Little Faith
A/N This is an AU about Buck. It starts before Buck and Ike joined the express.
The ending is a different from what I usually write. I hope you like it. S.
The ending is a different from what I usually write. I hope you like it. S.
Chapter One
Four figures stood at the gate of The Blessed Mothers Mission School. A nun, a girl and two boys were discussing what their plans will be when the leave the mission school shortly after their talk.
Buck Cross, Ike McSwain and Lucy Powers have been friends since they all came around the same time to the mission school. The children of the mission made fun of all three of them for their differences they had from the other children. Buck was half-Kiowa Indian and had to learn English because he only had a small grasp of the language before he came to the mission. The children were afraid to play with him and he was picked on by the older children. Ike had lost his hair to scarlet fever at a young age and lost his voice to trauma after seeing his parents and sister killed by outlaws. Ike pretended to be crazy by making faces and drooling at the kids in the mission. Buck and Ike became friends when Ike jumped into a fight where Buck was being beaten up by bullies during a visit to town. After, as they lie in the infirmary healing from their wounds, Buck asked Ike if he wanted to learn Indian sign language. Ike was instantly curious and said, yes. They became best friends and closer than brothers. Lucy was the last to arrive out of the three friends. Lucy had a bad leg that she needed a crutch to get around. None of the girls would play with her and the boys teased her. One day one of the older boys pushed Lucy down in front of Ike and Buck. They saw the tears in her big green eyes and they got into a fight with the older boys when they tried to help her up. After that Buck and Ike made sure Lucy was with them as much as possible so the boys wouldn’t harm her. The nuns called them the “Trio”. There was no record of Buck or Lucy’s birth dates so the nuns decided to let them all go into the world at the same time on Ike’s sixteenth birthday.
They talked to Sister Mary Frances about going off together to find work and a place to stay. She gave them all a hug. “God bless you children and stay safe,” the nun said. Buck and Ike each had a horse to ride having saved their money from doing chores for the mission. The boys mounted their horses and Buck leaned down to give Lucy a hand to help her up on his horse. When she was settled, they rode away from the mission school and into an unsure future.
Buck Cross, Ike McSwain and Lucy Powers have been friends since they all came around the same time to the mission school. The children of the mission made fun of all three of them for their differences they had from the other children. Buck was half-Kiowa Indian and had to learn English because he only had a small grasp of the language before he came to the mission. The children were afraid to play with him and he was picked on by the older children. Ike had lost his hair to scarlet fever at a young age and lost his voice to trauma after seeing his parents and sister killed by outlaws. Ike pretended to be crazy by making faces and drooling at the kids in the mission. Buck and Ike became friends when Ike jumped into a fight where Buck was being beaten up by bullies during a visit to town. After, as they lie in the infirmary healing from their wounds, Buck asked Ike if he wanted to learn Indian sign language. Ike was instantly curious and said, yes. They became best friends and closer than brothers. Lucy was the last to arrive out of the three friends. Lucy had a bad leg that she needed a crutch to get around. None of the girls would play with her and the boys teased her. One day one of the older boys pushed Lucy down in front of Ike and Buck. They saw the tears in her big green eyes and they got into a fight with the older boys when they tried to help her up. After that Buck and Ike made sure Lucy was with them as much as possible so the boys wouldn’t harm her. The nuns called them the “Trio”. There was no record of Buck or Lucy’s birth dates so the nuns decided to let them all go into the world at the same time on Ike’s sixteenth birthday.
They talked to Sister Mary Frances about going off together to find work and a place to stay. She gave them all a hug. “God bless you children and stay safe,” the nun said. Buck and Ike each had a horse to ride having saved their money from doing chores for the mission. The boys mounted their horses and Buck leaned down to give Lucy a hand to help her up on his horse. When she was settled, they rode away from the mission school and into an unsure future.
Chapter Two
Buck, Ike and Lucy came across a farm and went to ask if the farmer needed any odd jobs done. The farmer took one look at Lucy’s leg and said he didn’t have work for a cripple. Then he looked at Buck and said, “I ain’t gonna let no injun work my farm.” Looking at Ike he said, “But you, boy, I could use to help gettin' the crops in for the season. You up to the work?" Ike looked at Buck whose eyes said 'Take the job we'll be fine'. With a smile to Buck and Lucy he nodded to the farmer and shook his hand. Buck told Ike they would be camping in the field by the creek a couple of miles back so he could find them there when he was done.
Buck and Lucy made camp in the field by the creek. Buck had always had strong feelings for Lucy. Little did Buck know that Lucy had strong feelings for him also and had wanted to act on them for a, long time.
"Buck, why don't we take your bed roll and go sit down by the creek?" Lucy suggested.
"Alright," Buck said as he grabbed his bed roll and took Lucy's hand in his as they walked down to the water.
Buck spread out his bed roll and helped Lucy sit down. Buck sat next to Lucy feeling nervous. He fidgeted with his hands. Lucy put one of her hands-on top of Buck's moving hands and said "Buck have you ever kissed a girl before?"
Buck looked at her with his eyes as big as saucers. "Umm, No not really. Why?" He replied anxiously.
Lucy looked at Buck with a curious look on her face. "I was just wondering if you would like to kiss me," she said playing with the hem of her skirt.
Lucy reached over and put her hand on Buck's face and pulled him toward her. She placed her lips on his and gave him a tentative kiss. Buck put his hand behind Lucy's head and pulled her closer as their kiss grew more intense.
Lucy took her hands and put them on Buck's shirt and started to unbutton it. She had it completely unbuttoned when Buck realized what she was doing. Buck pulled away and was about to say they had to stop when Lucy put her fingers to his lips and said, "Buck, it’s okay. I really want this." With that said, Lucy slipped Buck's shirt off and started kissing his chest.
Then Lucy started taking off her own clothes while Buck, worked on the rest of his. Lucy lay down on the blanket and pulled Buck on top of her. They really didn't know what to do so they fumbled around a bit, but then they became one and the world seemed to stop. Afterward they lay there just looking at each other in a daze. When it started to get cool, they got dressed and decided it was better not to tell Ike about this just yet. It was still too new in their minds and they were too embarrassed to tell Ike right then.
Ike came back a day later with a bag of food and some money for them to live off of for a while. They decided it was time to move on. Staying in one place too long could mean danger for them because of the way people treated the three of them.
Buck and Lucy made camp in the field by the creek. Buck had always had strong feelings for Lucy. Little did Buck know that Lucy had strong feelings for him also and had wanted to act on them for a, long time.
"Buck, why don't we take your bed roll and go sit down by the creek?" Lucy suggested.
"Alright," Buck said as he grabbed his bed roll and took Lucy's hand in his as they walked down to the water.
Buck spread out his bed roll and helped Lucy sit down. Buck sat next to Lucy feeling nervous. He fidgeted with his hands. Lucy put one of her hands-on top of Buck's moving hands and said "Buck have you ever kissed a girl before?"
Buck looked at her with his eyes as big as saucers. "Umm, No not really. Why?" He replied anxiously.
Lucy looked at Buck with a curious look on her face. "I was just wondering if you would like to kiss me," she said playing with the hem of her skirt.
Lucy reached over and put her hand on Buck's face and pulled him toward her. She placed her lips on his and gave him a tentative kiss. Buck put his hand behind Lucy's head and pulled her closer as their kiss grew more intense.
Lucy took her hands and put them on Buck's shirt and started to unbutton it. She had it completely unbuttoned when Buck realized what she was doing. Buck pulled away and was about to say they had to stop when Lucy put her fingers to his lips and said, "Buck, it’s okay. I really want this." With that said, Lucy slipped Buck's shirt off and started kissing his chest.
Then Lucy started taking off her own clothes while Buck, worked on the rest of his. Lucy lay down on the blanket and pulled Buck on top of her. They really didn't know what to do so they fumbled around a bit, but then they became one and the world seemed to stop. Afterward they lay there just looking at each other in a daze. When it started to get cool, they got dressed and decided it was better not to tell Ike about this just yet. It was still too new in their minds and they were too embarrassed to tell Ike right then.
Ike came back a day later with a bag of food and some money for them to live off of for a while. They decided it was time to move on. Staying in one place too long could mean danger for them because of the way people treated the three of them.
Chapter Three
The trio headed west. A few weeks later they came to a town called Cutler Ridge. Lucy went off to see if the local laundress needed any help. Buck and Ike went on their way to the livery to see if there was any work available in town or in the surrounding area. The two boys walked past the saloon just as two men came out having a brawl. Buck pulled Ike out of the way and they just watched like everyone else that is until a saloon girl got involved and ended up falling into Buck's arms unconscious Ike knelt down trying to wake her up. Buck picked her up in his arms. The two men having the fight saw that an Indian has picked her up and a bald kid was trying to wake her up. They were furious that the likes of them would even touch the woman they were fighting over.
"What the hell do you think you’re doin’ Injun!?! That there's our woman," the bigger of the two asked. Buck gently put down the saloon girl on the bench beside them.
"We don't want any trouble, mister, she fell and I helped her up. That's all," Buck said with his hands up not wanting to upset the men more by having his hands near his gun.
"That's where you're wrong breed. You and your friend wanted her for yourselves and were making a move on her. I know how sneaky you injuns is." With that said the bigger man hit Buck knocking him out. Then they started in on Ike. They beat the tar out of them and left them in an alley to wake up. When they woke up the bigger man said, "You two better leave town and never come back or we'll kill ya. Now git.”
*What about Lucy?* Ike signed to Buck.
Buck was at a loss he didn't know where to look for Lucy and they couldn't stay there any longer. "I don't know Ike. I think we have to leave her. There's no way we can find her in time to get out of here and not get killed. I hate to do this to her but we'll look for her in every town we go to. I promise we'll find her," Buck said as they walked quickly to their horses.
Buck felt like he wanted to cry. The last thing he wanted to do was leave Lucy behind. He was falling in love with her and he didn't want to lose her.
Buck and Ike were a long way out of town when Lucy realized they had left her. She found out the reason why from the sheriff. He told her there was nothing he could do to stop the men from hurting her friends. 'A likely story if I ever heard one,' Lucy thought as she made her way back to the laundress. She had made friends with the kindly older lady named Suzy and when she found out what happened she offered her a room in her home for a small fee taken out of her pay from working for the woman.
"What the hell do you think you’re doin’ Injun!?! That there's our woman," the bigger of the two asked. Buck gently put down the saloon girl on the bench beside them.
"We don't want any trouble, mister, she fell and I helped her up. That's all," Buck said with his hands up not wanting to upset the men more by having his hands near his gun.
"That's where you're wrong breed. You and your friend wanted her for yourselves and were making a move on her. I know how sneaky you injuns is." With that said the bigger man hit Buck knocking him out. Then they started in on Ike. They beat the tar out of them and left them in an alley to wake up. When they woke up the bigger man said, "You two better leave town and never come back or we'll kill ya. Now git.”
*What about Lucy?* Ike signed to Buck.
Buck was at a loss he didn't know where to look for Lucy and they couldn't stay there any longer. "I don't know Ike. I think we have to leave her. There's no way we can find her in time to get out of here and not get killed. I hate to do this to her but we'll look for her in every town we go to. I promise we'll find her," Buck said as they walked quickly to their horses.
Buck felt like he wanted to cry. The last thing he wanted to do was leave Lucy behind. He was falling in love with her and he didn't want to lose her.
Buck and Ike were a long way out of town when Lucy realized they had left her. She found out the reason why from the sheriff. He told her there was nothing he could do to stop the men from hurting her friends. 'A likely story if I ever heard one,' Lucy thought as she made her way back to the laundress. She had made friends with the kindly older lady named Suzy and when she found out what happened she offered her a room in her home for a small fee taken out of her pay from working for the woman.
Two months went by and Lucy wasn't feeling too well. She couldn't keep anything down and she felt nauseous all the time. Suzy had an idea what was ailing her, but wanted to make sure so she sent Lucy to the town doc to see what was wrong.
Lucy just stared at the doctor. "Are you sure doctor? Is it certain?" Lucy asked in a state of shock.
"I'd say you were two months along Miss Powers. Do you know who the father is?” The doctor asked.
"Yes, it can only be one boy. He was my first and only," Lucy said as she began to cry.
The doctor looked at Lucy feeling sorry for her. "Do you have any family here abouts?" the doctor questioned concerned for her health and the health of her baby
"No. My family is dead. The only family I've known for years now is the two boys I was traveling with and the nuns at the mission school I lived at after my family died." Lucy said sniffling.
"Maybe its best you contact the nuns at that mission school and see if they can help you. I don't think Miss Suzy will be very happy. She's a God, fearing woman and doesn't take kindly to unwed mothers," the doctor said in a grave voice.
Lucy went back and told Miss Suzy who promptly threw her out of her house and said, "Don't come back!”
Lucy sat on the boardwalk and cried. She knew if Buck were there, he would marry her without another thought, but Buck wasn't there and she was all alone. She decided to use the money she saved to take the stage back to the mission school to ask the nuns for their help.
Lucy got to the mission school and told the nuns what had happened and that she was expecting Buck's child. The nuns did the only thing they could do they put her in sequester in a back room of the mission and hide her until the birth of her baby.
Lucy just stared at the doctor. "Are you sure doctor? Is it certain?" Lucy asked in a state of shock.
"I'd say you were two months along Miss Powers. Do you know who the father is?” The doctor asked.
"Yes, it can only be one boy. He was my first and only," Lucy said as she began to cry.
The doctor looked at Lucy feeling sorry for her. "Do you have any family here abouts?" the doctor questioned concerned for her health and the health of her baby
"No. My family is dead. The only family I've known for years now is the two boys I was traveling with and the nuns at the mission school I lived at after my family died." Lucy said sniffling.
"Maybe its best you contact the nuns at that mission school and see if they can help you. I don't think Miss Suzy will be very happy. She's a God, fearing woman and doesn't take kindly to unwed mothers," the doctor said in a grave voice.
Lucy went back and told Miss Suzy who promptly threw her out of her house and said, "Don't come back!”
Lucy sat on the boardwalk and cried. She knew if Buck were there, he would marry her without another thought, but Buck wasn't there and she was all alone. She decided to use the money she saved to take the stage back to the mission school to ask the nuns for their help.
Lucy got to the mission school and told the nuns what had happened and that she was expecting Buck's child. The nuns did the only thing they could do they put her in sequester in a back room of the mission and hide her until the birth of her baby.
Chapter Four
Sweetwater, Nebraska Territory
~Approximately one year after the baby was conceived~
Buck, Ike and Lou were loading supplies for the station onto the buckboard when they heard the stage rolling into town. They always stopped to see who was coming into their town. Lou called it, 'people watching'. Buck came out of Tompkins store with the last load of supplies. He looked up to see who was getting off the stage and his heart almost stopped. It was Lucy. He couldn't believe it.
He began to run to the stage yelling her name. "LUCY! LUCY!"
Lucy looked up from something in the stage and saw Buck running towards her. She let out a high, pitched squeal of joy. Buck hugged Lucy.
"Oh, Buck I'm so glad I found you. The nun's told me where you were and I just had to come." Lucy said with a big smile on her face.
"How did the nuns know where I was?" Buck asked totally confused.
Ike thumped his chest three times to get Buck's attention. *I've been keeping in touch with Sister Mary Frances. She knew you were with me but, she never told me that Lucy was there* Ike signed quickly.
Lucy gave Ike a big hug and then she had her head back in the stage. Buck was wondering what she was doing. Lucy leaned in further into the stage and came out with a wicker basket.
"What's in the basket?" Buck asked.
"Your daughter Faith," Lucy answered. Lucy pulled back the blanket covering the baby and Buck saw a miniature female version of himself. Faith had straight dark brown hair, big chocolate brown eyes and sun kissed golden skin. She even had his mouth. The minute he saw her he remembered the afternoon at the creek with Lucy. He had a daughter. He was shocked.
Lucy handed Buck the basket which he held like it would break at any moment. He looked down at Faith and she was staring at him while cooing and gurgling. He couldn't believe he actually had a daughter. Buck and Ike walked Lucy back the buckboard and introduced Lou to Lucy. Lou eyed the girl wearily. She had always been protective of the boys and after what happened with, Kathleen Devlin she was extra cautious of any girl that had her eye on Buck.
"Lucy Powers this is Lou McCloud. Lou this is our old friend from the mission school and to my surprise the mother of my baby daughter, Faith," Buck said as he held out the basket to show Lou.
Lou looked in the basket and saw the most precious baby she had ever seen. She now believed that this was Buck's baby. "She's beautiful, Buck. She looks just like you. She even has your mouth," Lou said still a little weary of this girl that didn't let Buck know about his own daughter until now.
"It is uncanny how much Faith looks like Buck. The only thing that resembles me is her feet." Lucy said laughing.
Buck and Ike started laughing too.
"How old is she?" Lou asked Lucy.
"She's three months old. This is a funny thing too. She was born on the Fourth of July. The nun's said she had either a very patriotic soul or had the worst timing coming into the world because the children were jumping to go see the fireworks in town and I went into labor and two of the nun's had to stay back with me and the doctor. It was pure chaos. Her first breath was taken as the first firework went off in the sky," Lucy told the three of them.
At that moment Faith let them know she was there and being ignored with a wail that made the horse's whinny. Buck jumped and started rocking the basket as he had seen mothers around town do. To their surprise Faith quieted down in a matter of minutes.
"She’s usually so hard to get settled down. She must really like you Buck," Lucy said with a strange look on her face.
Ike got their attention. *We should really be getting back to the station. Rachel will be waiting on the supplies. Buck, aren’t you going to invite Lucy and Faith to the station to get them something to eat and get settled in with Rachel?* Ike signed elbowing his best friend in the ribs.
Buck looked up from his daughter to look at Ike. "Huh? Can you say that again Ike I didn't see?" Buck asked Ike.
Ike signed his question again and Buck turned crimson. "Sorry Lucy. We can take the buckboard."
Buck put Lucy's bags in the back of the buckboard and helped Lucy up into the seat handing her the basket and her crutch when she was settled. Then Buck climbed up and took the reins and started back to the station.
Chapter Five
They all arrived back at the station where Cody, Kid and Jimmy were working on the barn door. They stopped to help with the supplies when they saw Buck helping Lucy off the buckboard. Rachel and Teaspoon appeared when they saw they had company. "Who's your friend?" Teaspoon asked.
"This is Lucy Powers. She was at the mission school with Ike and me. We left together but got separated. Lucy this is Teaspoon Hunter the station manager and this here's Rachel Dunne our station caretaker, that there is Jimmy Hickok, Billy Cody and The Kid. Noah's out on a run but he'll be back by supper."
"What's in the basket, Buck?" Cody asked. As if on cue Faith let out a wail that had the boys covering their ears. Buck started to rock the basket and Faith quieted down again. "I take it it's a baby." Cody said with a smirk on his face.
Rachel and Teaspoon went over to Buck and looked in the basket. Rachel put a hand over her mouth and smiled. "Well I guess that's not Ike's baby, Buck." Teaspoon said jokingly. "Sure, do look an awful lot like you. That's for sure."
"Is it a boy or a girl? What's the baby's name and how old is he or she?" Rachel asked in succession.
"She's a girl. Her name is Faith and she's 3 months old. Oh, I think it's time for a feeding do you mind if I go inside so I can nurse her?" Lucy said when Faith started crying again.
"Sure, you can go into the main house. Buck why don't you bring the baby in for Lucy and get them settled," Rachel suggested. Buck got bright red at the thought of Lucy nursing little Faith in front of him.
"This way Lucy," Buck said as he carried the basket under one arm and one of Lucy's bags in the other hand while she carried the smaller of the two.
Once Buck had Lucy bags in her room, he came downstairs to find that Lucy had the top of her dress undone and Faith suckling at her breast. Buck's mouth went dry and he just stood there for a minute not knowing what to say. Lucy looked up and saw Buck standing there and smiled. "Buck it's not like you haven't seen my breasts before. Faith was the result of what happened that day. Maybe you don't remember it as, well as I do," Lucy said a little miffed.
Buck turned red again and sat down next to Lucy. "I remember that day very well. I just wish you had gotten in contact with me sooner. I could have helped in so many ways. One thing I could have done is marry you so you wouldn't have to be alone through all this," Buck said sadly. "Did you have anyone there to help you while you were carrying Faith?" Buck asked feeling like a heel for leaving Lucy behind.
"I went back to the mission school and told the nuns my situation. They said I could stay, but I would have to be sequestered for the remainder of my pregnancy. The sisters were very kind to me but, it was lonely. I missed you Buck," Lucy said with tears in her eyes.
"Lucy if I had known I would have been there to get you and take you back here," Buck said guiltily. "You said the nuns told you were I was. Why didn't you send a letter telling me you were with child? I would have dropped everything to get to you. Why did you wait to come?" Buck asked trying not to sound like he was accusing Lucy.
"I was scared. I wasn't sure you wanted me with you. You left remember," Lucy said in an accusatory manner when Faith began to fuss. “Will you hold her while I button up my bodice?” Lucy asked Buck.
Buck looked at her with a look of fear and panic. “Umm, uh yeah I guess,” Buck said as Lucy handed Buck his daughter. Buck realized this was the first time he was holding his baby girl without the basket between them. Tears came to Buck’s eyes and he had to turn away to get himself together. Faith settled down immediately and stated sucking on her fist. Buck would have his talk with Lucy later when things had calmed down and Faith was not in either of their arms.
"This is Lucy Powers. She was at the mission school with Ike and me. We left together but got separated. Lucy this is Teaspoon Hunter the station manager and this here's Rachel Dunne our station caretaker, that there is Jimmy Hickok, Billy Cody and The Kid. Noah's out on a run but he'll be back by supper."
"What's in the basket, Buck?" Cody asked. As if on cue Faith let out a wail that had the boys covering their ears. Buck started to rock the basket and Faith quieted down again. "I take it it's a baby." Cody said with a smirk on his face.
Rachel and Teaspoon went over to Buck and looked in the basket. Rachel put a hand over her mouth and smiled. "Well I guess that's not Ike's baby, Buck." Teaspoon said jokingly. "Sure, do look an awful lot like you. That's for sure."
"Is it a boy or a girl? What's the baby's name and how old is he or she?" Rachel asked in succession.
"She's a girl. Her name is Faith and she's 3 months old. Oh, I think it's time for a feeding do you mind if I go inside so I can nurse her?" Lucy said when Faith started crying again.
"Sure, you can go into the main house. Buck why don't you bring the baby in for Lucy and get them settled," Rachel suggested. Buck got bright red at the thought of Lucy nursing little Faith in front of him.
"This way Lucy," Buck said as he carried the basket under one arm and one of Lucy's bags in the other hand while she carried the smaller of the two.
Once Buck had Lucy bags in her room, he came downstairs to find that Lucy had the top of her dress undone and Faith suckling at her breast. Buck's mouth went dry and he just stood there for a minute not knowing what to say. Lucy looked up and saw Buck standing there and smiled. "Buck it's not like you haven't seen my breasts before. Faith was the result of what happened that day. Maybe you don't remember it as, well as I do," Lucy said a little miffed.
Buck turned red again and sat down next to Lucy. "I remember that day very well. I just wish you had gotten in contact with me sooner. I could have helped in so many ways. One thing I could have done is marry you so you wouldn't have to be alone through all this," Buck said sadly. "Did you have anyone there to help you while you were carrying Faith?" Buck asked feeling like a heel for leaving Lucy behind.
"I went back to the mission school and told the nuns my situation. They said I could stay, but I would have to be sequestered for the remainder of my pregnancy. The sisters were very kind to me but, it was lonely. I missed you Buck," Lucy said with tears in her eyes.
"Lucy if I had known I would have been there to get you and take you back here," Buck said guiltily. "You said the nuns told you were I was. Why didn't you send a letter telling me you were with child? I would have dropped everything to get to you. Why did you wait to come?" Buck asked trying not to sound like he was accusing Lucy.
"I was scared. I wasn't sure you wanted me with you. You left remember," Lucy said in an accusatory manner when Faith began to fuss. “Will you hold her while I button up my bodice?” Lucy asked Buck.
Buck looked at her with a look of fear and panic. “Umm, uh yeah I guess,” Buck said as Lucy handed Buck his daughter. Buck realized this was the first time he was holding his baby girl without the basket between them. Tears came to Buck’s eyes and he had to turn away to get himself together. Faith settled down immediately and stated sucking on her fist. Buck would have his talk with Lucy later when things had calmed down and Faith was not in either of their arms.
Chapter Six
At supper that night Lucy regaled the express family with tales of her, Buck and Ike while at the mission school. After dinner Lucy fed Faith and went to bed because it had been a very long day for both of them.
Sometime during the early morning hours Buck woke with a start. He instantly went to check on Lucy and Faith. Buck made his way to the main house and into the room Lucy and Faith were staying in. That’s where he saw Faith’s basket with the baby sleeping peacefully, but Lucy was nowhere to be found. Buck found a note on her pillow with his name on it. He lit a lamp, opened it and began to read it.
Sometime during the early morning hours Buck woke with a start. He instantly went to check on Lucy and Faith. Buck made his way to the main house and into the room Lucy and Faith were staying in. That’s where he saw Faith’s basket with the baby sleeping peacefully, but Lucy was nowhere to be found. Buck found a note on her pillow with his name on it. He lit a lamp, opened it and began to read it.
Dear Buck,
I’m sorry to have to do this to you, but this was my only chance at happiness. I met a man in St. Joe he says he loves me and wants to marry me. I didn’t tell him about Faith as he doesn’t like children or Indians. He said he would take me back east where his law practice is located. I love Faith, but cannot take care of her on my own. That’s why I brought her to you. I knew you would take care of her with all the love in the world. The man I met, Jeremy, is a good man and I cannot pass up this chance at a normal life. Being an unmarried girl with a child is more than frowned upon as you know. Most people won’t even let me sit next to them on the stage once they get a look at Faith. I’m doing this for Faith’s and my own good. Please tell her when she grows up that I loved her and left to give her a better life. She is a sweet baby as you saw yesterday. Don’t worry about me. Jeremy is picking me up here in his buckboard in a few minutes. Please Buck, keep her safe and loved. This is for the best. I know I’m doing the right thing. I did love you once, Buck. Please know that.
Lucy
Buck sat staring at the note for a few seconds before crumpling it and throwing it across the room. His anger and pain at once more being "used" by a woman he thought had truly cared for him left as quickly as it came when Faith's cries of hunger filled the room. Picking up the baby, Buck slowly made his way to Rachel's room. He did his best to hush the crying infant as he knocked on Rachel's door.
Rachel pulled the door open. "What is it?" she asked rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she pulled on her robe.
"I don't know what to do for her," Buck said. "Lucy’s gone and..." he just looked at Rachel as words failed him.
Rachel read the hurt in his eyes. "Let's get her downstairs and see if we can find something to feed her with."
Buck nodded and carefully made his way to the kitchen. He instinctively began to talk softly to the child in Kiowa - whispering softly to her all the gentle, loving things his mother used to say to him.
Rachel pulled the door open. "What is it?" she asked rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she pulled on her robe.
"I don't know what to do for her," Buck said. "Lucy’s gone and..." he just looked at Rachel as words failed him.
Rachel read the hurt in his eyes. "Let's get her downstairs and see if we can find something to feed her with."
Buck nodded and carefully made his way to the kitchen. He instinctively began to talk softly to the child in Kiowa - whispering softly to her all the gentle, loving things his mother used to say to him.
Chapter Seven
After that night, Rachel started a routine for little Faith. She had Lou or one of the boys go and get fresh goats, milk from a farm nearby for the baby to drink every day. Buck insisted on being a hand’s on parent and wanted to learn everything he could to be a good father. He started calling himself Ta around the baby which meant, father in Kiowa and the others followed suit. Soon he was no longer called Buck in the presence of the riders, Teaspoon and Rachel. He was now Ta. Buck also had a little nickname for Faith. It was Bunny because when she was going to cry, she would scrunch her nose up like a bunny. It stuck and he called her Bunny all the time. Buck had many a sleepless night with Faith who wanted to be awake during the night and sleep most of the day. Jimmy joked that maybe the baby was Cody's. Buck didn't think it was funny. They all spent time with Faith when Buck had to go on a run. Uncle Ike seemed to be quite taken by the little baby as was Aunt Lou. The others loved her too, but could get very tired of her crying when Buck was away for any amount of time. Grampa Teaspoon and Gramma Rachel doted on Little Faith. Under Rachel and Ike's tutelage Buck was an old hand at diapering, feeding and burping in no time at all. Buck had fallen in love with his child the moment he looked at her and that love just grew into a bond so deep it could never be broken. As the weeks passed Buck was exhausted from taking his regular runs and taking care of Faith almost all the time. Rachel had to put her foot down when Buck fell asleep at the table during supper and nearly fell into his stew. She told him she would take Faith on the nights he had runs, the night after his run and when he had too many chores to finish so he could get some sleep. He reluctantly agreed and his days seemed a little less tiring. Buck was amazed by what his little daughter learned. She started rolling over when on a blanket on the floor and sitting up by herself. He cried when he heard her say "Ta" for the first time. She was starting to get up on her hands and knees and rocking back and forth and trying to crawl.
One day Buck had just come in from a run he went to the house he now shared with Rachel and Faith. He was getting Faith's bottle for after lunch and he went to walk back over to her and saw that she wasn't where he left her. He panicked and yelled "Faith, where are you Bunny?" He heard her across the room crawling up the stairs. He raced over to her and picked her up and kissed her little face. "You're crawling now Bunny. You're Ta's big girl." Faith then drooled all over him and said "TATATATATATATA" then let out a little squeal. Buck was so proud of his little Bunny that he took her over to the bunkhouse to show everyone what she could do. She went straight for Uncle Ike, who picked her up and kissed her belly as she tried to get his bandana off. Buck’s life had never been so full of happiness. He thanked the gods for his daughter every day.
One day Buck had just come in from a run he went to the house he now shared with Rachel and Faith. He was getting Faith's bottle for after lunch and he went to walk back over to her and saw that she wasn't where he left her. He panicked and yelled "Faith, where are you Bunny?" He heard her across the room crawling up the stairs. He raced over to her and picked her up and kissed her little face. "You're crawling now Bunny. You're Ta's big girl." Faith then drooled all over him and said "TATATATATATATA" then let out a little squeal. Buck was so proud of his little Bunny that he took her over to the bunkhouse to show everyone what she could do. She went straight for Uncle Ike, who picked her up and kissed her belly as she tried to get his bandana off. Buck’s life had never been so full of happiness. He thanked the gods for his daughter every day.
Chapter Eight
One day Teaspoon got a letter from the Territorial Governor that said he was to escort a prisoner by the name of Emory Pike to Ft. Laramie for hanging. Teaspoon found out that Pike’s brother Frank was holding his surrogate daughter Amanda O’Connell hostage in exchange for his brother. Teaspoon had Jimmy, Noah and Buck along with a deputy named Hack bring, Emory Pike to hang in Ft. Laramie. Hack, was from a town called Benton where Emory Pike was being held before being transported to Sweetwater. Teaspoon, Kid and Cody went after Frank Pike to try and rescue Amanda.
Buck left with a heavy heart knowing he may not come back to his daughter. Saying good-bye to Faith was the hardest thing Buck ever had to do in his life. Teaspoon and the other riders also had a hard time saying good-bye to Faith. Teaspoon told Buck if anything happened to him that he would raise Faith as if she was his own. All of the riders and Rachel made that same pledge to Buck too. Buck gave her one last kiss and hug, and rode off to town to meet everyone at the Marshal’s Office.
While taking Emory Pike to Ft. Laramie someone started shooting at Buck and the boys. Buck tracked the person to their camp. Raising his knife ready to strike he jumped on the person sending them crashing to the ground. What he saw were the biggest most beautiful brown eyes he had ever seen. Buck had not known when he came upon the person that it was a girl about two years younger than he because she was wearing boy’s clothes. He was taken with the girl that he would come to know as Jane Benedict. Jane’s father was killed by Emory Pike and she was trying to shoot at him not Buck and his friends. It only looked like Jane was shooting at them because she was a lousy shot. Jane had a soft gentle look about her and she was intelligent and had a loving spirit. Buck decided that it was best to take Jane to Ft. Laramie with him and they bedded down for the night and would leave in the morning.
Buck left with a heavy heart knowing he may not come back to his daughter. Saying good-bye to Faith was the hardest thing Buck ever had to do in his life. Teaspoon and the other riders also had a hard time saying good-bye to Faith. Teaspoon told Buck if anything happened to him that he would raise Faith as if she was his own. All of the riders and Rachel made that same pledge to Buck too. Buck gave her one last kiss and hug, and rode off to town to meet everyone at the Marshal’s Office.
While taking Emory Pike to Ft. Laramie someone started shooting at Buck and the boys. Buck tracked the person to their camp. Raising his knife ready to strike he jumped on the person sending them crashing to the ground. What he saw were the biggest most beautiful brown eyes he had ever seen. Buck had not known when he came upon the person that it was a girl about two years younger than he because she was wearing boy’s clothes. He was taken with the girl that he would come to know as Jane Benedict. Jane’s father was killed by Emory Pike and she was trying to shoot at him not Buck and his friends. It only looked like Jane was shooting at them because she was a lousy shot. Jane had a soft gentle look about her and she was intelligent and had a loving spirit. Buck decided that it was best to take Jane to Ft. Laramie with him and they bedded down for the night and would leave in the morning.
Buck sat next to Jane as they ate their breakfast. He knew it was improper, but he had to kiss her just once to feel her full lips on his.
Buck put his plate down, took Jane’s plate and looked her straight in the eye. He reached out and touched her face. She did not pull away. Buck leaned forward as Jane leaned in and their lips met in a tentative kiss. Buck pulled back to see what Jane’s reaction was. She was looking at Buck in a way he had seen Lou look at Kid when Kid first found out about Lou being a girl. Buck smiled at her and Jane smiled back. Buck leaned in again touching his lips to hers. This time they deepened the kiss and broke apart breathless. Jane grinned at Buck and giggled as she got up and started getting her things together for their trip to Ft. Laramie. Buck hummed as they saddled the horses and started out on their way.
Buck put his plate down, took Jane’s plate and looked her straight in the eye. He reached out and touched her face. She did not pull away. Buck leaned forward as Jane leaned in and their lips met in a tentative kiss. Buck pulled back to see what Jane’s reaction was. She was looking at Buck in a way he had seen Lou look at Kid when Kid first found out about Lou being a girl. Buck smiled at her and Jane smiled back. Buck leaned in again touching his lips to hers. This time they deepened the kiss and broke apart breathless. Jane grinned at Buck and giggled as she got up and started getting her things together for their trip to Ft. Laramie. Buck hummed as they saddled the horses and started out on their way.
Buck and Jane talked the whole way to Ft. Laramie. They found they had the same taste in books, loved horses, and hated bigotry against anybody different. They became good friends that day. Because they were getting to, be such good friends Buck decided to tell Jane about Faith. He knew this would make or break their friendship, but he had to tell her about the most important person in his life.
“Jane since we’re getting so close and telling about our lives, I have to tell you about someone very special to me. She’s my world.”
Jane was a bit surprised and disappointed that Buck had someone special back home and had kissed her and talked so easily with her like he wasn’t promised to someone.
“Buck, I’m happy for you. You’ve met a girl who you love, but I have to tell you I think it was inappropriate for you to kiss me last night when you are courting someone back home. I think we should part ways and never see each other again,” Jane said on the verge of tears.
Buck was a bit confused for a second then realized what he said. “Oh, no Jane, that isn’t what I meant. I do have a girl in my life but it isn’t what you think.”
“It’s not? I don’t understand.” Jane said utterly baffled.
“The girl in my life is my daughter Faith. She’s almost one year old. Her mother and I were friends from the mission school. We only had one time together and it resulted in Faith. We got separated and her mother came to Sweetwater when Faith was three months old. Her mother left in the middle of the night leaving me a note saying Faith was better off with me. She had found a man who hated babies and Indians and didn’t know about Faith. I’ve been raising Faith since then with the help of Rachel, Teaspoon and the boys. I hope that isn’t a problem for you.”
Jane felt the knot in her stomach go away and she let the breath out she didn’t know she was holding. “I love babies and children. I used to babysit for the preacher and his wife in Falls Church all the time. I would love to meet her one day. It doesn’t bother me at all, Buck. It just shows you’re a trustworthy, responsible, loving father. There could be a whole lot of worse things to be and not much better. I bet you love her more than life itself and you must spoil her rotten. What’s your special name for her? Every daddy has one. My daddy called me his little “Gem” all the time.”
“I’m so glad you understand. Thank you for the compliment. I would love for you to meet her. I would lay down my life for her. She’s is spoiled rotten, but she has the sweetest disposition. I do have a special name for her. It’s Bunny. Her nose wrinkles up like a rabbit’s when she’s about to cry she’s just adorable. She doesn’t call me Dada. She calls me Ta it’s the Kiowa word for father. I hate being away from her. This is the longest I’ve ever been away from her. I hope she’s doing alright.”
“You said your friend Rachel is taking care of her. I’m sure she’s fine. She’ll be real, happy to see you when you get home. Babies don’t have any sense of time so I’m sure Faith will forget you were gone once she sees you. Don’t worry, Buck,” Jane said smiling at him. She didn’t mind that he had a daughter and was very relieved he wasn’t promised to some girl in Sweetwater. Jane really liked Buck and hoped he liked her just as much.
Buck and Jane picked up the pace and rode faster to Ft. Laramie. Buck was very happy that it didn’t bother Jane that he had Faith. He hoped that somehow, they could have more than a friendly relationship. Buck really liked Jane and he was sure that this time he’d found the right girl.
“Jane since we’re getting so close and telling about our lives, I have to tell you about someone very special to me. She’s my world.”
Jane was a bit surprised and disappointed that Buck had someone special back home and had kissed her and talked so easily with her like he wasn’t promised to someone.
“Buck, I’m happy for you. You’ve met a girl who you love, but I have to tell you I think it was inappropriate for you to kiss me last night when you are courting someone back home. I think we should part ways and never see each other again,” Jane said on the verge of tears.
Buck was a bit confused for a second then realized what he said. “Oh, no Jane, that isn’t what I meant. I do have a girl in my life but it isn’t what you think.”
“It’s not? I don’t understand.” Jane said utterly baffled.
“The girl in my life is my daughter Faith. She’s almost one year old. Her mother and I were friends from the mission school. We only had one time together and it resulted in Faith. We got separated and her mother came to Sweetwater when Faith was three months old. Her mother left in the middle of the night leaving me a note saying Faith was better off with me. She had found a man who hated babies and Indians and didn’t know about Faith. I’ve been raising Faith since then with the help of Rachel, Teaspoon and the boys. I hope that isn’t a problem for you.”
Jane felt the knot in her stomach go away and she let the breath out she didn’t know she was holding. “I love babies and children. I used to babysit for the preacher and his wife in Falls Church all the time. I would love to meet her one day. It doesn’t bother me at all, Buck. It just shows you’re a trustworthy, responsible, loving father. There could be a whole lot of worse things to be and not much better. I bet you love her more than life itself and you must spoil her rotten. What’s your special name for her? Every daddy has one. My daddy called me his little “Gem” all the time.”
“I’m so glad you understand. Thank you for the compliment. I would love for you to meet her. I would lay down my life for her. She’s is spoiled rotten, but she has the sweetest disposition. I do have a special name for her. It’s Bunny. Her nose wrinkles up like a rabbit’s when she’s about to cry she’s just adorable. She doesn’t call me Dada. She calls me Ta it’s the Kiowa word for father. I hate being away from her. This is the longest I’ve ever been away from her. I hope she’s doing alright.”
“You said your friend Rachel is taking care of her. I’m sure she’s fine. She’ll be real, happy to see you when you get home. Babies don’t have any sense of time so I’m sure Faith will forget you were gone once she sees you. Don’t worry, Buck,” Jane said smiling at him. She didn’t mind that he had a daughter and was very relieved he wasn’t promised to some girl in Sweetwater. Jane really liked Buck and hoped he liked her just as much.
Buck and Jane picked up the pace and rode faster to Ft. Laramie. Buck was very happy that it didn’t bother Jane that he had Faith. He hoped that somehow, they could have more than a friendly relationship. Buck really liked Jane and he was sure that this time he’d found the right girl.
Chapter Nine
Buck and Jane got to Ft. Laramie and saw Emory Pike hanged. Buck held Jane as they watched. Then things got complicated. Emory Pike was saved by the deputy from Benton with a homemade back brace. Pike promised to bring Hack to the place the gold he stole from Benton was in exchange for letting him go. Pike got away from Hack, getting shot in the process. When Jane and the boys found out Pike wasn’t dead, Jane ran off. Buck tried to go after her, but the other riders stopped him. Jane went after Pike and was camped out for the night when Pike, bleeding severely from his gunshot wound, came upon her campsite with his gun trained on her and she was forced to give him food. He stayed by Jane’s fire for the night when she pulled her gun on him with the intent to kill him. Buck had tracked Jane and found her as Pike pulled his own gun on Jane. Buck convinced Jane not to kill Pike for the sake of the hostage Pike’s brother Frank was holding. Buck took the guns from Pike and Jane. Jane melted into his embrace crying. With Jane by his side Buck tied Pike up in the wagon the outlaw had stolen from Hack and went to find the other riders and Teaspoon on their way to the old mission The Pike Brothers used as a hideout.
The riders, Teaspoon and Hack met up on the way to the mission and devised a plan of attack. They found out that Lou had been taken hostage while trying to infiltrate the mission. Emory Pike died before they took on the bandits. He was their ace in the hole so they made due by tying Pike on his horse to make it look like he was alive. There was a deadly gunfight where Frank Pike and his head man were killed. Amanda and Lou helped by throwing lit sticks of dynamite into the gunfight. The riders and Teaspoon were victorious and everyone including Jane, Lou and Amanda made it back to the rider’s camp safely.
Buck took a walk with Jane along the creek they were camped by. He had something to say to her and he needed to be alone with her.
“Jane, I’d like to stay in touch with you. That is if you want to. Maybe you could come to Sweetwater for an extended visit once you get your father’s affairs in order. I know Rachel and Lou would love another woman around and we could spend more time together while we got to know each other better. I’d like to see where our relationship goes. Do you think you’d want that?”
“Oh, Buck, I would love to stay in touch and come to visit you. I want to see where our relationship goes also.” With this said Jane hugged Buck. Buck pulled back and took her face in his hands and kissed her slow and deep. Buck knew now that this was the girl he would marry. He could feel it in every fiber of his being. Buck ended the kiss and walked Jane back to their camp. He gave Jane the place to write him and Jane did the same. Right before they all left Buck told Jane he would write when he could and for her to send him a letter too.
As the people going to Sweetwater split from the people going to Benton and Falls Church Buck yelled to Jane, “Don’t forget to write me.”
Jane yelled to Buck, “I won’t. Don’t forget to write me either.” Jane waved to Buck happy in the fact that she now had found Buck and had somewhat of a plan in her head as to what she was going to do now that her father was gone.
The riders, Teaspoon and Hack met up on the way to the mission and devised a plan of attack. They found out that Lou had been taken hostage while trying to infiltrate the mission. Emory Pike died before they took on the bandits. He was their ace in the hole so they made due by tying Pike on his horse to make it look like he was alive. There was a deadly gunfight where Frank Pike and his head man were killed. Amanda and Lou helped by throwing lit sticks of dynamite into the gunfight. The riders and Teaspoon were victorious and everyone including Jane, Lou and Amanda made it back to the rider’s camp safely.
Buck took a walk with Jane along the creek they were camped by. He had something to say to her and he needed to be alone with her.
“Jane, I’d like to stay in touch with you. That is if you want to. Maybe you could come to Sweetwater for an extended visit once you get your father’s affairs in order. I know Rachel and Lou would love another woman around and we could spend more time together while we got to know each other better. I’d like to see where our relationship goes. Do you think you’d want that?”
“Oh, Buck, I would love to stay in touch and come to visit you. I want to see where our relationship goes also.” With this said Jane hugged Buck. Buck pulled back and took her face in his hands and kissed her slow and deep. Buck knew now that this was the girl he would marry. He could feel it in every fiber of his being. Buck ended the kiss and walked Jane back to their camp. He gave Jane the place to write him and Jane did the same. Right before they all left Buck told Jane he would write when he could and for her to send him a letter too.
As the people going to Sweetwater split from the people going to Benton and Falls Church Buck yelled to Jane, “Don’t forget to write me.”
Jane yelled to Buck, “I won’t. Don’t forget to write me either.” Jane waved to Buck happy in the fact that she now had found Buck and had somewhat of a plan in her head as to what she was going to do now that her father was gone.
Chapter Ten
Buck and Jane corresponded for a month when Teaspoon got word that the station was going to be moved to a place called Rock Creek. Buck wrote Jane right away and told her the news. He said he would write again once they were settled in the new station.
Kid and Jimmy were sent to Rock Creek to find out how bad the fire that happened at the Pony Express Station was and to see if they needed to purchase new buildings and land. Teaspoon and Cody were the next to arrive in Rock Creek to help with getting the station ready. The Sherriff in Rock Creek was killed and the town’s mayor asked Teaspoon to take the job of marshal as well as station master for the express station. He had been doing double duty in Sweetwater so he saw no problem in taking the extra job as marshal.
With the four of them in Rock Creek, the moving of the station fell to Rachel, Buck, Lou, Ike and Noah. Buck worried how the move would affect Faith. The day of the move Buck put a bonnet on Faith, mounted up while Ike handed Faith to him and they started their journey to Rock Creek.
Faith loved being on horseback with her Ta. Buck, had been putting Faith on his horse since she could sit up by herself. She loved riding with everyone else and was very happy most of the morning and into the early afternoon. When they stopped for lunch Buck gave faith her bottle and sung her a song that his mother had sung to him when he was a child. Buck put her in a blocked off part of the wagon with blankets to pad where she slept in the wagon Ike drove. Buck rode his horse in back of the wagon making sure Faith was alright.
During the night Buck had to take Faith’s crib out of the wagon she could sleep and not crawl away. Faith only had one or two crying fits during their whole journey. That meant everyone got a good night’s sleep every night. Everyone was thankful for Faith’s happy disposition. She had them laughing through the days ride with her squeals of delight and baby talk. She even started patting Buck’s horse like Buck would do every so often. This made their travelling a fun event instead of a boring, tedious job.
Kid and Jimmy were sent to Rock Creek to find out how bad the fire that happened at the Pony Express Station was and to see if they needed to purchase new buildings and land. Teaspoon and Cody were the next to arrive in Rock Creek to help with getting the station ready. The Sherriff in Rock Creek was killed and the town’s mayor asked Teaspoon to take the job of marshal as well as station master for the express station. He had been doing double duty in Sweetwater so he saw no problem in taking the extra job as marshal.
With the four of them in Rock Creek, the moving of the station fell to Rachel, Buck, Lou, Ike and Noah. Buck worried how the move would affect Faith. The day of the move Buck put a bonnet on Faith, mounted up while Ike handed Faith to him and they started their journey to Rock Creek.
Faith loved being on horseback with her Ta. Buck, had been putting Faith on his horse since she could sit up by herself. She loved riding with everyone else and was very happy most of the morning and into the early afternoon. When they stopped for lunch Buck gave faith her bottle and sung her a song that his mother had sung to him when he was a child. Buck put her in a blocked off part of the wagon with blankets to pad where she slept in the wagon Ike drove. Buck rode his horse in back of the wagon making sure Faith was alright.
During the night Buck had to take Faith’s crib out of the wagon she could sleep and not crawl away. Faith only had one or two crying fits during their whole journey. That meant everyone got a good night’s sleep every night. Everyone was thankful for Faith’s happy disposition. She had them laughing through the days ride with her squeals of delight and baby talk. She even started patting Buck’s horse like Buck would do every so often. This made their travelling a fun event instead of a boring, tedious job.
Chapter Eleven
The group arrived in Rock Creek exactly one week after they left Sweetwater. As they rode through town the townspeople watched them like they were performers in a circus act. Many of them pointed at Buck and Faith who was once again riding with her father. Faith being the happy baby she was would laugh and wave at the people. Soon the people of Rock Creek were waving back. This made Buck feel a little less stressed and he hoped that Faith would be accepted in the town.
They pulled up to the new Express station and everyone got off their horses and wagons. Teaspoon, Jimmy, Cody and Kid walked out of the bunkhouse and greeted their friends with hugs and Kid gave Lou a kiss which she didn’t mind at all. Little Faith was so happy to see the family she hadn’t seen for a long while she let out squeals of joy when Grampa Teaspoon and her uncles gave her hugs and kisses. Everyone went on a tour of the new station. Rachel and Buck found out there were three bedrooms in the station house and plenty of room for them with a growing, baby. Now the moving in commenced and everyone settled into the station that was now their home.
They pulled up to the new Express station and everyone got off their horses and wagons. Teaspoon, Jimmy, Cody and Kid walked out of the bunkhouse and greeted their friends with hugs and Kid gave Lou a kiss which she didn’t mind at all. Little Faith was so happy to see the family she hadn’t seen for a long while she let out squeals of joy when Grampa Teaspoon and her uncles gave her hugs and kisses. Everyone went on a tour of the new station. Rachel and Buck found out there were three bedrooms in the station house and plenty of room for them with a growing, baby. Now the moving in commenced and everyone settled into the station that was now their home.
The first night after supper when Buck had put down his little girl to sleep after rocking her and singing to her, he went to the desk in his room and got out his writing paper, pen and ink to write to Jane. Buck told her of their journey there and how much of a joy Faith was during the whole trip. He wrote that he wanted Jane to come to Rock Creek as soon as she could so they could see each other again and she could get to know Faith. Buck finished up his letter with words of love and of the life they could have together if Jane chose it. Buck made sure the letter went out in the next run headed toward to Falls Church.
Buck hadn’t heard from Jane in a month and he wondered why she hadn’t written him back. He worried Jane had found another man in Falls Church. He thought that Jane had figured out that she didn’t want a half-breed with a young daughter for her husband. He thought she thought a readymade family was not what she wanted. He supposed Jane wanted children of her own and not someone else’s baby. Buck became melancholy only coming out of it when he was with Faith. He knew it would be only himself as a parent to his little girl and her having a mother would never happen. Buck loved Jane with all his heart and his heart was broken. He promised himself he would never love another woman again like he loved Jane.
Buck hadn’t heard from Jane in a month and he wondered why she hadn’t written him back. He worried Jane had found another man in Falls Church. He thought that Jane had figured out that she didn’t want a half-breed with a young daughter for her husband. He thought she thought a readymade family was not what she wanted. He supposed Jane wanted children of her own and not someone else’s baby. Buck became melancholy only coming out of it when he was with Faith. He knew it would be only himself as a parent to his little girl and her having a mother would never happen. Buck loved Jane with all his heart and his heart was broken. He promised himself he would never love another woman again like he loved Jane.
Chapter Twelve
Buck was in town looking at toys that he could get for Faith for her birthday coming up on the Fourth of July, when the stage pulled into town. He got frustrated that none of the toys were made well enough for a soon to be one year old who put everything in her mouth and left the mercantile. As Buck walked out of the store, he stopped short and stared at a woman getting off the stage. Buck thought he was seeing things. Standing there with a light green dress and a flowered straw hat was Jane. Buck’s heart skipped a beat as he got his emotions in check and crossed the street. She looked gorgeous. When Jane saw Buck, she started to run to him. They met in the middle of the street embracing each other as Buck lifted her off the ground and spun her around. His heart was healed in the instant he felt her in his arms.
“Jane you’re here. When I didn’t get a letter, back I thought I’d never hear from you again. Are you here for a visit because, that’s a lot of trunks and boxes? I hope you’re here for good. I missed you so much,” Buck said hugging her again.
“Buck I’m so happy to see you again. I hope you don’t mind me coming for good. I plan to buy a storefront and open a jewelry shop. I was my father’s apprentice before he was killed. It so good to feel your arms around me again, I’ve missed you too. More than you know. I sent you a letter but it probably didn’t get here yet. I’m so sorry you thought that. I would never stop writing you and now that I’m here we can talk face to face,” Jane said smiling at Buck with love in her eyes.
“There’s Lou and Ike with the buckboard to get supplies. Why don’t we go ask them if we can use it for your things? Faith should be up from her nap now so you can meet her and see how sweet she is,” Buck told Jane.
“Okay. Do you think Faith will like me?” Jane asked apprehensively as Buck ushered her over to the buckboard and his friends.
“Don’t worry I’m sure you’ll do fine she a very easy baby and loves to meet new people. She took to me the minute I held her in her basket when she was three months old. Her mother, Lucy, had a hard time calming her down and I seemed to calm her easier than she did. She’s going to love you.”
Buck borrowed the wagon from Ike and Lou. With the help of his two friends got all of Jane’s things into the back. Then Buck helped Jane onto the seat and climbed up himself. He took the reins and they were off to the station at the edge of town.
“Jane you’re here. When I didn’t get a letter, back I thought I’d never hear from you again. Are you here for a visit because, that’s a lot of trunks and boxes? I hope you’re here for good. I missed you so much,” Buck said hugging her again.
“Buck I’m so happy to see you again. I hope you don’t mind me coming for good. I plan to buy a storefront and open a jewelry shop. I was my father’s apprentice before he was killed. It so good to feel your arms around me again, I’ve missed you too. More than you know. I sent you a letter but it probably didn’t get here yet. I’m so sorry you thought that. I would never stop writing you and now that I’m here we can talk face to face,” Jane said smiling at Buck with love in her eyes.
“There’s Lou and Ike with the buckboard to get supplies. Why don’t we go ask them if we can use it for your things? Faith should be up from her nap now so you can meet her and see how sweet she is,” Buck told Jane.
“Okay. Do you think Faith will like me?” Jane asked apprehensively as Buck ushered her over to the buckboard and his friends.
“Don’t worry I’m sure you’ll do fine she a very easy baby and loves to meet new people. She took to me the minute I held her in her basket when she was three months old. Her mother, Lucy, had a hard time calming her down and I seemed to calm her easier than she did. She’s going to love you.”
Buck borrowed the wagon from Ike and Lou. With the help of his two friends got all of Jane’s things into the back. Then Buck helped Jane onto the seat and climbed up himself. He took the reins and they were off to the station at the edge of town.
Chapter Thirteen
Buck brought Jane into the house while Kid and Jimmy brought Jane’s things upstairs to the spare room. He had her sit in the sitting room while he went upstairs to get Faith in their shared bedroom.
Buck walked into the room to his Bunny who was standing up in her crib with a big grin. She squealed and yelled “Ta!”
“Hi, Bunny, Ta’s so glad to see you so happy after your nap. I want you to meet somebody. She’s a real special lady and she wants to be your friend. You be a good girl and make her feel welcome. Come here, Sweetheart, you’ll be walking soon, maybe by your birthday.” Faith went to her Ta and gave him a big hug and a wet messy kiss on his cheek. Buck walked downstairs with her hoping that she would be accepting of Jane.
Buck walked into the sitting room and sat down next to Jane. He sat Faith on his lap facing her. Faith looked at her with big brown eyes. Jane smiled at her and said, “Hello, Faith, I’m Jane. You are such a beautiful little girl. You’re Ta speaks very highly of you. He says you are a very good and special girl.”
Faith looked at Jane and smiled her infectious smile and climbed onto Jane’s lap. Jane held her up as she stood up and gave her a big hug and sloppy kiss. Then she sat down in Jane’s lap and cuddled up to her and started talking baby talk. Both Buck and Jane were flabbergasted. Faith had done exactly what they hoped she would do. Jane looked at Buck with a big smile on her face.
“I guess I passed the test with flying colors. She is such a doll, Buck. You’re right she is a joy to have around. I think I’m going to be very happy here with you and Faith in my life.” Jane leaned over and gave Buck a quick kiss on the cheek. Faith let out a happy yell and clapped her hands. They both started to laugh while Faith babbled from Jane’s lap.
“I think my little Bunny has found a new friend and maybe someday more than a friend.” Buck looked into Jane’s eyes and leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. Faith let out a laugh as Buck’s hair tickled her face. She grabbed Buck’s hair and started to pull. “No, Faith, don’t pull Ta’s hair.” Faith let go and blew raspberries at her father.
Buck picked up Faith and blew raspberries on her stomach that made her belly laugh. Jane thought the sound was heavenly. Buck was laughing and Faith was laughing and she found herself laughing too. She would be honored to be a part of their family in any capacity that she could be. She hoped wife and mother, but she wasn’t sure Buck wanted that yet.
Buck walked into the room to his Bunny who was standing up in her crib with a big grin. She squealed and yelled “Ta!”
“Hi, Bunny, Ta’s so glad to see you so happy after your nap. I want you to meet somebody. She’s a real special lady and she wants to be your friend. You be a good girl and make her feel welcome. Come here, Sweetheart, you’ll be walking soon, maybe by your birthday.” Faith went to her Ta and gave him a big hug and a wet messy kiss on his cheek. Buck walked downstairs with her hoping that she would be accepting of Jane.
Buck walked into the sitting room and sat down next to Jane. He sat Faith on his lap facing her. Faith looked at her with big brown eyes. Jane smiled at her and said, “Hello, Faith, I’m Jane. You are such a beautiful little girl. You’re Ta speaks very highly of you. He says you are a very good and special girl.”
Faith looked at Jane and smiled her infectious smile and climbed onto Jane’s lap. Jane held her up as she stood up and gave her a big hug and sloppy kiss. Then she sat down in Jane’s lap and cuddled up to her and started talking baby talk. Both Buck and Jane were flabbergasted. Faith had done exactly what they hoped she would do. Jane looked at Buck with a big smile on her face.
“I guess I passed the test with flying colors. She is such a doll, Buck. You’re right she is a joy to have around. I think I’m going to be very happy here with you and Faith in my life.” Jane leaned over and gave Buck a quick kiss on the cheek. Faith let out a happy yell and clapped her hands. They both started to laugh while Faith babbled from Jane’s lap.
“I think my little Bunny has found a new friend and maybe someday more than a friend.” Buck looked into Jane’s eyes and leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. Faith let out a laugh as Buck’s hair tickled her face. She grabbed Buck’s hair and started to pull. “No, Faith, don’t pull Ta’s hair.” Faith let go and blew raspberries at her father.
Buck picked up Faith and blew raspberries on her stomach that made her belly laugh. Jane thought the sound was heavenly. Buck was laughing and Faith was laughing and she found herself laughing too. She would be honored to be a part of their family in any capacity that she could be. She hoped wife and mother, but she wasn’t sure Buck wanted that yet.
The days went by and Buck, Jane and Faith fell into a happy routine. Jane became a part of every facet of Buck and Faith’s life. Jane would help put their Bunny to bed. Jane now used the name Buck affectionately used for Faith. Jane was there when she woke up in the morning when Buck was on a run or doing chores. Both Buck and Jane brought Faith to her one year check up with the doctor. The doctor proclaimed that Faith was a happy, healthy, well-adjusted and loved little girl.
On the Fourth of July the express family had a small party for Faith. Buck had made her a rocking horse that Faith loved. Jane had made her a ragdoll with brown hair and eyes. The rest of the express family got her gifts that she had fun opening a playing with. Rachel had made Faith a chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. Buck and Jane helped Faith blow out the candle. Faith loved the cake and insisted on feeding herself. There was cake all over the bunkhouse floor and all over Faith too.
Buck and Jane gave Faith a bath and washed the cake off her body and out of her hair. While they were dressing her for bed Faith was yawning and rubbing her eyes. They both knew that Faith was tired and brought her upstairs to her crib after Buck rocked her and they both sang to her. Jane had learned the Kiowa lullabies Buck sang to her every night. Faith was asleep before they put her in her crib and like her father let out these little snores that told them she was indeed exhausted. They both stifled a laugh and went downstairs and out on the porch.
On the Fourth of July the express family had a small party for Faith. Buck had made her a rocking horse that Faith loved. Jane had made her a ragdoll with brown hair and eyes. The rest of the express family got her gifts that she had fun opening a playing with. Rachel had made Faith a chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. Buck and Jane helped Faith blow out the candle. Faith loved the cake and insisted on feeding herself. There was cake all over the bunkhouse floor and all over Faith too.
Buck and Jane gave Faith a bath and washed the cake off her body and out of her hair. While they were dressing her for bed Faith was yawning and rubbing her eyes. They both knew that Faith was tired and brought her upstairs to her crib after Buck rocked her and they both sang to her. Jane had learned the Kiowa lullabies Buck sang to her every night. Faith was asleep before they put her in her crib and like her father let out these little snores that told them she was indeed exhausted. They both stifled a laugh and went downstairs and out on the porch.
Chapter Fourteen
Buck and Jane went for a walk in the full moonlight. Buck was more nervous than Jane had ever seen him. She wondered what was wrong. They ended up at the swimming hole and Buck had Jane sit on a fallen log by the water. He wanted this to be special. He had a very good reason to be nervous.
Buck looked into Jane’s eyes and took her hands in his. “Jane, I’ve known I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you. You have such beauty and grace. You have that beauty on the inside too. You are such a genuine and special person. I am honored to have you in my life. You are so good with Faith. Have you noticed she calls you Ka?” Jane nodded with tears in her eyes. “I don’t know if you know what that means in Kiowa. It’s very special word. It means Mother. Faith knows you were meant to be her mother for life. I want you to be with us always.”
Buck got down on one knee and took a green velvet bag out of his vest pocket. He opened it and a gold ring with a beautiful dark green stone fell into his palm. Buck took Jane’s hands again and, “Jane Benedict I love you with my whole being. I want you to be my partner, my best friend, my lover. Jane will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Jane jumped into Buck’s arms and showered his face with kisses. “Yes, Buck, I will be your wife and Faith’s mother and mother to anyone else to come along. I love you beyond words.” Buck slipped the ring onto Jane’s left hand ring finger and kissed her with such love and passion they both pulled away breathless.
“I can’t wait to tell the others. We have a wedding to plan. Do you want a big church wedding?” Buck asked hoping that she would want something small and intimate with Teaspoon marrying them. He would gladly have a big church wedding, but he was a little nervous about having so many people who would only come to see a white woman have the audacity to marry a half-breed in a church of all places. He didn’t want anything said that would hurt Jane.
“I want a wedding out in the fresh air with just our friends and Faith there. Maybe Teaspoon could officiate. He is the marshal and he can marry people, right?
“I think he could do that. I would like a wedding in the outdoors with the just our friends and Faith too. I know Rachel and Lou can help you make a wedding dress and I’ll get a new suit. You’ll be the most beautiful bride anyone has ever seen. I am so lucky to have you in my life. Let’s go tell the others. I don’t think I can wait until tomorrow morning.”
“Let’s go check on Faith and then tell the others. I can’t wait until morning either.” With that said Buck and Jane made their way to the station house and looked in on Faith. She was fast asleep still snoring telling them she was in a deep sleep. Then they went to the bunkhouse where everyone was enjoying another piece of cake and a cup of coffee. Everyone looked up when they walked in. Buck and Jane couldn’t keep the smiles off their faces.
“What’s got you to grinning like, you got a secret. Did Little Faith do something new that only you got to, see,” Teaspoon asked the couple.
“We do have news. I just asked Jane to marry me and she said yes!” Buck said practically bursting with excitement.
There was a collective cheer of joy and excitement for Buck and Jane. Then everyone got up from their seats and congratulated the couple. Rachel had tears in her eyes and Ike had a smile on his face like the cat that ate the canary. Jane looked at Ike and then at Buck and knew there was something up.
“Ike, did Buck tell you he was going to propose before he asked me?” Jane said pretending to be mad.
*Jane, he needed help picking out the ring. He couldn’t decide between two he liked. He meant no harm* Ike signed.
Jane walked up to Buck with her hands on her hips. Buck got a scared look on his face and backed up. He was afraid Jane was going to give the ring back.
“Oh, you Buck I could just… kiss you for asking Ike to help. You are the sweetest man to admit when he can’t decide something on his own.” Then Jane pulled Buck’s head down for a sultry kiss. He was surprised at first and had his eyes wide open then he closed his eyes and put his hands around Jane’s waist and kissed her back passionately.
The whole room erupted with whistles and laughing while they kissed then Buck and Jane pulled apart. Buck looked at his makeshift family and turned a bright red. Jane had a big smile on her face and went to give Ike a hug.
“Thank, you Ike for helping him pick out the most beautiful ring. My father couldn’t have made better.”
Ike blushed too and signed, *It was my honor* Jane hugged Ike and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Buck, Sweetie, don’t you have something to ask Teaspoon?” Jane asked.
“Yeah, uh Teaspoon would you like to marry Jane and me at the wedding? You are marshal and all. I understand if you don’t want to, but…,”
“Buck it would be a pleasure to marry one of my boys off to his sweetheart. You just tell me the time and place and I’ll be there with my fancy duds on.” Teaspoon said interrupting Buck’s rambling.
“You would? That’s great. Thank you, Teaspoon, Jane and me really want you to marry us. I better be getting to bed, as you know Faith wakes up pretty early and I have a run after lunch,” Buck said as he looked at Jane as if to say ‘Come outside to say goodnight.’
Jane saw the way Buck looked at her and said, “We can walk over and check on the baby and then if you want, Rachel and Lou, I’d like to discuss the wedding preparations.”
“That’s a good idea, I’ll make some more coffee and we can start making lists of things that have to be done for the big day,” Rachel said.
“Don’t be long, we have a lot to cover,” Lou said smirking at Buck and Jane. Buck just smirked back at Lou and said goodnight to everyone and then he and Jane left the bunkhouse.
Buck looked into Jane’s eyes and took her hands in his. “Jane, I’ve known I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you. You have such beauty and grace. You have that beauty on the inside too. You are such a genuine and special person. I am honored to have you in my life. You are so good with Faith. Have you noticed she calls you Ka?” Jane nodded with tears in her eyes. “I don’t know if you know what that means in Kiowa. It’s very special word. It means Mother. Faith knows you were meant to be her mother for life. I want you to be with us always.”
Buck got down on one knee and took a green velvet bag out of his vest pocket. He opened it and a gold ring with a beautiful dark green stone fell into his palm. Buck took Jane’s hands again and, “Jane Benedict I love you with my whole being. I want you to be my partner, my best friend, my lover. Jane will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Jane jumped into Buck’s arms and showered his face with kisses. “Yes, Buck, I will be your wife and Faith’s mother and mother to anyone else to come along. I love you beyond words.” Buck slipped the ring onto Jane’s left hand ring finger and kissed her with such love and passion they both pulled away breathless.
“I can’t wait to tell the others. We have a wedding to plan. Do you want a big church wedding?” Buck asked hoping that she would want something small and intimate with Teaspoon marrying them. He would gladly have a big church wedding, but he was a little nervous about having so many people who would only come to see a white woman have the audacity to marry a half-breed in a church of all places. He didn’t want anything said that would hurt Jane.
“I want a wedding out in the fresh air with just our friends and Faith there. Maybe Teaspoon could officiate. He is the marshal and he can marry people, right?
“I think he could do that. I would like a wedding in the outdoors with the just our friends and Faith too. I know Rachel and Lou can help you make a wedding dress and I’ll get a new suit. You’ll be the most beautiful bride anyone has ever seen. I am so lucky to have you in my life. Let’s go tell the others. I don’t think I can wait until tomorrow morning.”
“Let’s go check on Faith and then tell the others. I can’t wait until morning either.” With that said Buck and Jane made their way to the station house and looked in on Faith. She was fast asleep still snoring telling them she was in a deep sleep. Then they went to the bunkhouse where everyone was enjoying another piece of cake and a cup of coffee. Everyone looked up when they walked in. Buck and Jane couldn’t keep the smiles off their faces.
“What’s got you to grinning like, you got a secret. Did Little Faith do something new that only you got to, see,” Teaspoon asked the couple.
“We do have news. I just asked Jane to marry me and she said yes!” Buck said practically bursting with excitement.
There was a collective cheer of joy and excitement for Buck and Jane. Then everyone got up from their seats and congratulated the couple. Rachel had tears in her eyes and Ike had a smile on his face like the cat that ate the canary. Jane looked at Ike and then at Buck and knew there was something up.
“Ike, did Buck tell you he was going to propose before he asked me?” Jane said pretending to be mad.
*Jane, he needed help picking out the ring. He couldn’t decide between two he liked. He meant no harm* Ike signed.
Jane walked up to Buck with her hands on her hips. Buck got a scared look on his face and backed up. He was afraid Jane was going to give the ring back.
“Oh, you Buck I could just… kiss you for asking Ike to help. You are the sweetest man to admit when he can’t decide something on his own.” Then Jane pulled Buck’s head down for a sultry kiss. He was surprised at first and had his eyes wide open then he closed his eyes and put his hands around Jane’s waist and kissed her back passionately.
The whole room erupted with whistles and laughing while they kissed then Buck and Jane pulled apart. Buck looked at his makeshift family and turned a bright red. Jane had a big smile on her face and went to give Ike a hug.
“Thank, you Ike for helping him pick out the most beautiful ring. My father couldn’t have made better.”
Ike blushed too and signed, *It was my honor* Jane hugged Ike and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Buck, Sweetie, don’t you have something to ask Teaspoon?” Jane asked.
“Yeah, uh Teaspoon would you like to marry Jane and me at the wedding? You are marshal and all. I understand if you don’t want to, but…,”
“Buck it would be a pleasure to marry one of my boys off to his sweetheart. You just tell me the time and place and I’ll be there with my fancy duds on.” Teaspoon said interrupting Buck’s rambling.
“You would? That’s great. Thank you, Teaspoon, Jane and me really want you to marry us. I better be getting to bed, as you know Faith wakes up pretty early and I have a run after lunch,” Buck said as he looked at Jane as if to say ‘Come outside to say goodnight.’
Jane saw the way Buck looked at her and said, “We can walk over and check on the baby and then if you want, Rachel and Lou, I’d like to discuss the wedding preparations.”
“That’s a good idea, I’ll make some more coffee and we can start making lists of things that have to be done for the big day,” Rachel said.
“Don’t be long, we have a lot to cover,” Lou said smirking at Buck and Jane. Buck just smirked back at Lou and said goodnight to everyone and then he and Jane left the bunkhouse.
Chapter Fifteen
Buck walked with Jane to the house and they checked on Faith. She was, still sound asleep and snoring away. They walked down the stairs and stood in the sitting room. Buck took Jane’s face in his hands and kissed her passionately. Jane kissed him back with as much intensity as he gave to the kiss. When they pulled, apart they were breathless and looked at each other wanting more, but knowing now was not the time and they would be together forever after the wedding.
Buck walked Jane outside and down the stairs he gave her another sultry kiss and then they said I love you and goodnight. Buck watched as Jane walked across the yard and went into the bunkhouse. He was amazed that, in what he hoped was a short time, he would be married to the love of his life and Jane, Faith and he would be a real family. He walked into the house and walked up the stairs quietly got undressed and got into bed. He watched his little girl sleep for a little while in her crib then he fell asleep feeling more relaxed than he had in a long time.
Buck walked Jane outside and down the stairs he gave her another sultry kiss and then they said I love you and goodnight. Buck watched as Jane walked across the yard and went into the bunkhouse. He was amazed that, in what he hoped was a short time, he would be married to the love of his life and Jane, Faith and he would be a real family. He walked into the house and walked up the stairs quietly got undressed and got into bed. He watched his little girl sleep for a little while in her crib then he fell asleep feeling more relaxed than he had in a long time.
Buck woke up to Faith jumping up and down in her crib and yelling “Ta Ta Ta Ta Ta Ta Ta! He got up and saw his Bunny looking happy with terrible bed head after her good night’s sleep. Buck went over to her crib and said, “Hi, Bunny, did you have a nice sleep. You sure are happy after your birthday. Did you have fun yesterday? Now let’s get dressed and we’ll see if I can tame, your hair into a pretty bow on the top your head.” Buck said chuckling at his daughter’s unruly hair.
About ten minutes later Buck was trying to brush Faith’s hair and having little success getting it into a ribbon. Faith was wiggling too much for him to even brush her hair very well. There was a knock at the door, Buck said, “Come in.” and Jane walked in the door. Looking very pretty in a green dress she was going to wear to her jewelry shop.
“What in the world did you do to that poor child’s hair, Buck Cross?” Jane said smiling at the picture of the two of them. Buck’s hair looked almost as bad as Faith’s. “Buck, Honey, why, don’t you let me take care of Faith’s hair while you take care of yours. You look like you, have a bird’s nest in your hair,” Jane said almost laughing.
Buck got an embarrassed, look on his face and handed Faith to Jane and got up off the bed too brush his hair. “I guess I was really tired and moved a lot in my sleep. I think our Little Bunny did the same thing. I look like this a lot in the morning. I just don’t come out of my room without it brushed. Do you still want to marry the man with the crazy hair?” Buck said making a funny face at Jane and Faith. Faith let out a squeal of laughter at her father making faces at them.
Soon Jane had Faith’s hair tamed and in a pretty bow on top of her head and Buck had gotten all the snarls out of his hair and was giving it a last brush when he felt something at his leg. Faith was standing at his legs having taken her first steps with Jane looking on in shock. Buck looked down and Faith was walking to her crib across the room. Buck was so happy his Bunny had learned to walk that he was speechless. He and Jane walked over to Faith and Buck picked her up and she let out another squeal and clapped her hands.
“Oh, our little girl is walking! You’re such a big girl, Bunny. Look Ka our little one walked. I’m so proud of you,” Buck said with such love and excitement if Jane weren’t already in love with Buck, she would have fallen head over heels for him right at that moment.
“Ta’s right you are a big girl and we should put some shoes on you so you can walk over to the bunkhouse for breakfast. You are so smart, my lovey. Come to Ka and we’ll put your shoes on.” Jane, took the baby from Buck who was all smiles and put a pair shoes on her and then they walked down stairs with Buck holding Faith. They walked over to the bunkhouse with both Buck and Jane each holding one of Faith’s hands when they walked into the bunkhouse Buck cleared his throat and everyone watched as Faith walked to her Uncle Ike.
Ike picked her up and signed to her, *That was great Faith. You are growing so fast* When Ike was done signing Faith signed the exact thing Ike had signed to her with Ike’s name. Everyone was up to give her hugs and kisses for walking and signing for the first time. Ike got tears in his eyes when he saw Faith sign his name. They were all very proud of Faith and now needed to keep an eye her every minute she wasn’t being held or in her high chair or crib.
About ten minutes later Buck was trying to brush Faith’s hair and having little success getting it into a ribbon. Faith was wiggling too much for him to even brush her hair very well. There was a knock at the door, Buck said, “Come in.” and Jane walked in the door. Looking very pretty in a green dress she was going to wear to her jewelry shop.
“What in the world did you do to that poor child’s hair, Buck Cross?” Jane said smiling at the picture of the two of them. Buck’s hair looked almost as bad as Faith’s. “Buck, Honey, why, don’t you let me take care of Faith’s hair while you take care of yours. You look like you, have a bird’s nest in your hair,” Jane said almost laughing.
Buck got an embarrassed, look on his face and handed Faith to Jane and got up off the bed too brush his hair. “I guess I was really tired and moved a lot in my sleep. I think our Little Bunny did the same thing. I look like this a lot in the morning. I just don’t come out of my room without it brushed. Do you still want to marry the man with the crazy hair?” Buck said making a funny face at Jane and Faith. Faith let out a squeal of laughter at her father making faces at them.
Soon Jane had Faith’s hair tamed and in a pretty bow on top of her head and Buck had gotten all the snarls out of his hair and was giving it a last brush when he felt something at his leg. Faith was standing at his legs having taken her first steps with Jane looking on in shock. Buck looked down and Faith was walking to her crib across the room. Buck was so happy his Bunny had learned to walk that he was speechless. He and Jane walked over to Faith and Buck picked her up and she let out another squeal and clapped her hands.
“Oh, our little girl is walking! You’re such a big girl, Bunny. Look Ka our little one walked. I’m so proud of you,” Buck said with such love and excitement if Jane weren’t already in love with Buck, she would have fallen head over heels for him right at that moment.
“Ta’s right you are a big girl and we should put some shoes on you so you can walk over to the bunkhouse for breakfast. You are so smart, my lovey. Come to Ka and we’ll put your shoes on.” Jane, took the baby from Buck who was all smiles and put a pair shoes on her and then they walked down stairs with Buck holding Faith. They walked over to the bunkhouse with both Buck and Jane each holding one of Faith’s hands when they walked into the bunkhouse Buck cleared his throat and everyone watched as Faith walked to her Uncle Ike.
Ike picked her up and signed to her, *That was great Faith. You are growing so fast* When Ike was done signing Faith signed the exact thing Ike had signed to her with Ike’s name. Everyone was up to give her hugs and kisses for walking and signing for the first time. Ike got tears in his eyes when he saw Faith sign his name. They were all very proud of Faith and now needed to keep an eye her every minute she wasn’t being held or in her high chair or crib.
Chapter Sixteen
It was the day of Buck and Jane’s wedding and Buck was nervously waiting at a beautiful meadow that had a creek running through it. An arbor had been set up and adorned with flowers and ribbons. Ike stood with Buck as his Best Man. Chairs were set up for friends coming from town. Buck had woken up to a very vocal Faith as she yelled and squealed for her Ta to wake up. As soon as he, was up he brought Faith to Rachel and Lou to give her a bath and get her ready in her new dress, bonnet, and shoes. Faith would walk down the aisle with Jane and be held by Lou as her Ta married her Ka and then they would walk back down the aisle as a family. Buck was pacing and looking like he was going to be sick. Ike was doing his best to calm Buck down.
Meanwhile at the station Teaspoon and the boys were all ready and watching Faith as Rachel and Lou got Jane ready. Jane really wanted Louise to be her Maid of Honor, but she would have to be Lou not Louise at the wedding to keep her secret from getting out. Jane asked Rachel to be her Maid of Honor and she accepted. The boys rode over to the meadow not far from the station and join Buck and Ike. Teaspoon was going to drive Jane, Rachel and Faith while Lou riding Lightning to the meadow.
The women were ready and Teaspoon helped them onto the buckboard. Rachel held Faith and they were off. The guests had arrived and were seated. Buck heard a buckboard and a horse approaching and stood up straighter while Ike fixed his string tie. Teaspoon made his way to the arbor and saw Buck was fixated with the group of women who were helping Jane and Faith get ready to walk down the aisle.
Lou made her way to the front to her seat and the violinist Teaspoon hired started the wedding march. Rachel made her way down the aisle in a lilac dress with a bouquet of purple wild flowers. Then the moment arrived and Jane and Faith made their way down the aisle to Buck. Faith waved at everyone as she held Jane’s hand. Jane got to where Buck was standing and Buck picked up Faith and gave her a kiss and handed her to Lou. Then he took Jane’s hand and smiled gorgeously at her. Jane smiled at Buck and Buck thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
Teaspoon began the ceremony. Buck and Jane said their vows lovingly. When it was time for the rings Buck was at a loss because Jane said she would take care of the wedding rings. Jane turned Rachel who handed her the two special rings she had made at her shop.
Teaspoon began to speak about the rings and said, “These rings were made by Jane in her shop with loving care. They are made of a strand of gold, silver and a rose, colored gold. They represent Buck, Jane and their daughter Faith woven together to make a ring like they will make a family strong together, but alone easy to bend and break. Faith found her way to Buck and Jane found her way to Buck and Faith. Together they are a force to be reckoned with.”
Buck and Jane exchanged their rings and Teaspoon pronounced them man and wife. He then said, “Buck, you may kiss your bride.”
Buck kissed Jane passionately with all the love in the world. Jane returned that kiss with just as much love and passion. They broke apart and the guests began to clap. Buck took Faith from Lou and both he and Jane gave her a kiss and walked back down the aisle as a family.
Meanwhile at the station Teaspoon and the boys were all ready and watching Faith as Rachel and Lou got Jane ready. Jane really wanted Louise to be her Maid of Honor, but she would have to be Lou not Louise at the wedding to keep her secret from getting out. Jane asked Rachel to be her Maid of Honor and she accepted. The boys rode over to the meadow not far from the station and join Buck and Ike. Teaspoon was going to drive Jane, Rachel and Faith while Lou riding Lightning to the meadow.
The women were ready and Teaspoon helped them onto the buckboard. Rachel held Faith and they were off. The guests had arrived and were seated. Buck heard a buckboard and a horse approaching and stood up straighter while Ike fixed his string tie. Teaspoon made his way to the arbor and saw Buck was fixated with the group of women who were helping Jane and Faith get ready to walk down the aisle.
Lou made her way to the front to her seat and the violinist Teaspoon hired started the wedding march. Rachel made her way down the aisle in a lilac dress with a bouquet of purple wild flowers. Then the moment arrived and Jane and Faith made their way down the aisle to Buck. Faith waved at everyone as she held Jane’s hand. Jane got to where Buck was standing and Buck picked up Faith and gave her a kiss and handed her to Lou. Then he took Jane’s hand and smiled gorgeously at her. Jane smiled at Buck and Buck thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
Teaspoon began the ceremony. Buck and Jane said their vows lovingly. When it was time for the rings Buck was at a loss because Jane said she would take care of the wedding rings. Jane turned Rachel who handed her the two special rings she had made at her shop.
Teaspoon began to speak about the rings and said, “These rings were made by Jane in her shop with loving care. They are made of a strand of gold, silver and a rose, colored gold. They represent Buck, Jane and their daughter Faith woven together to make a ring like they will make a family strong together, but alone easy to bend and break. Faith found her way to Buck and Jane found her way to Buck and Faith. Together they are a force to be reckoned with.”
Buck and Jane exchanged their rings and Teaspoon pronounced them man and wife. He then said, “Buck, you may kiss your bride.”
Buck kissed Jane passionately with all the love in the world. Jane returned that kiss with just as much love and passion. They broke apart and the guests began to clap. Buck took Faith from Lou and both he and Jane gave her a kiss and walked back down the aisle as a family.
Chapter Seventeen
Time went by and Buck, Jane and Faith got used to being a family. The Express closed and Buck and Ike, who had married a girl named Emily Metcalf a few months after Buck and Jane were married, along with Kid and Lou, who were also married before the end of the express, started a horse ranch. They built three houses on the land with four barns with many out buildings and corrals. They all worked together well and the women loved being together talking about the babies they wanted to have with their husbands in the future. Faith was growing like a weed and was now talking in full sentences and getting into everything.
As the years went on Faith turned two, year old then three. Louise and Kid had a baby boy their names Jameson Louis McCloud shortly after Faith’s second birthday. Ike and Emily had twins. A boy and a girl the winter after Jameson was born. They named them Patricia Joy and Caleb Buck. Everyone was so happy about the babies. Jane wondered when she and Buck would have a baby to add to their little family. Buck was wondering the same thing too.
Teaspoon and Rachel announced they were getting married and were expecting at the same time and that the baby was a surprise to them both because Rachel was told she couldn’t have any children after losing her first child when her late husband Henry Dunne died. Again, Jane wondered why she and Buck were not conceiving. She was concerned she was infertile and went with Louise and Emily to see the doctor.
The doctor said there was nothing wrong with Jane and she should just give it some more time and not to stress about it. Low and behold the Christmas after Faith’s third birthday Jane had a special Christmas present for Buck. When Faith was asleep after waiting for Santa to come Jane said she had something to tell Buck.
“Buck, I have a special present for you. I couldn’t wrap it, but it’s extremely precious and something we’ve both wanted for a long time. Do you want to guess what it is or do you, want me to just tell you,” Jane, said?
“Uhh, I guess you’ll have to tell me because I have no clue what it could be.”
“Well give me your hand and I’ll show you.”
“Okay.” Buck held out his hand to Jane and she took it and brought his palm to her lower abdomen and placed it there and smiled a knowing smile. It took Buck a minute to figure out what she meant.
Buck smiled a huge smile and moved over to hold Jane with his hand still over her belly. “We’re having a baby? It’s finally happening? We’re going to have a child. Faith is going to have a little baby brother or sister. Oh, Jane this is wonderful. I am ecstatic about this. I’m over the moon. When are we expecting this little bundle of joy?”
“Well I guess Faith will have the same birthday month as the baby. It’s coming in July. I’m so happy, Buck. I’ve wanted to carry and give birth to your child for so long. I know Faith will be happy, she’s been asking for a baby brother or sister since Patty and Caleb were born. I love you so much, Buck. Isn’t this a great present? I bet you couldn’t have given me a better present than this baby,” Jane said as she threw her arms around Buck’s neck and kissed him so passionately it took their breath away. Faith’s presents were all laid out for the morning so Buck picked up Jane and carried her to their room and they made love into the early hours of the morning finally falling asleep sated in each other’s arms a few hours before daylight.
At the break of dawn Faith opened her parent’s bedroom door and walked up to their bed. Fortunately, they were covered by the bed clothes and Faith could see nothing but their heads.
“Ta! Ta! Wake up Ta, it’s Christmas. Did Santa come? Ka, wake up. It’s time to open presents. Wake up!” Faith said jumping up and down with excitement.
Buck opened his eyes to see Faith standing beside his and Jane’s bed with her hair standing up all over and looking like she was going to cry. At that moment he realized that both he and Jane were not in their night clothes they were naked under the covers. He had to figure a way to get Faith out of the room for a minute so he could at least put his long john bottoms on and wake Jane so she could throw her night gown on.
“Bunny, it’s awfully cold in here why don’t you go get your blankie so you can wrap it around you while we open presents, okay? Why don’t you get Bernie bear too to see your presents? I think he would like that. Go on and put your slippers on too.”
“Okay Ta. I will do that. Then can we open presents please?” Faith said as she looked at her father expectantly.
“You bet Sweetheart. Now go do as Ta said.”
As soon as Faith was past the doorway he got out of bed and slipped on his long john bottoms and top. Then he went about waking Jane up. He would find that would be a harder task than he thought.
“Jane, Honey! Jane, wake up.” Jane just made a grunting noise and rolled over to Buck’s side of the bed.
Buck had to do something quick so he took Jane’s night gown and sat her up and put her arms in the sleeves and her head through the collar. He started to lift her to a standing position when Jane woke up and was shocked that she was standing up and Buck was dressing her.
“Sweetheart, I suggest you get that night gown pulled down and get your wrapper on because Faith will be her in mere seconds and we were both in our birthday suits when she came in and I had to think fast or she would have seen us both naked and ask a lot of questions. Merry Christmas,” Buck said as he kissed his wife and helped her pull down her night gown. The second Jane was covered Faith walked in and was all excited because Santa had come and she wanted to open presents.
“Thank you, my love. That would have been very embarrassing,” Jane said as she gave Buck a big kiss and got her wrapper on.
They had a very happy Christmas and had dinner at the McCloud’s house that afternoon.
Buck and Jane sat Faith down and told her that she was going to be a big sister around her birthday. She was so happy about being a big sister she put her ear to Jane’s slight curve of her abdomen and listened hard. Then she put her mouth to her belly and said, “Baby, I can’t wait to meet you. I’m going to be a good big sister. Hurry up and grow so you can come and meet Ta and Ka and everyone else. I love you baby. You go sleepies now.”
Jane was so moved she almost burst into tears. Buck was so proud of his little girl he picked her up and gave her a hug and kiss, and told her she was going to be the best big sister in the territory.
As the years went on Faith turned two, year old then three. Louise and Kid had a baby boy their names Jameson Louis McCloud shortly after Faith’s second birthday. Ike and Emily had twins. A boy and a girl the winter after Jameson was born. They named them Patricia Joy and Caleb Buck. Everyone was so happy about the babies. Jane wondered when she and Buck would have a baby to add to their little family. Buck was wondering the same thing too.
Teaspoon and Rachel announced they were getting married and were expecting at the same time and that the baby was a surprise to them both because Rachel was told she couldn’t have any children after losing her first child when her late husband Henry Dunne died. Again, Jane wondered why she and Buck were not conceiving. She was concerned she was infertile and went with Louise and Emily to see the doctor.
The doctor said there was nothing wrong with Jane and she should just give it some more time and not to stress about it. Low and behold the Christmas after Faith’s third birthday Jane had a special Christmas present for Buck. When Faith was asleep after waiting for Santa to come Jane said she had something to tell Buck.
“Buck, I have a special present for you. I couldn’t wrap it, but it’s extremely precious and something we’ve both wanted for a long time. Do you want to guess what it is or do you, want me to just tell you,” Jane, said?
“Uhh, I guess you’ll have to tell me because I have no clue what it could be.”
“Well give me your hand and I’ll show you.”
“Okay.” Buck held out his hand to Jane and she took it and brought his palm to her lower abdomen and placed it there and smiled a knowing smile. It took Buck a minute to figure out what she meant.
Buck smiled a huge smile and moved over to hold Jane with his hand still over her belly. “We’re having a baby? It’s finally happening? We’re going to have a child. Faith is going to have a little baby brother or sister. Oh, Jane this is wonderful. I am ecstatic about this. I’m over the moon. When are we expecting this little bundle of joy?”
“Well I guess Faith will have the same birthday month as the baby. It’s coming in July. I’m so happy, Buck. I’ve wanted to carry and give birth to your child for so long. I know Faith will be happy, she’s been asking for a baby brother or sister since Patty and Caleb were born. I love you so much, Buck. Isn’t this a great present? I bet you couldn’t have given me a better present than this baby,” Jane said as she threw her arms around Buck’s neck and kissed him so passionately it took their breath away. Faith’s presents were all laid out for the morning so Buck picked up Jane and carried her to their room and they made love into the early hours of the morning finally falling asleep sated in each other’s arms a few hours before daylight.
At the break of dawn Faith opened her parent’s bedroom door and walked up to their bed. Fortunately, they were covered by the bed clothes and Faith could see nothing but their heads.
“Ta! Ta! Wake up Ta, it’s Christmas. Did Santa come? Ka, wake up. It’s time to open presents. Wake up!” Faith said jumping up and down with excitement.
Buck opened his eyes to see Faith standing beside his and Jane’s bed with her hair standing up all over and looking like she was going to cry. At that moment he realized that both he and Jane were not in their night clothes they were naked under the covers. He had to figure a way to get Faith out of the room for a minute so he could at least put his long john bottoms on and wake Jane so she could throw her night gown on.
“Bunny, it’s awfully cold in here why don’t you go get your blankie so you can wrap it around you while we open presents, okay? Why don’t you get Bernie bear too to see your presents? I think he would like that. Go on and put your slippers on too.”
“Okay Ta. I will do that. Then can we open presents please?” Faith said as she looked at her father expectantly.
“You bet Sweetheart. Now go do as Ta said.”
As soon as Faith was past the doorway he got out of bed and slipped on his long john bottoms and top. Then he went about waking Jane up. He would find that would be a harder task than he thought.
“Jane, Honey! Jane, wake up.” Jane just made a grunting noise and rolled over to Buck’s side of the bed.
Buck had to do something quick so he took Jane’s night gown and sat her up and put her arms in the sleeves and her head through the collar. He started to lift her to a standing position when Jane woke up and was shocked that she was standing up and Buck was dressing her.
“Sweetheart, I suggest you get that night gown pulled down and get your wrapper on because Faith will be her in mere seconds and we were both in our birthday suits when she came in and I had to think fast or she would have seen us both naked and ask a lot of questions. Merry Christmas,” Buck said as he kissed his wife and helped her pull down her night gown. The second Jane was covered Faith walked in and was all excited because Santa had come and she wanted to open presents.
“Thank you, my love. That would have been very embarrassing,” Jane said as she gave Buck a big kiss and got her wrapper on.
They had a very happy Christmas and had dinner at the McCloud’s house that afternoon.
Buck and Jane sat Faith down and told her that she was going to be a big sister around her birthday. She was so happy about being a big sister she put her ear to Jane’s slight curve of her abdomen and listened hard. Then she put her mouth to her belly and said, “Baby, I can’t wait to meet you. I’m going to be a good big sister. Hurry up and grow so you can come and meet Ta and Ka and everyone else. I love you baby. You go sleepies now.”
Jane was so moved she almost burst into tears. Buck was so proud of his little girl he picked her up and gave her a hug and kiss, and told her she was going to be the best big sister in the territory.
Chapter Eighteen
Teaspoon and Rachel were married on Valentine’s Day and soon after Rachel gave birth to a baby girl, they named Sadie Ann. Everyone was excited for Buck and Jane’s baby to be born.
It was in the spring at the end of May when someone Buck thought he’d never see again came back into their lives.
Buck, Ike and Kid were in town picking up supplies for the ranch when the stage rolled into town. They watched like they usually did to see who got off. Buck did a double take when he saw Lucy Powers the women who gave birth to Faith being helped out of the stage. She was dressed in an expensive traveling suit and had her hair up in a stylish way. She was wearing a hat that looked very costly and had a new crutch that was carved with little birds on it. Buck felt sick when he saw her. He was not going to lose his little girl. She abandoned Faith and left her with him. He still had the note Lucy wrote him saying Faith was better off with him. He would not give up without a fight. He had taken care of Faith since she was three months old. He had been there for all the milestones and he had been there when she was sick. Jane had been there for almost three and a half years and she was Faith’s mother not Lucy who left her alone and hungry in the night. He came out of his thought when he heard Lucy’s voice.
“Buck, Oh Buck, I hoped I’d find you in town. Where is my little girl? Her Momma wants to see her. I have a few gifts for her. I know she could benefit from some mommy and daughter time. I could also use some Lucy and Buck time if you know what I mean,” Lucy said as she walked up to Buck. She said the last part so only Buck could hear it. She reached up and kissed Buck straight on the lips putting her hands around his neck.
Buck reacted by taking her arms from around his neck and pulling away from her and wiping his mouth on his sleeve. He even had to spit to get the taste of her off his lips. Buck was mad. He was about to blow. He got hold of his anger as well as he could and spoke in an even tone that meant he was angered by the spectacle Lucy had made.
“Lucy what are you doing here. You have nerve showing up here after leaving Faith in the middle of the night, but you know what I’m glad you did. I’ve had the honor to raise my little girl and you are not going to take her away from me. I’m married now and have second child on the way. Jane loves Faith as her, own. Faith knows no one, but Jane as her mother. We are a family and I will not let you hurt my daughter by telling her you are her mother. You gave birth to her and then you came to Sweetwater and left her. I raised her for the next months and then Jane and me raised Faith as her parents, as a family. You will not go near my daughter. Do you hear me? I suggest you get a room at the hotel and take the next stage away from here and never come back. And you will never kiss me again. My wife is the only one who kisses me like that and you’re acting like a trollop kissing me like we’re lovers,” Buck said practically seething with anger.
“Oh, you’re married. That’s a shocker. We were lovers once, Buck and I thought we could be again, but since you have a pregnant wife at home you have all the loving you need. I will see my daughter and you will allow me time with her or I will get a judge to give me custody sighting that you are a half-breed and not fit to take care of my daughter. I know just the judge who hates Indians and would grant me custody the second I told him you’re a breed. So, it’s up to you. Do you want me to send word to the judge or do I get to see my child? I’ll give you a few minutes to think it over. Choose wisely,” Lucy said with and acid tone.
Buck looked stunned. The words Lucy used to describe him he thought he would never hear from her. She was one of his best friends at the mission school. They made a child together. How had she gotten so cruel?
Buck looked at Ike and Kid. They both had looks of hatred for Lucy on their faces. Buck knew if she contacted that judge he would lose Faith. He couldn’t risk that. He only had one choice. He had to let Lucy see Faith and hope she got bored with Faith quickly.
“Okay, Lucy, I’ll let you see Faith, but don’t upset her and I don’t want you saying anything negative about Jane and me or our family, Understood? I have a second buckboard here for supplies Jane needed, but I’ll come back later for the supplies. Where are your bags?”
Lucy pointed to the bags on the boardwalk. Buck walked over to them and picked them up and carried them over to the buckboard as Lucy smiled at Ike and Kid who just stared daggers at her. Buck helped Lucy onto the buckboard. Then he climbed up next to her and took the reins and they were off to the ranch.
Buck had to explain what was happening to Jane, but he had no time. He would bring Lucy into the sitting room and then get Jane and try to explain why he was letting Lucy see Faith. He hoped she would understand.
It was in the spring at the end of May when someone Buck thought he’d never see again came back into their lives.
Buck, Ike and Kid were in town picking up supplies for the ranch when the stage rolled into town. They watched like they usually did to see who got off. Buck did a double take when he saw Lucy Powers the women who gave birth to Faith being helped out of the stage. She was dressed in an expensive traveling suit and had her hair up in a stylish way. She was wearing a hat that looked very costly and had a new crutch that was carved with little birds on it. Buck felt sick when he saw her. He was not going to lose his little girl. She abandoned Faith and left her with him. He still had the note Lucy wrote him saying Faith was better off with him. He would not give up without a fight. He had taken care of Faith since she was three months old. He had been there for all the milestones and he had been there when she was sick. Jane had been there for almost three and a half years and she was Faith’s mother not Lucy who left her alone and hungry in the night. He came out of his thought when he heard Lucy’s voice.
“Buck, Oh Buck, I hoped I’d find you in town. Where is my little girl? Her Momma wants to see her. I have a few gifts for her. I know she could benefit from some mommy and daughter time. I could also use some Lucy and Buck time if you know what I mean,” Lucy said as she walked up to Buck. She said the last part so only Buck could hear it. She reached up and kissed Buck straight on the lips putting her hands around his neck.
Buck reacted by taking her arms from around his neck and pulling away from her and wiping his mouth on his sleeve. He even had to spit to get the taste of her off his lips. Buck was mad. He was about to blow. He got hold of his anger as well as he could and spoke in an even tone that meant he was angered by the spectacle Lucy had made.
“Lucy what are you doing here. You have nerve showing up here after leaving Faith in the middle of the night, but you know what I’m glad you did. I’ve had the honor to raise my little girl and you are not going to take her away from me. I’m married now and have second child on the way. Jane loves Faith as her, own. Faith knows no one, but Jane as her mother. We are a family and I will not let you hurt my daughter by telling her you are her mother. You gave birth to her and then you came to Sweetwater and left her. I raised her for the next months and then Jane and me raised Faith as her parents, as a family. You will not go near my daughter. Do you hear me? I suggest you get a room at the hotel and take the next stage away from here and never come back. And you will never kiss me again. My wife is the only one who kisses me like that and you’re acting like a trollop kissing me like we’re lovers,” Buck said practically seething with anger.
“Oh, you’re married. That’s a shocker. We were lovers once, Buck and I thought we could be again, but since you have a pregnant wife at home you have all the loving you need. I will see my daughter and you will allow me time with her or I will get a judge to give me custody sighting that you are a half-breed and not fit to take care of my daughter. I know just the judge who hates Indians and would grant me custody the second I told him you’re a breed. So, it’s up to you. Do you want me to send word to the judge or do I get to see my child? I’ll give you a few minutes to think it over. Choose wisely,” Lucy said with and acid tone.
Buck looked stunned. The words Lucy used to describe him he thought he would never hear from her. She was one of his best friends at the mission school. They made a child together. How had she gotten so cruel?
Buck looked at Ike and Kid. They both had looks of hatred for Lucy on their faces. Buck knew if she contacted that judge he would lose Faith. He couldn’t risk that. He only had one choice. He had to let Lucy see Faith and hope she got bored with Faith quickly.
“Okay, Lucy, I’ll let you see Faith, but don’t upset her and I don’t want you saying anything negative about Jane and me or our family, Understood? I have a second buckboard here for supplies Jane needed, but I’ll come back later for the supplies. Where are your bags?”
Lucy pointed to the bags on the boardwalk. Buck walked over to them and picked them up and carried them over to the buckboard as Lucy smiled at Ike and Kid who just stared daggers at her. Buck helped Lucy onto the buckboard. Then he climbed up next to her and took the reins and they were off to the ranch.
Buck had to explain what was happening to Jane, but he had no time. He would bring Lucy into the sitting room and then get Jane and try to explain why he was letting Lucy see Faith. He hoped she would understand.
Chapter Nineteen
They pulled up to the Cross house and Buck helped Lucy down. Jane walked out of the house with Faith. When the little girl saw the stranger with her Ta she hid behind her Ka’s skirts.
Jane knew who she was from the description Buck gave of the women who gave their daughter up. She was very surprised that her husband was bringing this woman to their house. She knew he must have a good reason for it so she wouldn’t question it yet.
“Jane, Honey, this is Lucy Powers. I think you know that name well. She’s here to meet Faith. I said she could have some time with her in the sitting room. I’m sure they’ll be fine. Right, Lucy?”
“Oh yes we’ll be right as rain. My, she’s gotten big. You’re going to be tall like you daddy aren’t you Faith? Come out from behind Jane and show me how pretty you are,” Lucy said to Faith who stayed right where she was behind Jane.
Buck walked up the steps to the porch and gave Jane a kiss and then picked up Faith. “Come on Bunny, let’s go inside and you can talk to Lucy. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”
Lucy walked up the steps and followed Buck and Faith into the house and Jane brought up the rear.
Jane knew who she was from the description Buck gave of the women who gave their daughter up. She was very surprised that her husband was bringing this woman to their house. She knew he must have a good reason for it so she wouldn’t question it yet.
“Jane, Honey, this is Lucy Powers. I think you know that name well. She’s here to meet Faith. I said she could have some time with her in the sitting room. I’m sure they’ll be fine. Right, Lucy?”
“Oh yes we’ll be right as rain. My, she’s gotten big. You’re going to be tall like you daddy aren’t you Faith? Come out from behind Jane and show me how pretty you are,” Lucy said to Faith who stayed right where she was behind Jane.
Buck walked up the steps to the porch and gave Jane a kiss and then picked up Faith. “Come on Bunny, let’s go inside and you can talk to Lucy. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”
Lucy walked up the steps and followed Buck and Faith into the house and Jane brought up the rear.
Chapter Twenty
Buck set Faith down on the floor next to her toys and showed Lucy a seat. He moved close to her and said in a menacing voice, “You scare her or hurt her and you will never see her again. Teaspoon knows plenty of judges that owe him a favor and your judge won’t matter. I’m just being kind because you gave me Faith and I’m obliged to you. Tread wisely.”
Buck now knew that Teaspoon could help him if Lucy wanted custody and he knew with the judges Teaspoon knew he would win. He was just doing this now because he owed Lucy for his little girl.
Buck walked over to Faith and picked her up and said, “Bunny, I want you to be good and talk nicely to Lucy. Show her your toys and tell her about the horses and your goat, Button. Be a good girl. I’ll be right in the next room.” Buck kissed Faith and sat her next to Lucy.
Faith looked at Lucy and wondered who she was. Lucy looked at Faith and realized she really did look like Buck and nothing of her was in the child. That made her angry.
“Faith, why does your father call you Bunny?” Faith looked at Lucy and didn’t say anything.
“You know who I am?” Faith shook her head and looked like she was getting bored.
“I’m your Momma. You’re my little girl.” Lucy said with an air of possession in her voice.
“NO! You not my Ka, you a stranger. You not my Ka. You are a strange lady. You not my Ka.” Faith said vehemently.
“You little BRAT! You don’t call your mother names. I’ll show you,” Lucy seethed.
Lucy grabbed Faith and turned her over her knee and gave her three hard spanks on her bottom. Faith started to scream and cry. Buck heard Faith screaming and ran into the room to find her fighting with Lucy who was shaking her.
“LUCY! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!” Buck picked up Faith and held her close. “It’s alright, Bunny. Did she hurt you? Ta’s here now and she won’t hurt you again.” Buck gave Faith a kiss and looked at Lucy with fury in his eyes.
Jane was standing in the door way looking very angry. Faith finally calmed down enough to tell Buck what happened.
“Ta, she hit my bummy hard and she shaked me and said I was a brat. She said she is my Ka. She’s nooooooottttttt!” Faith said and started to cry again.
“It’s alright Faith. You won’t see her again. She’s not your Ka. Your Ka is standing in the doorway and she loves you to the moon and back. Go with Ka and get a cookie and I’ll take this mean woman away.” Faith walked to Jane and she took her hand and gave her a kiss on the head. Faith smiled when Jane kissed her.
Lucy stood there furious. “Buck that child has no manners. She called me a name when I said I was her mother and called me a strange lady. I had the right to spank her. It’s the only way to discipline children.”
“Lucy you had no right to hit Faith. We don’t hit in this house. She’s never been hit in her life and this will be the first and last time she will be hit ever. Did she say you weren’t her Ka?” Lucy nodded her head feeling a little bad. “That’s what she calls Jane. It means Mother in Kiowa. She calls me Ta which means Father in Kiowa. She knows that Ike kids call Emily Mama and Kid’s little boy calls Louise Mommy. You shouldn’t have said you’re her mother. She’s only little she doesn’t understand who you are. Now I think it’s time I bring you back to town. You won’t be seeing Faith again. She’s afraid of you now.”
Buck escorted Lucy out of the house to the buckboard and took her back to town. When they got to the hotel Lucy said, “I’m sorry Buck. I’m not mother material and you are raising Faith just fine. I’m happy you found Jane. You deserve to be happy. You won’t see me again. I wish you the best.”
Buck helped Lucy out of the buckboard and walked her into the hotel. He didn’t know what to say so he just said, “Good-bye Lucy, thank you for giving me Faith.”
Buck now knew that Teaspoon could help him if Lucy wanted custody and he knew with the judges Teaspoon knew he would win. He was just doing this now because he owed Lucy for his little girl.
Buck walked over to Faith and picked her up and said, “Bunny, I want you to be good and talk nicely to Lucy. Show her your toys and tell her about the horses and your goat, Button. Be a good girl. I’ll be right in the next room.” Buck kissed Faith and sat her next to Lucy.
Faith looked at Lucy and wondered who she was. Lucy looked at Faith and realized she really did look like Buck and nothing of her was in the child. That made her angry.
“Faith, why does your father call you Bunny?” Faith looked at Lucy and didn’t say anything.
“You know who I am?” Faith shook her head and looked like she was getting bored.
“I’m your Momma. You’re my little girl.” Lucy said with an air of possession in her voice.
“NO! You not my Ka, you a stranger. You not my Ka. You are a strange lady. You not my Ka.” Faith said vehemently.
“You little BRAT! You don’t call your mother names. I’ll show you,” Lucy seethed.
Lucy grabbed Faith and turned her over her knee and gave her three hard spanks on her bottom. Faith started to scream and cry. Buck heard Faith screaming and ran into the room to find her fighting with Lucy who was shaking her.
“LUCY! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!” Buck picked up Faith and held her close. “It’s alright, Bunny. Did she hurt you? Ta’s here now and she won’t hurt you again.” Buck gave Faith a kiss and looked at Lucy with fury in his eyes.
Jane was standing in the door way looking very angry. Faith finally calmed down enough to tell Buck what happened.
“Ta, she hit my bummy hard and she shaked me and said I was a brat. She said she is my Ka. She’s nooooooottttttt!” Faith said and started to cry again.
“It’s alright Faith. You won’t see her again. She’s not your Ka. Your Ka is standing in the doorway and she loves you to the moon and back. Go with Ka and get a cookie and I’ll take this mean woman away.” Faith walked to Jane and she took her hand and gave her a kiss on the head. Faith smiled when Jane kissed her.
Lucy stood there furious. “Buck that child has no manners. She called me a name when I said I was her mother and called me a strange lady. I had the right to spank her. It’s the only way to discipline children.”
“Lucy you had no right to hit Faith. We don’t hit in this house. She’s never been hit in her life and this will be the first and last time she will be hit ever. Did she say you weren’t her Ka?” Lucy nodded her head feeling a little bad. “That’s what she calls Jane. It means Mother in Kiowa. She calls me Ta which means Father in Kiowa. She knows that Ike kids call Emily Mama and Kid’s little boy calls Louise Mommy. You shouldn’t have said you’re her mother. She’s only little she doesn’t understand who you are. Now I think it’s time I bring you back to town. You won’t be seeing Faith again. She’s afraid of you now.”
Buck escorted Lucy out of the house to the buckboard and took her back to town. When they got to the hotel Lucy said, “I’m sorry Buck. I’m not mother material and you are raising Faith just fine. I’m happy you found Jane. You deserve to be happy. You won’t see me again. I wish you the best.”
Buck helped Lucy out of the buckboard and walked her into the hotel. He didn’t know what to say so he just said, “Good-bye Lucy, thank you for giving me Faith.”
Chapter Twenty One
Lucy didn’t tell Buck that she was involved with an outlaw named John Ridley and his gang. She was to detain the Marshal and keep him occupied as long as she could so the Ridley Gang could rob the bank.
The day after Lucy met Faith was the day of the robbery. Buck had taken Jane and Faith to the doctor to have their checkups and then to lunch at the restaurant. Buck had to go to the blacksmiths and Jane took Faith to the bank to put some money in their account.
Lucy was in place to go talk to Teaspoon about Buck and Faith and cry about what she should do while the Ridley gang got into place. Jane was at the teller’s window and Faith was standing next to her being a very good girl. Then the doors to the bank burst open and there were six men with guns pointed at them. Jane pushed Faith behind her as she turned around.
Lucy was in the marshal’s office crying to Teaspoon who was doing his best to quiet her down. Then a young boy ran into the marshal’s office yelling, “Marshal, outlaws are robbing the bank!” Teaspoon was out the door without another look at Lucy. Lucy hurried to the buckboard she rented to get to the gang’s hideout. Buck and Teaspoon’s deputy were surrounding the building as Teaspoon called out to the robbers and said, “We’ve got the place surrounded! Come out with your hands up! Leave the innocent people in the bank unharmed! We don’t want anybody to get hurt!”
“Sure, old man we’ll come out, but you might not want to be shootin’ at me and if you shoot any of my boys here it’s sure to get messy,” John Ridley said as they made their way out of the bank. Teaspoon and Buck were about to shoot when their hearts almost stopped. Ridley had a hostage and he meant to kill her if they were shot at or hurt in any way.
Faith was being held by Ridley and looked more scared than any child should ever be. She saw Buck and screamed, “TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!” Then she started crying. Buck had to be restrained by Teaspoon, his deputy and several men in town. The outlaws got on their horses and rode off. Buck knew Jane was inside the bank and ran inside to find her sitting on the floor sobbing holding Faith’s stuffed bear, Bernie. Buck ran to her side. He checked to see if she was hurt. She looked fine. She started to speak.
“Buck, I said to take me, but he took our little girl. Why would he take her? I couldn’t protect her. Go! Go find her before he hurts her. I failed you and Faith. I’m a terrible mother,” Jane wailed.
Buck took Jane in his arms and rocked her. “Jane, you’re an excellent mother and you didn’t fail anyone. There was nothing you could do. They were big men with guns. Your small and pregnant and you had no weapon. I’ll find her and we’ll be together again as soon as possible. I need to know you’re okay and that the baby is okay. Can you get up?”
“Yes, I’m fine the teller helped me sit down and I haven’t moved since. Buck, go find her. Emily and Louise are in Tompkins store go get them and they can bring me to the docs. Our little girl needs you. Please, I’m fine.”
“Okay I’m going to pick you up and sit you in a chair and go get Louise and Emily. Look here they come now. Good Ike and Kid are with them. We need to track those bastards who took our Bunny.”
Louise and Emily took Jane to the docs while Buck, Teaspoon, Ike and Kid made their way to their horses. Buck picked up the trail and they followed it to the outlaw’s hideout.
Buck was sickened by what he found. Faith was tied to a tree and gagged. Her, eyes where as big as saucers and she looked so scared and small. Buck then saw something that angered him beyond all reason. He saw Lucy sitting with Ridley and they looked like they were lovers. He saw Lucy look at Faith every, once in a while and get a look of worry on her face then she would bring her attention back to Ridley.
Buck signed to Ike to go around and cut Faith free and then get back to the horses and bring her home to Jane. Ike made his way to Faith and untied her. Just as he was about to pick her up Faith got the gag off her mouth and yelled, “TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Then she ran into the campsite and all everyone could do was watch. As she ran gunshots rang out.
Ridley took aim at Faith and Buck was too far away to save her. Lucy seeing Ridley take aim and fire jumped in front of Faith and took the bullet meant for her daughter. Ridley took aim at Faith again, but Buck was too quick for him he shot Ridley dead and yelled for Ike to get Faith out of there. Ike grabbed Faith and rushed to the horses. Buck, Teaspoon and Kid took out the other gang members.
Buck made his way to Lucy who lay dying from the bullet meant for Faith. He knelt down beside her and looked at her with tears in his eyes. “Thank you, Lucy for saving our daughter.”
“I had to do something to save her. She’s too precious to die. Thank you, Buck for being her father and raising her so good. She’s going to be a great lady someday. I was right to leave her with you. You and Jane are wonderful parents. She really suits you. Tell Faith that I always loved her and that I’m sorry for hitting her. I know she was scared and I didn’t do anything about it. I always loved you, Buck. I was wrong not to contact you when I was pregnant. I’m sorry...” Lucy died with words of love and regret on her lips. Buck cried for the girl he once knew. She had given him a new life, one with purpose and meaning. She gave him a great gift that he could never repay.
The day after Lucy met Faith was the day of the robbery. Buck had taken Jane and Faith to the doctor to have their checkups and then to lunch at the restaurant. Buck had to go to the blacksmiths and Jane took Faith to the bank to put some money in their account.
Lucy was in place to go talk to Teaspoon about Buck and Faith and cry about what she should do while the Ridley gang got into place. Jane was at the teller’s window and Faith was standing next to her being a very good girl. Then the doors to the bank burst open and there were six men with guns pointed at them. Jane pushed Faith behind her as she turned around.
Lucy was in the marshal’s office crying to Teaspoon who was doing his best to quiet her down. Then a young boy ran into the marshal’s office yelling, “Marshal, outlaws are robbing the bank!” Teaspoon was out the door without another look at Lucy. Lucy hurried to the buckboard she rented to get to the gang’s hideout. Buck and Teaspoon’s deputy were surrounding the building as Teaspoon called out to the robbers and said, “We’ve got the place surrounded! Come out with your hands up! Leave the innocent people in the bank unharmed! We don’t want anybody to get hurt!”
“Sure, old man we’ll come out, but you might not want to be shootin’ at me and if you shoot any of my boys here it’s sure to get messy,” John Ridley said as they made their way out of the bank. Teaspoon and Buck were about to shoot when their hearts almost stopped. Ridley had a hostage and he meant to kill her if they were shot at or hurt in any way.
Faith was being held by Ridley and looked more scared than any child should ever be. She saw Buck and screamed, “TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!” Then she started crying. Buck had to be restrained by Teaspoon, his deputy and several men in town. The outlaws got on their horses and rode off. Buck knew Jane was inside the bank and ran inside to find her sitting on the floor sobbing holding Faith’s stuffed bear, Bernie. Buck ran to her side. He checked to see if she was hurt. She looked fine. She started to speak.
“Buck, I said to take me, but he took our little girl. Why would he take her? I couldn’t protect her. Go! Go find her before he hurts her. I failed you and Faith. I’m a terrible mother,” Jane wailed.
Buck took Jane in his arms and rocked her. “Jane, you’re an excellent mother and you didn’t fail anyone. There was nothing you could do. They were big men with guns. Your small and pregnant and you had no weapon. I’ll find her and we’ll be together again as soon as possible. I need to know you’re okay and that the baby is okay. Can you get up?”
“Yes, I’m fine the teller helped me sit down and I haven’t moved since. Buck, go find her. Emily and Louise are in Tompkins store go get them and they can bring me to the docs. Our little girl needs you. Please, I’m fine.”
“Okay I’m going to pick you up and sit you in a chair and go get Louise and Emily. Look here they come now. Good Ike and Kid are with them. We need to track those bastards who took our Bunny.”
Louise and Emily took Jane to the docs while Buck, Teaspoon, Ike and Kid made their way to their horses. Buck picked up the trail and they followed it to the outlaw’s hideout.
Buck was sickened by what he found. Faith was tied to a tree and gagged. Her, eyes where as big as saucers and she looked so scared and small. Buck then saw something that angered him beyond all reason. He saw Lucy sitting with Ridley and they looked like they were lovers. He saw Lucy look at Faith every, once in a while and get a look of worry on her face then she would bring her attention back to Ridley.
Buck signed to Ike to go around and cut Faith free and then get back to the horses and bring her home to Jane. Ike made his way to Faith and untied her. Just as he was about to pick her up Faith got the gag off her mouth and yelled, “TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Then she ran into the campsite and all everyone could do was watch. As she ran gunshots rang out.
Ridley took aim at Faith and Buck was too far away to save her. Lucy seeing Ridley take aim and fire jumped in front of Faith and took the bullet meant for her daughter. Ridley took aim at Faith again, but Buck was too quick for him he shot Ridley dead and yelled for Ike to get Faith out of there. Ike grabbed Faith and rushed to the horses. Buck, Teaspoon and Kid took out the other gang members.
Buck made his way to Lucy who lay dying from the bullet meant for Faith. He knelt down beside her and looked at her with tears in his eyes. “Thank you, Lucy for saving our daughter.”
“I had to do something to save her. She’s too precious to die. Thank you, Buck for being her father and raising her so good. She’s going to be a great lady someday. I was right to leave her with you. You and Jane are wonderful parents. She really suits you. Tell Faith that I always loved her and that I’m sorry for hitting her. I know she was scared and I didn’t do anything about it. I always loved you, Buck. I was wrong not to contact you when I was pregnant. I’m sorry...” Lucy died with words of love and regret on her lips. Buck cried for the girl he once knew. She had given him a new life, one with purpose and meaning. She gave him a great gift that he could never repay.