
Buck and Beth lay there that night and talked about everything they wanted in life. The fell asleep with tears in their eyes for the baby they lost, but were hopeful for what the future would bring them.
Another month went by with more snow and the ranch snowed in. Beth was eating an awful lot and Buck was worried she was in a depression from losing the baby. He could see her putting on weight. Buck was going stir crazy in the house not able to go outside. They had not been in touch with the outside world since before the miscarriage. Beth was sleeping a lot and was in her night gown and wrapper most of the time. He hoped that the snow would melt enough for him to get Lou over to the house to talk with Beth. Everything he did made her mad or would make her cry. He was at a loss as what to do for his wife.
One day right after the new year Beth woke up feeling a little strange, she soon shrugged it off when she saw that there was a blizzard going on outside. Buck and Kid were already out tending to the animals and making sure they had enough food and water to keep them going for a while because the storm was getting worse by the minute. They were afraid they would get snowed in soon if the storm got any stronger. Beth went to make breakfast for Buck and herself and felt a twinge in her stomach. She figured it was something she ate and didn't think much about it. Beth felt a streak of wetness go down her inner thigh. She went to the bedroom to take a look at what it could be and she came back with blood. Beth screamed and collapsed on the bed. Buck was just on his way in the house when he heard Beth scream. "Beth!" Buck yelled as he ran up the stairs and rushed into their bedroom. He found Beth unconscious with blood on the floor and on the bed. He had never been so frightened in his life. He managed to get Beth into bed and got some towels from the linen closet. He undressed her and put a night gown on her. Buck was trying to stop the bleeding but nothing was working. "Please whatever spirits are listening please don't let Beth bleed to death. I know the baby is gone, but please don't take my Beth away." Buck cried.
Beth started to stir when she saw the bloody towels she began to cry. "Noooo! Not the baby." She sobbed. Buck could do nothing to help her, but hold her and talk soothingly to her. Their baby was gone and the loss was unbearable.
The bleeding stopped around midmorning and the storm had indeed left them snowed in. Buck brought Beth some broth and a cup of chamomile tea. Beth ate very little and only wanted to sleep. She had failed her husband. She couldn't keep their baby safe and as a result of not keeping their baby safe she had lost it. The pain in Buck's eyes was excruciating to look at. She felt ashamed of herself. Buck finally got into bed and wanted to hold his wife. She was so ashamed of herself that she shied away from him thinking he was just doing what he thought a husband should do. She was sure he hated her for losing their baby.
"Beth Honey please let me hold you. I need to feel close to you." Buck said almost in tears when she pulled away. Buck was sure that he had done something wrong while making love to Beth that caused the miscarriage. He needed her to know he was sorry. "Beth please look at me. I'm sorry. I know I did something wrong making love to you while you were carrying our child. I must have been too rough or we made love too many times. I'm so sorry." Buck sobbed.
"Buck it's not your fault it's mine. I couldn't keep our baby safe. I must have been working too hard and pushed myself. It's my fault. My body couldn't keep the baby safe. I've failed you as a wife. I am so sorry." Beth said crying into her pillow.
Buck was stunned by what Beth had said. He reached over and pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "Beth honey you have not been pushing yourself and Doc Barnes said it was safe to make love as long as you had no discomfort. This was an act of nature. This baby was not meant to be born, but maybe it made way for another little spirit to come to us at a different time. We're young we will have children when the time is right." Buck said really believing his words.
"You're right it was neither of our faults. Like you said this baby wasn't ready to come. We will have children when the time is right." Beth said feeling the weight of failure come off her shoulders.
Buck and Beth lay there that night and talked about everything they wanted in life. The fell asleep with tears in their eyes for the baby they lost, but were hopeful for what the future would bring them.
Another month went by with more snow and the ranch snowed in. Beth was eating an awful lot and Buck was worried she was in a depression from losing the baby. He could see her putting on weight. Buck was going stir crazy in the house not able to go outside. They had not been in touch with the outside world since before the miscarriage. Beth was sleeping a lot and was in her night gown and wrapper most of the time. He hoped that the snow would melt enough for him to get Lou over to the house to talk with Beth. Everything he did made her mad or would make her cry. He was at a loss as what to do for his wife.
Seventy Five
Now into their sixth week of being snowed in Buck found the snow melting at a fast rate but the sky far to the north looked threatening. Buck was able to shovel out a path on top of the crusty hard packed snow from the roof of their porch to Kid and Lou's porch roof. He was determined to get Lou over to talk to Beth. He was knocking on Kid and Lou's bedroom window to try and get their attention. Kid opened the window happy to see his friend. "Buck, I'm glad to see you. How's Lizbeth doing?" Kid asked thinking everything was alright.
“She's not doing well. She lost the baby the morning we got snowed in. She's really depressed and I thought since the snow was melting, I could bring Lou over to talk to Beth. Maybe Noah James could come too. She's really missing him.” Buck said in a grave voice.
“Buck I'm sorry about the baby. I'm sure Lou would love to go over. Come on in I'll go get her. Noah has been going berserk not being able to go to see you and Lizbeth.” Kid said feeling the sadness that emanated from Buck.
Soon Buck, Lou and Noah James were on their way to Buck and Beth's house. Buck was carrying Noah James so the boy wouldn't slip. They clambered through the window into Buck and Beth’s bedroom. They took off their coats, hats, gloves and boots and made their way into the rest of the house.
“Auntie Beth, where are you?” Noah yelled as he scurried down the stairs and into the living room.
Beth was so surprised to hear someone else’s voice she forgot to feel so empty and sad. “Noah James is that you?” Beth said as the little boy jumped up on the couch she sat on.
“Yes, Auntie Beth it’s me. Mama and me came over to see you and Uncle Buck. I missed you so much. The snow is too high to go out the door so Uncle Buck came to our window and we came in your window. It was really fun.” The little boy said as he hugged his auntie.
“Wow you had quite an adventure. Your Mama’s here too?” Beth replied
“I sure am.” Lou said as she walked into the living room. “Noah Uncle Buck needs help in the bedroom. Why don’t you go help him for a bit while I talk to your Auntie Beth? Okay sweetie?” Lou said to her son.
“Okay Mama. I’ll see you in a while Auntie Beth.” Noah said as he gave her a kiss and ran out of the room.
“Lizbeth how are you holding up? Buck told me about the baby. I am so sorry.” Lou said as Beth burst into tears.
"Lou it was awful. There was so much blood. If Buck hadn't been here, I could have bled to death. He tried to stop the bleeding the best he could. Lou it's the funniest feeling. I feel like the baby is still with me somehow. I know I lost it. I guess I really can't explain it except to say I think its spirit is with me." Beth said with sad eyes. "I'm gaining so much weight, but I'm so hungry all the time. Thank God I filled the cellar with so many canned goods and things I canned myself or we'd be out of everything by now." Beth said as she stopped crying. She was so happy to have Louise to talk to again. Beth missed her mother so much and having Louise to talk to again was just what the doctor ordered.
"Lizbeth have you been together with Buck since you lost the baby? Have you thought of trying to get pregnant again? I know that it won't bring back the baby you lost but it might help the hurt you and Buck are feeling. It could bring something new into your life. Something you to could share in together. Just think about it. It might be the thing that makes you and Buck happy again." Louise said hoping they would give it another try.
"I'll think about it and talk to Buck to see what he feels. Thank you, Lou for making the trek over here and helping me see things in a different light." Beth said thanking Lou for her help. "Oh, just so you know the day before the storm we found out the fate of Ethan Jefferson. He wasn't fit to stand trial. He has been put in an asylum in Pennsylvania. He went completely insane. He confessed to murdering the servant girl Molly and kidnapping me. I don't think he'll ever make it out of there. I'm so relieved that he's out of all our lives." Beth said with a sigh.
"That's great news about that horrible man. I hope he stays in there until he dies. I'm happy for you that it's over. Now let's hope you and Buck can get back to happier lives. He loves you so much Lizbeth. He would do anything for you. I'm sure of it." Lou said hoping that with the news of Ethan Jefferson and her new state of mind they could get back to living a normal life.
Beth and Buck played with Noah James for a few hours and then Buck, Lou and Noah made their way back to Kid and Lou's house. Saying good bye wasn't so hard knowing they could see each other again soon. Beth was going to have a talk with Buck when he got back from taking Noah and Lou back. Maybe they could try to have a baby again. She hoped he'd say yes.
“She's not doing well. She lost the baby the morning we got snowed in. She's really depressed and I thought since the snow was melting, I could bring Lou over to talk to Beth. Maybe Noah James could come too. She's really missing him.” Buck said in a grave voice.
“Buck I'm sorry about the baby. I'm sure Lou would love to go over. Come on in I'll go get her. Noah has been going berserk not being able to go to see you and Lizbeth.” Kid said feeling the sadness that emanated from Buck.
Soon Buck, Lou and Noah James were on their way to Buck and Beth's house. Buck was carrying Noah James so the boy wouldn't slip. They clambered through the window into Buck and Beth’s bedroom. They took off their coats, hats, gloves and boots and made their way into the rest of the house.
“Auntie Beth, where are you?” Noah yelled as he scurried down the stairs and into the living room.
Beth was so surprised to hear someone else’s voice she forgot to feel so empty and sad. “Noah James is that you?” Beth said as the little boy jumped up on the couch she sat on.
“Yes, Auntie Beth it’s me. Mama and me came over to see you and Uncle Buck. I missed you so much. The snow is too high to go out the door so Uncle Buck came to our window and we came in your window. It was really fun.” The little boy said as he hugged his auntie.
“Wow you had quite an adventure. Your Mama’s here too?” Beth replied
“I sure am.” Lou said as she walked into the living room. “Noah Uncle Buck needs help in the bedroom. Why don’t you go help him for a bit while I talk to your Auntie Beth? Okay sweetie?” Lou said to her son.
“Okay Mama. I’ll see you in a while Auntie Beth.” Noah said as he gave her a kiss and ran out of the room.
“Lizbeth how are you holding up? Buck told me about the baby. I am so sorry.” Lou said as Beth burst into tears.
"Lou it was awful. There was so much blood. If Buck hadn't been here, I could have bled to death. He tried to stop the bleeding the best he could. Lou it's the funniest feeling. I feel like the baby is still with me somehow. I know I lost it. I guess I really can't explain it except to say I think its spirit is with me." Beth said with sad eyes. "I'm gaining so much weight, but I'm so hungry all the time. Thank God I filled the cellar with so many canned goods and things I canned myself or we'd be out of everything by now." Beth said as she stopped crying. She was so happy to have Louise to talk to again. Beth missed her mother so much and having Louise to talk to again was just what the doctor ordered.
"Lizbeth have you been together with Buck since you lost the baby? Have you thought of trying to get pregnant again? I know that it won't bring back the baby you lost but it might help the hurt you and Buck are feeling. It could bring something new into your life. Something you to could share in together. Just think about it. It might be the thing that makes you and Buck happy again." Louise said hoping they would give it another try.
"I'll think about it and talk to Buck to see what he feels. Thank you, Lou for making the trek over here and helping me see things in a different light." Beth said thanking Lou for her help. "Oh, just so you know the day before the storm we found out the fate of Ethan Jefferson. He wasn't fit to stand trial. He has been put in an asylum in Pennsylvania. He went completely insane. He confessed to murdering the servant girl Molly and kidnapping me. I don't think he'll ever make it out of there. I'm so relieved that he's out of all our lives." Beth said with a sigh.
"That's great news about that horrible man. I hope he stays in there until he dies. I'm happy for you that it's over. Now let's hope you and Buck can get back to happier lives. He loves you so much Lizbeth. He would do anything for you. I'm sure of it." Lou said hoping that with the news of Ethan Jefferson and her new state of mind they could get back to living a normal life.
Beth and Buck played with Noah James for a few hours and then Buck, Lou and Noah made their way back to Kid and Lou's house. Saying good bye wasn't so hard knowing they could see each other again soon. Beth was going to have a talk with Buck when he got back from taking Noah and Lou back. Maybe they could try to have a baby again. She hoped he'd say yes.
Seventy Six
While she waited for Buck to return, Beth caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She gasped when she saw how disheveled she looked. She made her way to the kitchen where she quickly set the bucket of water on the stove and began to prepare the tub for a bath. As she gathered her supplies an idea occurred to her about a way to convince Buck to start living their lives as a married couple should.
She began to hum a little song to herself as she continued preparing their bedroom by dimming the oil lamp and using candles to cast a softer glow over the room. She gathered two towels and a fresh set of clothing for them both and made her way back downstairs, she then turned to go back to wait for her husband's return.
She started just a bit when she saw Buck standing in the doorway - silently watching her.
When he didn't move, she whispered, "I thought it would be nice for both of us to clean up just a bit." She dropped her gaze to the ground as she continued, "After you all left, I realized that I've let myself go. I was hoping you'd be up to assisting me as I try to move on with my life."
Buck was across the room in two steps. He pulled Beth to him and kissed her deeply. "I'll do anything you need me to," he whispered as he released her lips.
Beth shuddered as his breath flowed across her neck. She turned so she could return Buck's kiss. "I need you to love me," she said. She blushed just a little as she dropped the wrap from her shoulders and turned to pick up the water bucket. When she finished emptying it, she was pleasantly surprised as Buck took it from her, placed it on the floor, and turned her to face him so he could begin to undo the buttons on the front of her nightgown.
Buck slowly unbuttoned Beth's night gown and slid it off her body. Beth covered her stomach knowing she had gained so much weight since losing the baby. Buck moved her hands away looking at his wife with so much love. "Beth there is no reason to cover up. You look beautiful to me every time I look at you. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." Buck said as he moved in to kiss her passionately. Buck then started removing his own clothes with Beth's help. He helped Beth into the tub and got in behind her. He washed her hair and helped her wash. He then got out and wrapped himself in a towel and picked Beth up out of the tub wrapping her in a towel and headed upstairs to their room where he laid Beth down on the bed and they made love to each other all through the night.
As they lay there after one of their love making sessions that night Beth turned to Buck saying. "Buck, you really don't mind that I'm getting fat? I seem to be getting bigger by the day. I'm just so hungry all the time."
"I can't say it doesn't worry me that you're eating so much. I want you to be healthy, but if you feel you need to eat right now, I understand. I've been eating an awful lot myself. I think it's being snowed in. There's not much to do except eat and make love." Buck said the last part with a wicked gleam in his eye. "Beth my love will you let me love you again?" Buck said with a big goofy grin on his face.
Beth got a shy smile on her face and said, "Of course you handsome Kiowa Warrior. I am yours for the taking." Buck reached over and pulled Beth to him and kissed her senseless. They became one once again.
She began to hum a little song to herself as she continued preparing their bedroom by dimming the oil lamp and using candles to cast a softer glow over the room. She gathered two towels and a fresh set of clothing for them both and made her way back downstairs, she then turned to go back to wait for her husband's return.
She started just a bit when she saw Buck standing in the doorway - silently watching her.
When he didn't move, she whispered, "I thought it would be nice for both of us to clean up just a bit." She dropped her gaze to the ground as she continued, "After you all left, I realized that I've let myself go. I was hoping you'd be up to assisting me as I try to move on with my life."
Buck was across the room in two steps. He pulled Beth to him and kissed her deeply. "I'll do anything you need me to," he whispered as he released her lips.
Beth shuddered as his breath flowed across her neck. She turned so she could return Buck's kiss. "I need you to love me," she said. She blushed just a little as she dropped the wrap from her shoulders and turned to pick up the water bucket. When she finished emptying it, she was pleasantly surprised as Buck took it from her, placed it on the floor, and turned her to face him so he could begin to undo the buttons on the front of her nightgown.
Buck slowly unbuttoned Beth's night gown and slid it off her body. Beth covered her stomach knowing she had gained so much weight since losing the baby. Buck moved her hands away looking at his wife with so much love. "Beth there is no reason to cover up. You look beautiful to me every time I look at you. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." Buck said as he moved in to kiss her passionately. Buck then started removing his own clothes with Beth's help. He helped Beth into the tub and got in behind her. He washed her hair and helped her wash. He then got out and wrapped himself in a towel and picked Beth up out of the tub wrapping her in a towel and headed upstairs to their room where he laid Beth down on the bed and they made love to each other all through the night.
As they lay there after one of their love making sessions that night Beth turned to Buck saying. "Buck, you really don't mind that I'm getting fat? I seem to be getting bigger by the day. I'm just so hungry all the time."
"I can't say it doesn't worry me that you're eating so much. I want you to be healthy, but if you feel you need to eat right now, I understand. I've been eating an awful lot myself. I think it's being snowed in. There's not much to do except eat and make love." Buck said the last part with a wicked gleam in his eye. "Beth my love will you let me love you again?" Buck said with a big goofy grin on his face.
Beth got a shy smile on her face and said, "Of course you handsome Kiowa Warrior. I am yours for the taking." Buck reached over and pulled Beth to him and kissed her senseless. They became one once again.
Seventy Seven
Over the next two months as the snow melted. They could finally get out the front doors of their houses. During that time Buck had Kid, Lou, Noah James and lil' Moira over as much as possible. Having the children near her helped Beth deal with things a lot better. Also having Lou to talk to helped Beth beyond words.
The snow had finally cleared around the middle of April. Buck insisted that he take Beth to the doctor to make sure all was well with her after the miscarriage and them trying for another baby. Lou also wanted to take lil’ Mo, as she was called now, to see how she was growing and if she was eating enough. All of the residents of the ranch wanted to see Teaspoon and Rachel. Beth wanted to get a telegram to her mother telling her the snow had cleared. Anna and Zander had been back east for four months as they could not get through what people were calling "The Blizzard of the Century."
Kid and Buck rode into town and Lou drove the buckboard as Beth held lil' Mo and Noah sat between them. "I'm so excited to see the doctor. I think I may be pregnant again. I haven't said anything to Buck yet. I don't want to get his hopes up if I'm not with child. Of course, it's not for lack of trying." Beth said in a bubbly voice.
"I hope you're right Lizbeth. I can't think of two better parents than you and Buck. This little one has been growing like a weed and I want to see how much she weighs. She eats like it's going out of style if I didn't know any better, I'd think she was Cody's child." Lou said laughing. Beth laughed too. She had heard so many stories about Cody's eating habits.
"I'm sure lil' Mo is doing just fine, Lou. She just a growing baby. She sure is a beauty. I tell you with those blue eyes and your color hair and Kids curls. You're going to have your hands full." Beth said as the baby drooled on her shoulder.
Lou pulled the wagon in front of the doctor's office as Buck and Kid dismounted their horses to go in to see the doc with their wives. When they walked into the doctor's office, they saw that everything was changed around in the waiting area. A woman was at a desk. She greeted them.
"Hello I'm Nurse Gates. Do you have appointments to see Dr. Gates?" The nurse said to the group.
"What happened to Doc Barnes?" Lou asked the woman obviously as baffled as the others.
"Doctor Barnes left the week before the storm. He retired and went back east to his family home in Albany, New York. Dr. Gates is his permanent replacement. I'm his wife and nurse. Would any of you like to see the doctor?"
"We didn't know Dr. Barnes was thinking of leaving. Oh, I'm Buck Cross and this is my wife Elizabeth. We would like to talk to the doctor first. Then could he examine Elizabeth?" Buck said taking off his hat and shaking the woman's hand.
"I think he can see you right now Mr. and Mrs. Cross. Please follow me." The nurse said to Buck and Beth. "Can you take a seat and I'll be right with your family Mr. and Mrs.....?"
"McCloud" Kid said as they sat in the waiting room seats and Noah went to play with the toys in the corner.
Nurse Gates knocked on the door to the doctor's office. "Kevin, there's a couple here to see you is this a good time?" The nurse said as she stuck her head in the door
"Yes Olivia, now is a good time. Send them in." The doctor said as the nurse opened the door for them to enter.
Buck looked at the doctor and thought 'He must be younger than me. I hope he knows what he's doing' Buck mentally shook himself and focused on the situation at hand. "Hello Dr. Gates. I'm Buck Cross and this is my wife Elizabeth. We were wondering if we could talk to you and then have you examine Beth." Buck said as he shook the doctor's hand. Buck and Beth sat in front of the desk nervously waiting to talk to the doctor.
The doctor went to the filing cabinet looking for a moment and took out a file. "Yes Mrs. Cross you were last her to see Dr Barnes right before Christmas? Correct? It says here that you are expecting a child in May. May I ask what you wanted to talk to me about?" Dr. Gates questioned Beth.
Beth got tears in her eyes and Buck held her hand tighter. "Doctor the day of the storm Beth lost the baby. She lost a lot of blood and I tried to stop the bleeding but it didn't work. We were just able to get off the ranch to come see if she's alright today. We've been trying for another baby for about two months now." Buck said with a hopeful look to his wife.
"Doctor I've been eating an awful lot and gaining a lot of weight. I think it was mostly because of losing the baby and partly being snowed in. I've always been thin so this isn't like me." Beth said hoping the doctor could find out the reason she is eating so much.
"Well I'm sorry to hear you lost the baby. I know these things can be hard for both of the expectant parents. I'm sure we'll come to find out if you are pregnant again and why you're eating so much. Mr. Cross If you will take a seat in the waiting room. I'll examine Mrs. Cross." The doctor said and showed Beth to the door of the examining room and Buck to the waiting room.
Buck was sitting on tenterhooks while Beth was being examined. He nearly jumped when the door to the examining room opened. Beth came out with a big smile across her face. "Well what did he say?" Buck asked as he approached his wife.
"He's said I'm almost two months pregnant. The weight gain he thinks is from eating a lot because of the loss of the baby and because we were snowed in so long. He say's once I give birth it will come off with daily activity. Oh, Buck we're going to have a baby." Beth said with tears in her eyes.
"Thank the gods. Our prayers have been answered. This is the best news I’ve heard in a long time. I'm going to be a father. I love you so much Beth. We're going to have our family after all." Buck said ecstatic at the news.
Lou and Kid came over to offer their congratulations. "Beth, see you were right after all. I'm so happy for you both. "Lou said with sincerity.
"Congratulations Mama and Daddy." Kid said shaking Buck's hand and giving Beth a hug.
This was a very happy day for Buck and Beth. One they thought they would never see after the miscarriage
The snow had finally cleared around the middle of April. Buck insisted that he take Beth to the doctor to make sure all was well with her after the miscarriage and them trying for another baby. Lou also wanted to take lil’ Mo, as she was called now, to see how she was growing and if she was eating enough. All of the residents of the ranch wanted to see Teaspoon and Rachel. Beth wanted to get a telegram to her mother telling her the snow had cleared. Anna and Zander had been back east for four months as they could not get through what people were calling "The Blizzard of the Century."
Kid and Buck rode into town and Lou drove the buckboard as Beth held lil' Mo and Noah sat between them. "I'm so excited to see the doctor. I think I may be pregnant again. I haven't said anything to Buck yet. I don't want to get his hopes up if I'm not with child. Of course, it's not for lack of trying." Beth said in a bubbly voice.
"I hope you're right Lizbeth. I can't think of two better parents than you and Buck. This little one has been growing like a weed and I want to see how much she weighs. She eats like it's going out of style if I didn't know any better, I'd think she was Cody's child." Lou said laughing. Beth laughed too. She had heard so many stories about Cody's eating habits.
"I'm sure lil' Mo is doing just fine, Lou. She just a growing baby. She sure is a beauty. I tell you with those blue eyes and your color hair and Kids curls. You're going to have your hands full." Beth said as the baby drooled on her shoulder.
Lou pulled the wagon in front of the doctor's office as Buck and Kid dismounted their horses to go in to see the doc with their wives. When they walked into the doctor's office, they saw that everything was changed around in the waiting area. A woman was at a desk. She greeted them.
"Hello I'm Nurse Gates. Do you have appointments to see Dr. Gates?" The nurse said to the group.
"What happened to Doc Barnes?" Lou asked the woman obviously as baffled as the others.
"Doctor Barnes left the week before the storm. He retired and went back east to his family home in Albany, New York. Dr. Gates is his permanent replacement. I'm his wife and nurse. Would any of you like to see the doctor?"
"We didn't know Dr. Barnes was thinking of leaving. Oh, I'm Buck Cross and this is my wife Elizabeth. We would like to talk to the doctor first. Then could he examine Elizabeth?" Buck said taking off his hat and shaking the woman's hand.
"I think he can see you right now Mr. and Mrs. Cross. Please follow me." The nurse said to Buck and Beth. "Can you take a seat and I'll be right with your family Mr. and Mrs.....?"
"McCloud" Kid said as they sat in the waiting room seats and Noah went to play with the toys in the corner.
Nurse Gates knocked on the door to the doctor's office. "Kevin, there's a couple here to see you is this a good time?" The nurse said as she stuck her head in the door
"Yes Olivia, now is a good time. Send them in." The doctor said as the nurse opened the door for them to enter.
Buck looked at the doctor and thought 'He must be younger than me. I hope he knows what he's doing' Buck mentally shook himself and focused on the situation at hand. "Hello Dr. Gates. I'm Buck Cross and this is my wife Elizabeth. We were wondering if we could talk to you and then have you examine Beth." Buck said as he shook the doctor's hand. Buck and Beth sat in front of the desk nervously waiting to talk to the doctor.
The doctor went to the filing cabinet looking for a moment and took out a file. "Yes Mrs. Cross you were last her to see Dr Barnes right before Christmas? Correct? It says here that you are expecting a child in May. May I ask what you wanted to talk to me about?" Dr. Gates questioned Beth.
Beth got tears in her eyes and Buck held her hand tighter. "Doctor the day of the storm Beth lost the baby. She lost a lot of blood and I tried to stop the bleeding but it didn't work. We were just able to get off the ranch to come see if she's alright today. We've been trying for another baby for about two months now." Buck said with a hopeful look to his wife.
"Doctor I've been eating an awful lot and gaining a lot of weight. I think it was mostly because of losing the baby and partly being snowed in. I've always been thin so this isn't like me." Beth said hoping the doctor could find out the reason she is eating so much.
"Well I'm sorry to hear you lost the baby. I know these things can be hard for both of the expectant parents. I'm sure we'll come to find out if you are pregnant again and why you're eating so much. Mr. Cross If you will take a seat in the waiting room. I'll examine Mrs. Cross." The doctor said and showed Beth to the door of the examining room and Buck to the waiting room.
Buck was sitting on tenterhooks while Beth was being examined. He nearly jumped when the door to the examining room opened. Beth came out with a big smile across her face. "Well what did he say?" Buck asked as he approached his wife.
"He's said I'm almost two months pregnant. The weight gain he thinks is from eating a lot because of the loss of the baby and because we were snowed in so long. He say's once I give birth it will come off with daily activity. Oh, Buck we're going to have a baby." Beth said with tears in her eyes.
"Thank the gods. Our prayers have been answered. This is the best news I’ve heard in a long time. I'm going to be a father. I love you so much Beth. We're going to have our family after all." Buck said ecstatic at the news.
Lou and Kid came over to offer their congratulations. "Beth, see you were right after all. I'm so happy for you both. "Lou said with sincerity.
"Congratulations Mama and Daddy." Kid said shaking Buck's hand and giving Beth a hug.
This was a very happy day for Buck and Beth. One they thought they would never see after the miscarriage
Seventy Eight
As they rode home, Buck was very quiet. Beth wasn't sure why, a few moments before he'd been as happy as she was. She decided to make him talk to her as soon as they got home.
As soon as he had lifted her from the buckboard, Buck took hold of Beth's hands. "I have something important I need to ask you," he said.
Beth nodded, holding her breath.
"Will you marry me?"
"I already did," Beth replied. "We've been married for..."
Buck leaned over and kissed her. "I mean will you marry me again? I want you to have the big wedding you deserve." He kissed her a second time.
He then looked up at Lou. "Do you think you could help with the planning. I mean with Anna and Zander out of town, we have a lot of planning to do if we want to have this wedding before things get busy at the ranch."
"I hope my mother and Zander can get back soon; I'd hate to get married without them a second time."
"I'll go send them a wire while you and Lou start planning," Buck said as he once more mounted his horse. He gave Kid an apologetic glance as he headed towards town.
"Wait up," Kid called. "I'll go with you so we can let Rachel know. She'd skin us alive if we didn't include her in planning this event."
A few weeks later, a nervous Buck was standing in front of the church waiting. He couldn't believe that this day had finally arrived. He was glad for two reasons - one he was finally giving Elizabeth the wedding she deserved and letting the world know how special she was, and two, once the ceremony was over his life could return to normal.
The past few weeks had been exciting and chaotic. He wasn't allowed to see the dress that was being sewn in the extra room; in fact, the week before the wedding he was asked to move out of the house so that he wouldn't accidentally catch a peek. On top of all the wedding plans, Buck and Beth were also attempting to get a start on the nursery they were going to need in a few months. The day before he had moved into Kid and Lou's house, Buck had finally managed to show Beth the cradle he had made. "I'd love to set it up for you," he said, "but I can't because your mother won't let me in the room." He shook his head.
Beth laughed. "I know," she said. "The dress is locked inside the closet, and she still refuses to let you walk by the room without closing the door." She leaned over and kissed Buck's cheek. "Thank you for being so understanding."
Buck returned her kiss. "It's only a few more days," he said, "then we can start living our lives again."
Buck was brought back to the present when the music began to play and all the people gathered stood. He turned to face Beth as she walked down the aisle on the arm of her younger brother. She was stunning in the dress Rachel, Anna, and Lou had made for her. It flattered her, and made her look even more stunning in her state of expectancy.
When Zander answered, "Her mother and I," to Teaspoon's question, "Who gives this woman to be married?", time stood still for Buck. The next thing he knew, Teaspoon was saying, "You may kiss the bride."
Buck reached over, moved the veil and tenderly kissed her. They broke off the kiss, and turned to face the gathered friends and family. Teaspoon stood behind them, and placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Buck Cross."
The crowd started to applaud. Beth and Buck stood smiling at them when suddenly Beth let out a small gasp and grabbed Buck's arm. "Oh..." she moaned as she crumbled to the floor holding her stomach.
As soon as he had lifted her from the buckboard, Buck took hold of Beth's hands. "I have something important I need to ask you," he said.
Beth nodded, holding her breath.
"Will you marry me?"
"I already did," Beth replied. "We've been married for..."
Buck leaned over and kissed her. "I mean will you marry me again? I want you to have the big wedding you deserve." He kissed her a second time.
He then looked up at Lou. "Do you think you could help with the planning. I mean with Anna and Zander out of town, we have a lot of planning to do if we want to have this wedding before things get busy at the ranch."
"I hope my mother and Zander can get back soon; I'd hate to get married without them a second time."
"I'll go send them a wire while you and Lou start planning," Buck said as he once more mounted his horse. He gave Kid an apologetic glance as he headed towards town.
"Wait up," Kid called. "I'll go with you so we can let Rachel know. She'd skin us alive if we didn't include her in planning this event."
A few weeks later, a nervous Buck was standing in front of the church waiting. He couldn't believe that this day had finally arrived. He was glad for two reasons - one he was finally giving Elizabeth the wedding she deserved and letting the world know how special she was, and two, once the ceremony was over his life could return to normal.
The past few weeks had been exciting and chaotic. He wasn't allowed to see the dress that was being sewn in the extra room; in fact, the week before the wedding he was asked to move out of the house so that he wouldn't accidentally catch a peek. On top of all the wedding plans, Buck and Beth were also attempting to get a start on the nursery they were going to need in a few months. The day before he had moved into Kid and Lou's house, Buck had finally managed to show Beth the cradle he had made. "I'd love to set it up for you," he said, "but I can't because your mother won't let me in the room." He shook his head.
Beth laughed. "I know," she said. "The dress is locked inside the closet, and she still refuses to let you walk by the room without closing the door." She leaned over and kissed Buck's cheek. "Thank you for being so understanding."
Buck returned her kiss. "It's only a few more days," he said, "then we can start living our lives again."
Buck was brought back to the present when the music began to play and all the people gathered stood. He turned to face Beth as she walked down the aisle on the arm of her younger brother. She was stunning in the dress Rachel, Anna, and Lou had made for her. It flattered her, and made her look even more stunning in her state of expectancy.
When Zander answered, "Her mother and I," to Teaspoon's question, "Who gives this woman to be married?", time stood still for Buck. The next thing he knew, Teaspoon was saying, "You may kiss the bride."
Buck reached over, moved the veil and tenderly kissed her. They broke off the kiss, and turned to face the gathered friends and family. Teaspoon stood behind them, and placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Buck Cross."
The crowd started to applaud. Beth and Buck stood smiling at them when suddenly Beth let out a small gasp and grabbed Buck's arm. "Oh..." she moaned as she crumbled to the floor holding her stomach.
Seventy Nine
Everyone in the church froze as Beth hit the floor. Buck immediately was at her side. "Beth Honey is it the baby?" Buck asked concerned for his wife and unborn child.
Tears streamed down Beth's face. She started breathing erratically and nodded her head yes. Buck scooped Beth up and quickly made his way out of the church. He was followed by his express family and in-laws. Emma gathered the children and they made their way back to the ranch while a visiting Jimmy, Cody and Sam with Teaspoon and Rachel, Lou, Kid and Beth's mother and brother made their way to the doctor's office. Kid opened the door to the doctor's office and Buck made his way through with Beth. Beth's face was red and tear streaked as she tried not to scream. The nurse had Buck lay Beth down on the bed in one of the examining rooms then quickly shooed him out while Dr. Gates looked Beth over. Buck was as pale as anyone had ever seen him. Teaspoon had him sit in a chair before he fell on the floor from shock.
"Olivia, I need your help in here." Dr. Gates yelled to the nurse. "Now!" Nurse Olivia hurried into the examining room and quickly closed the door behind her.
Buck was beside himself. He knew they were going to lose the baby and he was terrified he would lose Beth too. The first scream caught everyone off guard. The second scream had Buck running for the room his wife was in. Buck suddenly felt hands and arms holding him back. He was struggling with all his might to get to Beth as the screams became more urgent. It took Sam, Jimmy, Cody, Kid and Zander to hold Buck back from the examining room.
"Beth! Beth! Please let me get to her. She needs me!" Buck yelled as he broke down in to tears but was still trying to get into the room. Buck was dragged out of the waiting room by the five men that were his family. They brought him over to the jail and locked him in a cell for his own safety and so the doctor could help Beth without Buck's screams. Buck begged his friends to let him out but they all stood their ground. He sat down on the cot in the cell and put his head in his hands and began to cry in earnest. Buck was sobbing like he had when he was a little child after his tormenters in the village had beaten him. He never wanted to feel his mother's embrace more than he did at that moment.
Back at the doctor’s office Lou, Rachel, Anna and Teaspoon sat in the waiting room cringing at each scream Beth let out. They were sure that Beth was dying and they were sure Buck would not make it back from this if it happened. The women knew a miscarriage was painful but the way Beth was screaming was not like any miscarriage they had witnessed or had themselves.
"Why is she screaming like that? It's not normal." Lou asked those around her, frightened that her friend would die.
"I don't know Louise, but your right it's not normal." Rachel replied to Lou and she moved to sit next to her taking her hand.
Teaspoon sat with Anna as she cried for her daughter. Beth let out a long wail and then there was no sound coming from the room. Anna jumped up and fainted right there where she stood. Teaspoon helped the woman up into a chair and was fanning her with a piece of paper off the nurse's desk.
Just then the door opened and the doctor came out his shirt front covered in blood. Lou started to cry harder than she was before.
Tears streamed down Beth's face. She started breathing erratically and nodded her head yes. Buck scooped Beth up and quickly made his way out of the church. He was followed by his express family and in-laws. Emma gathered the children and they made their way back to the ranch while a visiting Jimmy, Cody and Sam with Teaspoon and Rachel, Lou, Kid and Beth's mother and brother made their way to the doctor's office. Kid opened the door to the doctor's office and Buck made his way through with Beth. Beth's face was red and tear streaked as she tried not to scream. The nurse had Buck lay Beth down on the bed in one of the examining rooms then quickly shooed him out while Dr. Gates looked Beth over. Buck was as pale as anyone had ever seen him. Teaspoon had him sit in a chair before he fell on the floor from shock.
"Olivia, I need your help in here." Dr. Gates yelled to the nurse. "Now!" Nurse Olivia hurried into the examining room and quickly closed the door behind her.
Buck was beside himself. He knew they were going to lose the baby and he was terrified he would lose Beth too. The first scream caught everyone off guard. The second scream had Buck running for the room his wife was in. Buck suddenly felt hands and arms holding him back. He was struggling with all his might to get to Beth as the screams became more urgent. It took Sam, Jimmy, Cody, Kid and Zander to hold Buck back from the examining room.
"Beth! Beth! Please let me get to her. She needs me!" Buck yelled as he broke down in to tears but was still trying to get into the room. Buck was dragged out of the waiting room by the five men that were his family. They brought him over to the jail and locked him in a cell for his own safety and so the doctor could help Beth without Buck's screams. Buck begged his friends to let him out but they all stood their ground. He sat down on the cot in the cell and put his head in his hands and began to cry in earnest. Buck was sobbing like he had when he was a little child after his tormenters in the village had beaten him. He never wanted to feel his mother's embrace more than he did at that moment.
Back at the doctor’s office Lou, Rachel, Anna and Teaspoon sat in the waiting room cringing at each scream Beth let out. They were sure that Beth was dying and they were sure Buck would not make it back from this if it happened. The women knew a miscarriage was painful but the way Beth was screaming was not like any miscarriage they had witnessed or had themselves.
"Why is she screaming like that? It's not normal." Lou asked those around her, frightened that her friend would die.
"I don't know Louise, but your right it's not normal." Rachel replied to Lou and she moved to sit next to her taking her hand.
Teaspoon sat with Anna as she cried for her daughter. Beth let out a long wail and then there was no sound coming from the room. Anna jumped up and fainted right there where she stood. Teaspoon helped the woman up into a chair and was fanning her with a piece of paper off the nurse's desk.
Just then the door opened and the doctor came out his shirt front covered in blood. Lou started to cry harder than she was before.
Eighty
"Is Buck here? We need to see him." The doctor asked Teaspoon.
"They had to bring him over to the jail so he wouldn't hurt himself or anyone else. You must have heard him screaming." Teaspoon said.
"Yes, we did. Could you go get him? I think it will be better if he comes here and sees for himself." The doctor said cryptically.
Teaspoon left a still unconscious Anna in the doctor's care and went to the jail across the street. Buck jumped up when he saw Teaspoon.
"Teaspoon is Beth alright? Please let me out. I need to see her. Please Teaspoon." Buck said in desperation.
"Kid let him out the doctor wants to see him." Was all Teaspoon said.
Kid let Buck out of the cell and he bounded out of the jail. The others slowly made their way to the doctor's office.
Buck was met by the doctor who asked Buck to follow him into the room where he was taking care of Beth. The doctor said nothing leaving Buck scared out of his mind. The doctor opened the door and Buck saw Beth lying in bed with a big smile on her face. The nurse was in the corner with her back turned to him. Buck rushed to Beth's side.
"Beth honey are you alright. Why were you screaming like that? I was so worried. Please tell me is the baby okay?” Buck said so quickly he had to take a deep breath to calm himself down.
"First off I'm fine. A little tired but just fine. The baby's fine and there was a reason I was screaming. She's right over there." Beth said with a sly smile on her face.
Buck was confused. The only person who was there was the nurse. "What? The nurse made you scream like that?"
"No silly the little one she's holding was the one making me scream." Beth said with a giggle.
Right then the nurse turned around with a small bundle in her arms. Nurse Olivia handed the bundle to Buck and a little hand popped up out of the blanket. Buck was so confused at that moment that he just stared at the baby.
"Buck are you alright?' Beth asked. Buck just looked at her with a look as if he thought he had gone crazy.
"Buck to explain all this we have to go back to the day of the first blizzard and the miscarriage. It wasn't really a miscarriage it was a scare like Lou had with Moira. The weight gain wasn't all from food it was the baby growing inside me. When we went to the doctor, he was so nervous because I was his first patient ever that he got all mixed up with the examination and mistakenly said I was almost two months along when I was really seven and a half months along. The baby is so small I only looked like I was gaining weight and was only a few months along. Today when you all thought I was having a miscarriage I was giving birth to our daughter. Do you understand now?" Beth explained to her husband.
Buck looked down at his little baby daughter and saw her for the first time as theirs. She had straight dark brown hair with skin a few shades lighter than his and he noticed for the first time that she had her mother's blue eyes. She was beautiful and she was theirs.
Buck tried to stop the tears that welled up in his eyes but couldn't help when they streamed down his face. "She's beautiful. What should we name her?" Buck said as he kissed the baby then his wife on the forehead.
"I was thinking Erin after my grandmother. And this may sound weird, but I like Miracle for a middle name. Do you like it? Erin Miracle Cross sounds about right don't you think?" Beth said with tear in her eyes.
"I think it's perfect. She is a miracle. She's the best little miracle and she's ours Beth." Buck said beaming at his wife.
Buck made his way out into the waiting room where his entire family waited for news. Buck showed them all Erin Miracle Cross and explained what happened. The whole room was crying including Jimmy, Cody and Sam. Noah James and the children were brought back over when they were told that everything was okay. Noah looked at little Erin with a smile on his face.
"So, what do you think big guy did your Auntie Beth and I do okay with Erin here?" Buck asked his nephew.
"I knew she would be alright. Uncle Ike said so. I saw him in my dream and he was holding her. He said she would be special and for me to look out for her. He said he would look out for her in heaven like her own special angel. Do you believe me Uncle Buck?" Noah said with a questioning smile.
"I do Noah James. I believe you. I'm sure that you will look out for Erin and Uncle Ike will in heaven too." Buck said smiling. Buck stood up and went to the window. "Ike, I know you'll be there when she needs her own special angel. Thank you, my brother." Buck said looking up at the wind blowing through the tree that stands next to the doctor's office. He knew Ike was there with them. All was well.
"They had to bring him over to the jail so he wouldn't hurt himself or anyone else. You must have heard him screaming." Teaspoon said.
"Yes, we did. Could you go get him? I think it will be better if he comes here and sees for himself." The doctor said cryptically.
Teaspoon left a still unconscious Anna in the doctor's care and went to the jail across the street. Buck jumped up when he saw Teaspoon.
"Teaspoon is Beth alright? Please let me out. I need to see her. Please Teaspoon." Buck said in desperation.
"Kid let him out the doctor wants to see him." Was all Teaspoon said.
Kid let Buck out of the cell and he bounded out of the jail. The others slowly made their way to the doctor's office.
Buck was met by the doctor who asked Buck to follow him into the room where he was taking care of Beth. The doctor said nothing leaving Buck scared out of his mind. The doctor opened the door and Buck saw Beth lying in bed with a big smile on her face. The nurse was in the corner with her back turned to him. Buck rushed to Beth's side.
"Beth honey are you alright. Why were you screaming like that? I was so worried. Please tell me is the baby okay?” Buck said so quickly he had to take a deep breath to calm himself down.
"First off I'm fine. A little tired but just fine. The baby's fine and there was a reason I was screaming. She's right over there." Beth said with a sly smile on her face.
Buck was confused. The only person who was there was the nurse. "What? The nurse made you scream like that?"
"No silly the little one she's holding was the one making me scream." Beth said with a giggle.
Right then the nurse turned around with a small bundle in her arms. Nurse Olivia handed the bundle to Buck and a little hand popped up out of the blanket. Buck was so confused at that moment that he just stared at the baby.
"Buck are you alright?' Beth asked. Buck just looked at her with a look as if he thought he had gone crazy.
"Buck to explain all this we have to go back to the day of the first blizzard and the miscarriage. It wasn't really a miscarriage it was a scare like Lou had with Moira. The weight gain wasn't all from food it was the baby growing inside me. When we went to the doctor, he was so nervous because I was his first patient ever that he got all mixed up with the examination and mistakenly said I was almost two months along when I was really seven and a half months along. The baby is so small I only looked like I was gaining weight and was only a few months along. Today when you all thought I was having a miscarriage I was giving birth to our daughter. Do you understand now?" Beth explained to her husband.
Buck looked down at his little baby daughter and saw her for the first time as theirs. She had straight dark brown hair with skin a few shades lighter than his and he noticed for the first time that she had her mother's blue eyes. She was beautiful and she was theirs.
Buck tried to stop the tears that welled up in his eyes but couldn't help when they streamed down his face. "She's beautiful. What should we name her?" Buck said as he kissed the baby then his wife on the forehead.
"I was thinking Erin after my grandmother. And this may sound weird, but I like Miracle for a middle name. Do you like it? Erin Miracle Cross sounds about right don't you think?" Beth said with tear in her eyes.
"I think it's perfect. She is a miracle. She's the best little miracle and she's ours Beth." Buck said beaming at his wife.
Buck made his way out into the waiting room where his entire family waited for news. Buck showed them all Erin Miracle Cross and explained what happened. The whole room was crying including Jimmy, Cody and Sam. Noah James and the children were brought back over when they were told that everything was okay. Noah looked at little Erin with a smile on his face.
"So, what do you think big guy did your Auntie Beth and I do okay with Erin here?" Buck asked his nephew.
"I knew she would be alright. Uncle Ike said so. I saw him in my dream and he was holding her. He said she would be special and for me to look out for her. He said he would look out for her in heaven like her own special angel. Do you believe me Uncle Buck?" Noah said with a questioning smile.
"I do Noah James. I believe you. I'm sure that you will look out for Erin and Uncle Ike will in heaven too." Buck said smiling. Buck stood up and went to the window. "Ike, I know you'll be there when she needs her own special angel. Thank you, my brother." Buck said looking up at the wind blowing through the tree that stands next to the doctor's office. He knew Ike was there with them. All was well.