Their Setting Sun
A/N This story is an AU that begins in season 3 after Ike’s death. It is a fanon Buck/Lou
story. Kid is featured for a very small part of the story. If you’ve never given a Buck/Lou
story a try maybe you should. I’ll have more up soon. S.
story. Kid is featured for a very small part of the story. If you’ve never given a Buck/Lou
story a try maybe you should. I’ll have more up soon. S.
Chapter One
Buck couldn't understand it. How could they just act like Ike was never even there? They just go about their days and not even think about him. Buck had a chip on his shoulder and he was angry all the time.
Lou was upset over Ike's death but couldn't talk to anyone about it. She had loved the silent, gentle rider as a brother. He could never be replaced in her heart, but now her heart was hurting again. She and Kid had been broken up for months and she didn't see any signs of them getting back together. She was heartbroken.
Teaspoon had a delivery to go to Silver Lake and it needed two guns. He decided that Buck and Lou would be the best to send because Lou could possibly get Buck through his anger and getting Lou away from Kid and their constant tension would give the girl a break.
At supper that night Teaspoon announced that Buck and Lou would be going on a week long ride to Silver Lake to deliver a package and pick one up. They would leave at sun up. Both Buck and Lou looked at each other and shrugged as they went to get their things together. Lou thought she'd bring her dress and maybe Buck would want to go out to eat with 'Louise'.
Lou was upset over Ike's death but couldn't talk to anyone about it. She had loved the silent, gentle rider as a brother. He could never be replaced in her heart, but now her heart was hurting again. She and Kid had been broken up for months and she didn't see any signs of them getting back together. She was heartbroken.
Teaspoon had a delivery to go to Silver Lake and it needed two guns. He decided that Buck and Lou would be the best to send because Lou could possibly get Buck through his anger and getting Lou away from Kid and their constant tension would give the girl a break.
At supper that night Teaspoon announced that Buck and Lou would be going on a week long ride to Silver Lake to deliver a package and pick one up. They would leave at sun up. Both Buck and Lou looked at each other and shrugged as they went to get their things together. Lou thought she'd bring her dress and maybe Buck would want to go out to eat with 'Louise'.
They left at sunrise. They both didn't want to talk. Lou tried by midday to get Buck to talk, but he was mum. They slept that night under the stars. Buck awoke to the sounds of someone crying. Buck instantly knew it was Lou. He was angry but not thoughtless. He moved over to where Lou lay in a ball by the fire and touched her back.
"Lou what's the matter? Do you need something?" Buck asked a sobbing Lou.
"I'm sorry I woke you Buck. I'll be alright. Go back to sleep," Lou said between sobs.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Buck asked against his better judgment.
Lou rolled over so she could look at Buck. "I know you're still hurting bad over Ike. I miss him so much. He was so special and he really was a true friend to me. Did he ever tell you who really broke that pitchfork in the barn in Sweetwater?" Lou replied.
"I thought it was him. He said it was and he said he would pay for it. Who really broke the pitchfork, Lou?" Buck asked thinking that Lou was about to confess something to him.
"It was me. Kid and me had a fight and I was so mad I slammed it down on the ground inside the barn and it broke in two. Ike saw this and talked me down and said he would take the blame for the pitchfork. He never told anyone that it was me. I tried to pay him back the money, but he wouldn't take it. He said that Kid was treating me badly and I had the right to be mad. He said if I ever needed to talk to come to him. I must have gone to talk to him just about every day. He helped me so much. I miss him something awful. He truly was like the big brother I always wished for. I'm sorry to bother you with this Buck. I don't have Ike anymore to help me. I guess being here on a run that Ike and me took right before he died is making it hurt bad. Go back to sleep. I'll be alright," Lou said as she went to turn over away from the fire.
Buck let her roll over and watched her as he settled in and fell asleep. Buck couldn't believe that Ike and Lou had such a friendship. She thought of Ike as a big brother just like he thought of Ike as a brother. He felt a sense of calm come over him. There was someone that missed Ike almost as much as he did. He lay down and for the first time since Ike, died he didn't feel angry.
"Lou what's the matter? Do you need something?" Buck asked a sobbing Lou.
"I'm sorry I woke you Buck. I'll be alright. Go back to sleep," Lou said between sobs.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Buck asked against his better judgment.
Lou rolled over so she could look at Buck. "I know you're still hurting bad over Ike. I miss him so much. He was so special and he really was a true friend to me. Did he ever tell you who really broke that pitchfork in the barn in Sweetwater?" Lou replied.
"I thought it was him. He said it was and he said he would pay for it. Who really broke the pitchfork, Lou?" Buck asked thinking that Lou was about to confess something to him.
"It was me. Kid and me had a fight and I was so mad I slammed it down on the ground inside the barn and it broke in two. Ike saw this and talked me down and said he would take the blame for the pitchfork. He never told anyone that it was me. I tried to pay him back the money, but he wouldn't take it. He said that Kid was treating me badly and I had the right to be mad. He said if I ever needed to talk to come to him. I must have gone to talk to him just about every day. He helped me so much. I miss him something awful. He truly was like the big brother I always wished for. I'm sorry to bother you with this Buck. I don't have Ike anymore to help me. I guess being here on a run that Ike and me took right before he died is making it hurt bad. Go back to sleep. I'll be alright," Lou said as she went to turn over away from the fire.
Buck let her roll over and watched her as he settled in and fell asleep. Buck couldn't believe that Ike and Lou had such a friendship. She thought of Ike as a big brother just like he thought of Ike as a brother. He felt a sense of calm come over him. There was someone that missed Ike almost as much as he did. He lay down and for the first time since Ike, died he didn't feel angry.
Chapter Two
The next morning after a quick breakfast they headed out. By suppertime they made their way into the Town of Silver Lake. Buck took the horses to the livery while Lou took the package to the recipient who said that the other package would be ready in a day or two. Lou met Buck outside the hotel and they went in to get rooms.
"Sorry we only have one room left. You two fellers seem to be traveling together why don't you share it. It has a big bed plenty of room for both of you boys," The hotel clerk said.
"What do you say Lou?" Buck asked Lou raising his eyebrow.
"Okay, what the hell. I don't want to be sleeping with the horses. We'll take the room," Lou said as she smiled at Buck.
Lou had always been attracted to Buck and often wondered what it would have been like if Buck had found out her secret first. At times she wanted to kiss him for the things he would do for her. He was the kindest of the riders and the most thoughtful. She saw in his eyes something different when she walked down Emma's stairs at her coming out party. It was different than when Jimmy or even Kid looked at her. There was a spark a look of wanting and needing in his face like he truly wanted Lou to be with him in every way possible. Lou never forgot that. If it hadn't been for Kid, she would have wanted to have a relationship with Buck. He was gorgeous and had such an expressive face. His smile was so sweet and when he raised his eyebrow it made Lou want to melt into his arms. She would have loved to be loved by him.
"Sorry we only have one room left. You two fellers seem to be traveling together why don't you share it. It has a big bed plenty of room for both of you boys," The hotel clerk said.
"What do you say Lou?" Buck asked Lou raising his eyebrow.
"Okay, what the hell. I don't want to be sleeping with the horses. We'll take the room," Lou said as she smiled at Buck.
Lou had always been attracted to Buck and often wondered what it would have been like if Buck had found out her secret first. At times she wanted to kiss him for the things he would do for her. He was the kindest of the riders and the most thoughtful. She saw in his eyes something different when she walked down Emma's stairs at her coming out party. It was different than when Jimmy or even Kid looked at her. There was a spark a look of wanting and needing in his face like he truly wanted Lou to be with him in every way possible. Lou never forgot that. If it hadn't been for Kid, she would have wanted to have a relationship with Buck. He was gorgeous and had such an expressive face. His smile was so sweet and when he raised his eyebrow it made Lou want to melt into his arms. She would have loved to be loved by him.
Buck said he didn't want supper and would be gone for a while. He was really starting to feel the pain of Ike's death again after talking to Lou the night before. He couldn't be in her presence right then. Lou went to the hotel dining room for supper then went to bed.
Buck on the other hand had to lessen the pain he was feeling. He never drank except that time Kid's brother took them to all those saloons. Even then he didn't get that drunk. He needed something to kill the pain inside. He thought that getting drunk would do the trick. He knew that the saloon in this town didn't mind serving Indians so he knew he could get a drink. Buck walked into the crowded saloon. He paid for a bottle of whiskey and went to sit in a dark corner. Buck was half way through the bottle when a saloon girl approached him. He knew she would be a good distraction but he knew he would regret it in the morning. He always wanted to be with Louise. She had his heart. He told the saloon girl he didn't need her services and went on to drink the rest of the bottle.
Buck on the other hand had to lessen the pain he was feeling. He never drank except that time Kid's brother took them to all those saloons. Even then he didn't get that drunk. He needed something to kill the pain inside. He thought that getting drunk would do the trick. He knew that the saloon in this town didn't mind serving Indians so he knew he could get a drink. Buck walked into the crowded saloon. He paid for a bottle of whiskey and went to sit in a dark corner. Buck was half way through the bottle when a saloon girl approached him. He knew she would be a good distraction but he knew he would regret it in the morning. He always wanted to be with Louise. She had his heart. He told the saloon girl he didn't need her services and went on to drink the rest of the bottle.
Buck was really drunk when he made it to the room he was to share with Lou. Lou heard him stumble in.
"Buck, are you alright? Do you want me to light a lamp?" Lou asked not really asleep. She'd been up thinking about Kid and how he had hurt her. Lou sat up and looked at Buck he was sitting on the bed with his boots in his hands. She wondered what was wrong with him.
Buck stood up on wobbly legs and took his shirt off and his pants he took his long john shirt off too. He crawled into bed with Lou. Then he began to cry when he lay down with his head next to hers.
Lou looked at Buck with the full moon shining in the window. She touched his face and caressed his cheek. Buck leaned into her hand. Lou took Buck in her arms and he buried his face in her chest. Lou couldn't help herself she took hold of Buck's face and kissed him hard on the mouth. It was then she smelled and tasted the liquor. She didn't care. She kissed him until he kissed her back.
Both Buck and Lou were getting what they wanted, to be with each other. Buck unbuttoned Lou's long johns and slipped them off her body. Lou took off Buck's long john bottoms. They kissed each other, their hands were everywhere and finally when they couldn't stand it anymore. They became one. When they were finished Buck passed out from the exertion and whiskey. Lou held him in her arms thinking, 'What have we done?'
"Buck, are you alright? Do you want me to light a lamp?" Lou asked not really asleep. She'd been up thinking about Kid and how he had hurt her. Lou sat up and looked at Buck he was sitting on the bed with his boots in his hands. She wondered what was wrong with him.
Buck stood up on wobbly legs and took his shirt off and his pants he took his long john shirt off too. He crawled into bed with Lou. Then he began to cry when he lay down with his head next to hers.
Lou looked at Buck with the full moon shining in the window. She touched his face and caressed his cheek. Buck leaned into her hand. Lou took Buck in her arms and he buried his face in her chest. Lou couldn't help herself she took hold of Buck's face and kissed him hard on the mouth. It was then she smelled and tasted the liquor. She didn't care. She kissed him until he kissed her back.
Both Buck and Lou were getting what they wanted, to be with each other. Buck unbuttoned Lou's long johns and slipped them off her body. Lou took off Buck's long john bottoms. They kissed each other, their hands were everywhere and finally when they couldn't stand it anymore. They became one. When they were finished Buck passed out from the exertion and whiskey. Lou held him in her arms thinking, 'What have we done?'
Chapter Three
Buck awoke with the sun shining in through the window. His head was throbbing and painful. He tried to remember what had happened the night before. He remembered the feel of skin on skin and of soft caresses and a woman's warm body. He thought he might have gone off with that saloon girl. Then he remembered Lou's naked body with his. He couldn't believe he was so stupid and irresponsible. He had slept with Lou and didn't even know if she felt the same way about him as he did about her. Buck's stomach lurched and he reached for the chamber pot and vomited the entire contents of his stomach. He had to find Lou and apologize. Tell her how he felt about her. His next thought was he couldn't tell her how he felt because she loved Kid. How could he deal with it if she didn't care for him the way he cared for her? He could barely deal with day to day life with Ike gone. He would just act like he didn't remember. That was his best bet. Maybe she wouldn't say anything. Buck got up and realized he was still naked. He felt ashamed and embarrassed. He got dressed and made his way out of the room down the stairs and out of the hotel. He needed to know where Lou was.
Lou was walking around town thinking about what had happened the night before. She knew Buck was drunk and she had kissed him anyway. She knew he didn’t really know what he was doing because he was too drunk. It was her fault. She took advantage of Buck and now she didn’t think she could face him. Maybe it was best not to address it. Maybe he wouldn’t remember. Maybe if she acted like nothing happened, he wouldn’t bring it up. Lou couldn’t handle it if Buck didn’t feel the same way about her. She loved him. She had to admit it. She always had. She stopped outside the place where they were to pick up the package. She walked in and the package was ready to go. She went back to the hotel where she practically ran into Buck. Buck put out his hands to make sure she didn’t fall. He immediately took them away once she was steady.
Lou looked at Buck he had a blank look on his face like he didn’t remember anything. She decided not to mention it ever. He would never have to know that she took advantage of him in his drunken state. She felt relieved.
Buck tried to put a blank look on his face. One that said he remembered nothing. He couldn’t cope if Lou told him it was a mistake. When she didn’t say anything, he felt better about acting like he didn’t remember.
“I got the package. I guess we can get going,” Lou said to Buck
“I’ll go get the horses and you can get our stuff and we’ll meet back here in ten minutes. Okay?” Buck stated thinking the faster they got out of there the better.
“Sure, thing I’ll see you in ten minutes.
Ten minutes later they mounted their horses and were on their way back to Rock Creek. They had to spend one more night on the trail. They talked about mostly foolish things or didn’t talk at all. They made it back to Rock Creek the next day by suppertime.
Lou was walking around town thinking about what had happened the night before. She knew Buck was drunk and she had kissed him anyway. She knew he didn’t really know what he was doing because he was too drunk. It was her fault. She took advantage of Buck and now she didn’t think she could face him. Maybe it was best not to address it. Maybe he wouldn’t remember. Maybe if she acted like nothing happened, he wouldn’t bring it up. Lou couldn’t handle it if Buck didn’t feel the same way about her. She loved him. She had to admit it. She always had. She stopped outside the place where they were to pick up the package. She walked in and the package was ready to go. She went back to the hotel where she practically ran into Buck. Buck put out his hands to make sure she didn’t fall. He immediately took them away once she was steady.
Lou looked at Buck he had a blank look on his face like he didn’t remember anything. She decided not to mention it ever. He would never have to know that she took advantage of him in his drunken state. She felt relieved.
Buck tried to put a blank look on his face. One that said he remembered nothing. He couldn’t cope if Lou told him it was a mistake. When she didn’t say anything, he felt better about acting like he didn’t remember.
“I got the package. I guess we can get going,” Lou said to Buck
“I’ll go get the horses and you can get our stuff and we’ll meet back here in ten minutes. Okay?” Buck stated thinking the faster they got out of there the better.
“Sure, thing I’ll see you in ten minutes.
Ten minutes later they mounted their horses and were on their way back to Rock Creek. They had to spend one more night on the trail. They talked about mostly foolish things or didn’t talk at all. They made it back to Rock Creek the next day by suppertime.
Chapter Four
Buck had been having a hard time since sleeping with Lou. He ended up in the saloon a couple of times and one of the boys would drag him home and put him to bed.
Buck felt horrible that he never talked to Lou about what happened that night in Silver Lake. It was eating his insides out. He needed relief and there was only one way to find it.
A month after Buck and Lou had slept together Lou found a note on the bunkhouse table. She gasped and fell into a chair feeling like she was going to faint. The note read:
Dear family,
I can’t deal with the loss of Ike and be in Rock Creek. I have to leave and sort my life out. I can’t say if I’ll ever be back. Just know I love you all. You will always have a special place in my heart. I’m sorry if I hurt anybody. I need time alone away from people. Please forgive me. Good bye.
Buck
Lou let out a cry that had the whole bunkhouse awake in seconds. They all read the note and couldn’t believe he was gone. Lou took it the hardest. She now regretted the fact that she said nothing to Buck. Now she didn’t know if he would ever get the chance to tell him she loved him.
Buck felt horrible that he never talked to Lou about what happened that night in Silver Lake. It was eating his insides out. He needed relief and there was only one way to find it.
A month after Buck and Lou had slept together Lou found a note on the bunkhouse table. She gasped and fell into a chair feeling like she was going to faint. The note read:
Dear family,
I can’t deal with the loss of Ike and be in Rock Creek. I have to leave and sort my life out. I can’t say if I’ll ever be back. Just know I love you all. You will always have a special place in my heart. I’m sorry if I hurt anybody. I need time alone away from people. Please forgive me. Good bye.
Buck
Lou let out a cry that had the whole bunkhouse awake in seconds. They all read the note and couldn’t believe he was gone. Lou took it the hardest. She now regretted the fact that she said nothing to Buck. Now she didn’t know if he would ever get the chance to tell him she loved him.
Chapter Five
A month after Buck had left Kid and Lou got back together. Lou heart was only half in their relationship. Kid didn’t notice. He was just happy that they were back together.
Another month passed and Buck still had not returned. Kid asked Lou to marry him and Lou not knowing what to do said yes.
They were to marry in three weeks. Lou was worried. She was sick after every meal and was very tired and emotional. She thought she knew what it was but, wanted the doctor to confirm it.
Another month passed and Buck still had not returned. Kid asked Lou to marry him and Lou not knowing what to do said yes.
They were to marry in three weeks. Lou was worried. She was sick after every meal and was very tired and emotional. She thought she knew what it was but, wanted the doctor to confirm it.
Louise went to the doctor. He examined her and told her she was with child. She was three months along and doing fine. Lou left the doctors with a feeling of happiness and dread. She would have to tell Kid that she was pregnant by someone other than him.
Lou approached Kid in the barn. “Kid I need to talk to you.”
“What is it Lou?” Kid said expecting to hear something about the wedding.
“Kid I’m pregnant. I’m three months along,” Lou said waiting for the tirade she knew was coming.
“You’re preg...? Lou you can’t be three months pregnant? We weren’t together then. If I’m not the father then who is?! You tell me now Lou! TELL ME!” Kid screamed. He flung the curry comb in his hand across the barn.
Lou was scared by how angry Kid was getting. He took a step toward her and she blurted it out. “The baby’s father is Buck.” Kid stopped mid stride and looked at the woman he thought he knew and loved.
“BUCK! He must have forced himself on you. There’s no way you would sleep with Buck. Did he Lou? Did he force himself on you? TELL ME LOU!” Kid bellowed.
“No, he didn’t. I took advantage of the situation. He was drunk. We had to share a room in Silver Lake. We shared the bed. I kissed him and one thing led to another. I’m sorry Kid. I never thought this would happen. Please forgive me. Please accept the baby.”
“You WHORE! It wasn’t bad enough you worked in a whorehouse now you go and act like a whore with one of our friends. I will never accept that bastard baby and I will not be marrying a whore. We’re through Lou. I wash my hands of you. Get out of my sight!” Kid screamed so loud that it brought Rachel and Teaspoon out of the station house. They saw Lou run to the bunkhouse.
"What in tar nation happened to get you so riled up Kid?" Teaspoon asked Kid as Rachel went to see how Louise was.
"She's pregnant. It's not mine. It's Buck's. How could she, Teaspoon? She said she took advantage of the situation and that Buck was drunk. She says she kissed him and one thing led to another. She wants me to forgive her and accept that baby as if it were my own. I don't even want to set eyes on that bastard of hers. I'm finished with Lou. I had decided to stay here with Lou now I'm going to Virginia to fight for my home. I won't be branded a fool by everyone in Rock Creek. I got to get my things together. I'll leave in the morning. I'll say good bye to almost everyone then," Kid told Teaspoon as he walked to the bunkhouse.
"Kid you're making a big mistake. You'll regret what you're doing. I'm telling you to let things simmer down and then talk it out," Teaspoon shouted as he followed Kid across the station yard.
Luckily for Lou Rachel had brought her over to the station house and was giving her a cup of chamomile tea.
"Louise, tell me what happened between you and Buck. How did you two get to the place where you would have sex?" Rachel asked Lou truly concerned for the girl.
"I've always had feelings for Buck. I often wondered what would have happened if Buck found out my secret first instead of Kid. I love Buck, Rachel. Ever since the day we met and I introduced myself to him and Ike. His eyes were so kind and he was so, I guess you could call it, beautiful in a manly way. I really hope he comes back to his family. Even if it's just me and the baby and everyone else has moved on. I'll stay in Rock Creek until I die waiting for him. I thought marrying Kid would solve the loneliness I feel without Buck around. I truly do have feelings for Kid but they’re just not as strong as the ones I have for Buck. Kid made it clear he doesn't want me or my baby. He called my baby a bastard. Rachel how could someone who cared about me say such a thing?" Louise said sipping her tea trying not to cry.
"You still haven't answered my question about how you and Buck were together," Rachel prodded Lou to tell her how it happened.
"It was when we went on that run to Silver Lake. We had to share a room because they didn't have two. Buck went off to the saloon and got drunk. When he came back, I was in bed thinking on things. He stumbled in got undressed down to his long john bottoms and got into bed. The next thing I know he was crying. I tried to comfort him but all I wanted to do was kiss him. So, I did until he kissed me back. Things just kind of snowballed from there. We ended up having sex. It wasn't rough, actually Buck was very gentle. He passed out afterward. I just lay there holding him. I got up the next morning and let him sleep off the liquor. I don't even think he remembers it. He never mentioned it so I figured he didn't remember. I'm not sorry it happened. I have a part of Buck with me to love and care for. He'll come back someday. He will know he has a child. I'll tell him I love him then. I just wish he was here. I miss him so much," Lou told Rachel as she started to cry again.
"I'm always here for you Louise. You won't be alone. I promise you that." Rachel said as she hugged Louise and rocked her like a mother would her child.
Lou approached Kid in the barn. “Kid I need to talk to you.”
“What is it Lou?” Kid said expecting to hear something about the wedding.
“Kid I’m pregnant. I’m three months along,” Lou said waiting for the tirade she knew was coming.
“You’re preg...? Lou you can’t be three months pregnant? We weren’t together then. If I’m not the father then who is?! You tell me now Lou! TELL ME!” Kid screamed. He flung the curry comb in his hand across the barn.
Lou was scared by how angry Kid was getting. He took a step toward her and she blurted it out. “The baby’s father is Buck.” Kid stopped mid stride and looked at the woman he thought he knew and loved.
“BUCK! He must have forced himself on you. There’s no way you would sleep with Buck. Did he Lou? Did he force himself on you? TELL ME LOU!” Kid bellowed.
“No, he didn’t. I took advantage of the situation. He was drunk. We had to share a room in Silver Lake. We shared the bed. I kissed him and one thing led to another. I’m sorry Kid. I never thought this would happen. Please forgive me. Please accept the baby.”
“You WHORE! It wasn’t bad enough you worked in a whorehouse now you go and act like a whore with one of our friends. I will never accept that bastard baby and I will not be marrying a whore. We’re through Lou. I wash my hands of you. Get out of my sight!” Kid screamed so loud that it brought Rachel and Teaspoon out of the station house. They saw Lou run to the bunkhouse.
"What in tar nation happened to get you so riled up Kid?" Teaspoon asked Kid as Rachel went to see how Louise was.
"She's pregnant. It's not mine. It's Buck's. How could she, Teaspoon? She said she took advantage of the situation and that Buck was drunk. She says she kissed him and one thing led to another. She wants me to forgive her and accept that baby as if it were my own. I don't even want to set eyes on that bastard of hers. I'm finished with Lou. I had decided to stay here with Lou now I'm going to Virginia to fight for my home. I won't be branded a fool by everyone in Rock Creek. I got to get my things together. I'll leave in the morning. I'll say good bye to almost everyone then," Kid told Teaspoon as he walked to the bunkhouse.
"Kid you're making a big mistake. You'll regret what you're doing. I'm telling you to let things simmer down and then talk it out," Teaspoon shouted as he followed Kid across the station yard.
Luckily for Lou Rachel had brought her over to the station house and was giving her a cup of chamomile tea.
"Louise, tell me what happened between you and Buck. How did you two get to the place where you would have sex?" Rachel asked Lou truly concerned for the girl.
"I've always had feelings for Buck. I often wondered what would have happened if Buck found out my secret first instead of Kid. I love Buck, Rachel. Ever since the day we met and I introduced myself to him and Ike. His eyes were so kind and he was so, I guess you could call it, beautiful in a manly way. I really hope he comes back to his family. Even if it's just me and the baby and everyone else has moved on. I'll stay in Rock Creek until I die waiting for him. I thought marrying Kid would solve the loneliness I feel without Buck around. I truly do have feelings for Kid but they’re just not as strong as the ones I have for Buck. Kid made it clear he doesn't want me or my baby. He called my baby a bastard. Rachel how could someone who cared about me say such a thing?" Louise said sipping her tea trying not to cry.
"You still haven't answered my question about how you and Buck were together," Rachel prodded Lou to tell her how it happened.
"It was when we went on that run to Silver Lake. We had to share a room because they didn't have two. Buck went off to the saloon and got drunk. When he came back, I was in bed thinking on things. He stumbled in got undressed down to his long john bottoms and got into bed. The next thing I know he was crying. I tried to comfort him but all I wanted to do was kiss him. So, I did until he kissed me back. Things just kind of snowballed from there. We ended up having sex. It wasn't rough, actually Buck was very gentle. He passed out afterward. I just lay there holding him. I got up the next morning and let him sleep off the liquor. I don't even think he remembers it. He never mentioned it so I figured he didn't remember. I'm not sorry it happened. I have a part of Buck with me to love and care for. He'll come back someday. He will know he has a child. I'll tell him I love him then. I just wish he was here. I miss him so much," Lou told Rachel as she started to cry again.
"I'm always here for you Louise. You won't be alone. I promise you that." Rachel said as she hugged Louise and rocked her like a mother would her child.
Chapter Six
The end of the express was at hand. Kid had already left for Virginia two months before. Noah had been killed tragically by southern raiders. Cody had joined the Army as a Scout and was already off with his company. Jimmy was in love with Rosemary Burke and had left for Kansas to work with the abolitionists. Lou felt so alone. She still had Teaspoon and Rachel but she was still lonely. She was now in her fifth month of pregnancy and the baby and she were doing fine except for the melancholy she felt about everyone being gone, but it was especially about Buck. He had been gone four months. Lou was beginning to lose hope of ever seeing him again. She wanted him to feel the baby kick and watch her belly grow. She wanted him to be the first to hold their child. She wanted to see his face when he first looked at the baby. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him and the baby. That he and the baby were the best things that had ever happened to her. She was going into a bad depression. Teaspoon and Rachel did everything they could think of to make Lou happy again if even for a short amount of time. Lou cried every day. She wasn’t interested in anything for the baby. It was Rachel who made up a nursery in the home that she and Teaspoon had bought from the express. Lou would stay in bed most of the day and just get up to eat and use the privy. Teaspoon and Rachel were worried she wouldn’t make it through the delivery because she had seemed to have given up hope. Teaspoon would skin Buck alive if he knew where he was, but if Teaspoon knew where Buck was, he would hog tie him to get him there.
Chapter Seven
One afternoon as Rachel was cleaning up from lunch, she heard a crash from upstairs. Rachel rushed up the stairs to find Louise doubled over in pain the water pitcher, from the wash stand shattered on the floor.
“Louise, are you in labor?” Rachel asked thinking maybe Louise had a fit of rage and broke the pitcher and was now crying over it.
“Yes, Rachel, the baby’s coming. I need the doctor,” Lou said as Rachel helped her into bed.
“Teaspoon's out in the barn. I’ll call him from the window. I won’t leave you Louise. I always keep my promises. You will not be alone.” Rachel told Lou as she ran to the window and called for Teaspoon. Teaspoon came out of the barn and signaled Rachel that he would go get the doctor. Minutes later the sound of hoof beats going out of the yard were heard.
The doctor came and took a look at Louise. He said it might be a while before the baby came. He also said since Louise was in a delicate state of mind he would stay where he would usually go back to his office and come back when the baby was closer to coming.
Lou’s labor was exhausting for her. She kept calling for Buck but not in a good way. She told Rachel if she ever saw him, again she would shoot him between the legs and he would no longer be able to father children. She yelled that she hated him and would never allow him to see her child. Then right before the baby came, she yelled out, “Buck I need you! I love you! Why aren’t you here?”
Finally, the baby was born and Lou passed out from exhaustion. The doctor checked her as Rachel cleaned off the baby. The sun was almost done setting. Lou woke up and asked if her baby was alright. She seemed to have a new outlook on life now that the baby was there.
Rachel brought the baby over to Louise.
“She’s beautiful Louise. She was born just as the sun was setting. She's healthy and strong.” Rachel told Louise as she handed her baby girl to her. Rachel was crying at the sight of mother and daughter being together for the first time.
“It’s a girl? I wanted a girl. Lou pulled back the blanket from the baby’s face and smiled. “She looks just like her daddy. She even has his eyes. Welcome to the world Mary “Setting Sun” McCloud. I think we’ll call you Sunny because you are a ray of sunshine in my life.”
“Oh, Louise I love her name. The Setting Sun part is for Buck, right? I like the name Sunny,” Rachel said to Louise who was engrossed with her baby.
“Thank you, Rachel. Yes, the Setting Sun part is for Buck and so Sunny will know her heritage at least a little. I thought Sunny fits her to a tee. I can’t believe how much she looks like Buck. It’s uncanny.”
Rachel got Louise into a new nightgown and put clean sheets on the bed. They then let Teaspoon in to see Louise and the new addition.
“Well hello there Louise. I hear the bun is out of the oven. How do you feel? Is everybody okay?” Teaspoon said as he walked into the room and pulled up a chair.
“Teaspoon I’d like you to meet your Granddaughter Mary “Setting Sun” McCloud. I’m calling her Sunny. You don’t mind being her Grampa, do you? I should have asked first. I’m sorry.” Louise said to Teaspoon holding up Baby Sunny.
“Oh, I was hoping you’d let me be her grandfather. There’s no need to be sorry. Now I have a granddaughter I have to say hello to.” Lou handed Sunny over to Teaspoon. “Well hello there little one you sure are a pretty little thing. I’m your Grampa Teaspoon, but for now you can just call me Grampa the Teaspoon part will come later when you are talking a blue streak. I want you to know that I am always here for you and will play with you and bring you in town to buy you some penny candy. That is when you’re old enough. Okay you go to sleep and have yourself a little cat nap. We’ll talk again later.” Teaspoon said kissing Sunny on the head as she fell asleep and he handed her back to Louise who was yawning. “Louise you did a wonderful job, Sweetheart,” Teaspoon added as he kissed Lou's head and left the room to let mother and daughter sleep.
“Louise, are you in labor?” Rachel asked thinking maybe Louise had a fit of rage and broke the pitcher and was now crying over it.
“Yes, Rachel, the baby’s coming. I need the doctor,” Lou said as Rachel helped her into bed.
“Teaspoon's out in the barn. I’ll call him from the window. I won’t leave you Louise. I always keep my promises. You will not be alone.” Rachel told Lou as she ran to the window and called for Teaspoon. Teaspoon came out of the barn and signaled Rachel that he would go get the doctor. Minutes later the sound of hoof beats going out of the yard were heard.
The doctor came and took a look at Louise. He said it might be a while before the baby came. He also said since Louise was in a delicate state of mind he would stay where he would usually go back to his office and come back when the baby was closer to coming.
Lou’s labor was exhausting for her. She kept calling for Buck but not in a good way. She told Rachel if she ever saw him, again she would shoot him between the legs and he would no longer be able to father children. She yelled that she hated him and would never allow him to see her child. Then right before the baby came, she yelled out, “Buck I need you! I love you! Why aren’t you here?”
Finally, the baby was born and Lou passed out from exhaustion. The doctor checked her as Rachel cleaned off the baby. The sun was almost done setting. Lou woke up and asked if her baby was alright. She seemed to have a new outlook on life now that the baby was there.
Rachel brought the baby over to Louise.
“She’s beautiful Louise. She was born just as the sun was setting. She's healthy and strong.” Rachel told Louise as she handed her baby girl to her. Rachel was crying at the sight of mother and daughter being together for the first time.
“It’s a girl? I wanted a girl. Lou pulled back the blanket from the baby’s face and smiled. “She looks just like her daddy. She even has his eyes. Welcome to the world Mary “Setting Sun” McCloud. I think we’ll call you Sunny because you are a ray of sunshine in my life.”
“Oh, Louise I love her name. The Setting Sun part is for Buck, right? I like the name Sunny,” Rachel said to Louise who was engrossed with her baby.
“Thank you, Rachel. Yes, the Setting Sun part is for Buck and so Sunny will know her heritage at least a little. I thought Sunny fits her to a tee. I can’t believe how much she looks like Buck. It’s uncanny.”
Rachel got Louise into a new nightgown and put clean sheets on the bed. They then let Teaspoon in to see Louise and the new addition.
“Well hello there Louise. I hear the bun is out of the oven. How do you feel? Is everybody okay?” Teaspoon said as he walked into the room and pulled up a chair.
“Teaspoon I’d like you to meet your Granddaughter Mary “Setting Sun” McCloud. I’m calling her Sunny. You don’t mind being her Grampa, do you? I should have asked first. I’m sorry.” Louise said to Teaspoon holding up Baby Sunny.
“Oh, I was hoping you’d let me be her grandfather. There’s no need to be sorry. Now I have a granddaughter I have to say hello to.” Lou handed Sunny over to Teaspoon. “Well hello there little one you sure are a pretty little thing. I’m your Grampa Teaspoon, but for now you can just call me Grampa the Teaspoon part will come later when you are talking a blue streak. I want you to know that I am always here for you and will play with you and bring you in town to buy you some penny candy. That is when you’re old enough. Okay you go to sleep and have yourself a little cat nap. We’ll talk again later.” Teaspoon said kissing Sunny on the head as she fell asleep and he handed her back to Louise who was yawning. “Louise you did a wonderful job, Sweetheart,” Teaspoon added as he kissed Lou's head and left the room to let mother and daughter sleep.
Chapter Eight
As time passed Lou’s hope that Buck would come back was beginning to go away almost completely. Sunny grew and began doing the things babies do. She started to crawl, stand up and walk all within the first ten months of her life. She was running everywhere by her first birthday. She was, like Teaspoon said, talking a blue streak by the time she was two.
Louise found a house for her and Sunny and she started taking in sewing from the town’s people to pay the rent on the house. Soon she was making dresses for the ladies of Rock Creek. She was becoming a very sought after, dressmaker. Every afternoon after Sunny’s nap Teaspoon would come to take his favorite little ray of sunshine, as he put it, to the general store and by her some gum drops and show her off to all the ladies in town. Everyone in town understood Louise’s situation and accepted her and Sunny with no talk going around about her or the baby. They knew the baby was Buck’s and no one not even Tompkins had a problem with it once they saw Baby Sunny. She loved people and loved her Gumpa and Gamma. She couldn’t quite say Grampa and Gramma yet. Sunny was Lou’s pride and joy. She had her in dresses she made for her and pretty bonnets she also made. She would put her hair in pigtails and bows. Louise and Sunny were happy and had a good life. Lou was content doing her sewing and taking care and loving her daughter. She rarely thought of Buck, but when she did, she would think how sad it was that he was missing his daughter's life. That in turn made her mad at Buck for not coming back. Lou resigned herself to never seeing Buck again.
Louise found a house for her and Sunny and she started taking in sewing from the town’s people to pay the rent on the house. Soon she was making dresses for the ladies of Rock Creek. She was becoming a very sought after, dressmaker. Every afternoon after Sunny’s nap Teaspoon would come to take his favorite little ray of sunshine, as he put it, to the general store and by her some gum drops and show her off to all the ladies in town. Everyone in town understood Louise’s situation and accepted her and Sunny with no talk going around about her or the baby. They knew the baby was Buck’s and no one not even Tompkins had a problem with it once they saw Baby Sunny. She loved people and loved her Gumpa and Gamma. She couldn’t quite say Grampa and Gramma yet. Sunny was Lou’s pride and joy. She had her in dresses she made for her and pretty bonnets she also made. She would put her hair in pigtails and bows. Louise and Sunny were happy and had a good life. Lou was content doing her sewing and taking care and loving her daughter. She rarely thought of Buck, but when she did, she would think how sad it was that he was missing his daughter's life. That in turn made her mad at Buck for not coming back. Lou resigned herself to never seeing Buck again.
Chapter Nine
It had been over three years since he was out this way. He was going to find out if any of his family was still here. He stopped at the livery and asked the owner if Lou McCloud still lived in town. He told him where the house was. He thanked the man and rode out to the McCloud place.
He had thought of Louise every day he was gone. He longed to be with her. He had had a bad period of time where all he did was drink. He didn’t drink anymore. He had gotten over the pain of Ike’s death a long time ago. He hadn’t been with a woman since Louise. He loved her more and more with every passing day. He knew there was a very good chance that she was married to Kid and had children. He just needed to see her and talk to her. That would be enough for him if she was married to Kid.
Buck rode up the small house close to the old Pony Express Station. Buck reined in his horse, dismounted and walked up on the front porch. He got up the courage and knocked on the door. He heard footsteps that he recognized as Lou’s. The door opened and there stood Louise. Her hair was longer than it was before. She had filled out a bit more too. She just stood there with her eyes wide open in shock.
“Hello Lou.” Was all Buck could get out before she slapped him so hard it made him step back, then the door slammed shut. Buck was shocked. What had made Lou want to slap him and slam the door in his face? He was so sure she would be happy to see him. He then heard a shotgun being cocked from behind the door.
“You get off my property and stay away from here Buck! I keep this shot gun loaded and ready! I’m not afraid to use it!” sounded Lou’s voice with a hard, cold edge to it. Buck backed off the front porch got back on his horse and rode off to see if Teaspoon was still around. Maybe he could shed some light on this for him.
He had thought of Louise every day he was gone. He longed to be with her. He had had a bad period of time where all he did was drink. He didn’t drink anymore. He had gotten over the pain of Ike’s death a long time ago. He hadn’t been with a woman since Louise. He loved her more and more with every passing day. He knew there was a very good chance that she was married to Kid and had children. He just needed to see her and talk to her. That would be enough for him if she was married to Kid.
Buck rode up the small house close to the old Pony Express Station. Buck reined in his horse, dismounted and walked up on the front porch. He got up the courage and knocked on the door. He heard footsteps that he recognized as Lou’s. The door opened and there stood Louise. Her hair was longer than it was before. She had filled out a bit more too. She just stood there with her eyes wide open in shock.
“Hello Lou.” Was all Buck could get out before she slapped him so hard it made him step back, then the door slammed shut. Buck was shocked. What had made Lou want to slap him and slam the door in his face? He was so sure she would be happy to see him. He then heard a shotgun being cocked from behind the door.
“You get off my property and stay away from here Buck! I keep this shot gun loaded and ready! I’m not afraid to use it!” sounded Lou’s voice with a hard, cold edge to it. Buck backed off the front porch got back on his horse and rode off to see if Teaspoon was still around. Maybe he could shed some light on this for him.
Buck pulled up in front of the marshal’s office. He walked up the stairs and opened the door to see Teaspoon with his feet on his desk and his hat pulled down over his face. He couldn’t help but smile. Some things never changed. Buck rapped his knuckles on the door jamb. Teaspoon almost fell over in his chair. Teaspoon looked up to see a very concerned looking Buck at the door.
“Who would have thought that today of all days you would walk through my door. You have a lot of explaining to do son. Come on in and have a cup of coffee. We need to talk,” Teaspoon said hoping that he hadn’t stopped at Lou’s house first.
“Teaspoon why did Lou just slap me so hard I heard my ears ring, slam the door in my face and then cock a shot gun behind the door telling me I better not come back? What did I do to her that made her that angry at me?” Buck asked with a puzzled look on his face.
“You really have no clue, do you? Oh, Lordy I have some things to tell you, Son,”
“Louise gave birth to a child about two years ago. Not just anybody’s child your child,” Teaspoon said letting it sink in.
“She had my, child? She got pregnant that one time we were together? Did she know before I left?” Buck asked dumbfounded.
“Yes, she had your child and no, she didn’t know before you left,” Teaspoon said somberly.
“You want to know if it was a boy or a girl and what the name of it is,” Buck just nodded not knowing what to say.
“You have a daughter and her full name is Mary “Setting Sun” McCloud. We call her Sunny. She was born as the sun was setting. Lou wanted her to have some sort of Indian heritage so she gave her the special name. She’s a sweetheart I tell you, Buck. Looks just like you. She’s smart as a whip and cute as a button. She calls me Gumpa and Rachel Gamma. Lou, Rachel and me are all the family she knows. The boys didn’t take kindly to Lou being with someone other than Kid. She was going to marry him. Then she found out she was pregnant. Kid had a big blow up at Lou. He left the next day for Virginia. We haven’t heard from him since. Jimmy and Cody don’t understand why Lou would take advantage of your drunken state and have sex with you. They don’t write or come by no more. Son I have some bad news for you. Noah was killed trying to save a woman abolitionist named Rosemary Burke. Jimmy went off with her after the funeral. Like I said they don’t write no more.”
Buck looked at Teaspoon and he looked like he was about to cry. He wanted to cry tears of joy because he had a daughter and cry tears of sorrow for Noah. He wanted to cry for Lou who didn’t have Jimmy or Cody to be in their daughter's life. They chose to leave and not look back because they blamed Lou for what happened. It wasn’t her fault. He let it happen. He could have stopped it from happening, but if he had there would be no Sunny. He had to laugh. Teaspoon said Sunny looked just like him. He wanted to see her so badly. He also wanted to see Lou to hold her and tell her how sorry he is for leaving her.
“Is Sunny home with Lou right now? I have an idea that might get Lou to let me see her and Sunny. I could risk getting shot, but it would be worth it,” Buck joked but was totally serious about seeing Lou and his daughter.
“Lou should be getting Sunny up from her nap. They usually go outside to wait for me to bring Sunny into town. She sure does love gumdrops. She has a sweet tooth that one. If I remember correctly you like gumdrops too. The boys used to tease you about it,” Teaspoon said laughing remembering the ribbing Buck used to get from the boys.
“I’ll be along in a bit. Just in case Louise pulls the shot gun on you. You may need some assistance,” Teaspoon said as he hugged his wayward son.
“Who would have thought that today of all days you would walk through my door. You have a lot of explaining to do son. Come on in and have a cup of coffee. We need to talk,” Teaspoon said hoping that he hadn’t stopped at Lou’s house first.
“Teaspoon why did Lou just slap me so hard I heard my ears ring, slam the door in my face and then cock a shot gun behind the door telling me I better not come back? What did I do to her that made her that angry at me?” Buck asked with a puzzled look on his face.
“You really have no clue, do you? Oh, Lordy I have some things to tell you, Son,”
“Louise gave birth to a child about two years ago. Not just anybody’s child your child,” Teaspoon said letting it sink in.
“She had my, child? She got pregnant that one time we were together? Did she know before I left?” Buck asked dumbfounded.
“Yes, she had your child and no, she didn’t know before you left,” Teaspoon said somberly.
“You want to know if it was a boy or a girl and what the name of it is,” Buck just nodded not knowing what to say.
“You have a daughter and her full name is Mary “Setting Sun” McCloud. We call her Sunny. She was born as the sun was setting. Lou wanted her to have some sort of Indian heritage so she gave her the special name. She’s a sweetheart I tell you, Buck. Looks just like you. She’s smart as a whip and cute as a button. She calls me Gumpa and Rachel Gamma. Lou, Rachel and me are all the family she knows. The boys didn’t take kindly to Lou being with someone other than Kid. She was going to marry him. Then she found out she was pregnant. Kid had a big blow up at Lou. He left the next day for Virginia. We haven’t heard from him since. Jimmy and Cody don’t understand why Lou would take advantage of your drunken state and have sex with you. They don’t write or come by no more. Son I have some bad news for you. Noah was killed trying to save a woman abolitionist named Rosemary Burke. Jimmy went off with her after the funeral. Like I said they don’t write no more.”
Buck looked at Teaspoon and he looked like he was about to cry. He wanted to cry tears of joy because he had a daughter and cry tears of sorrow for Noah. He wanted to cry for Lou who didn’t have Jimmy or Cody to be in their daughter's life. They chose to leave and not look back because they blamed Lou for what happened. It wasn’t her fault. He let it happen. He could have stopped it from happening, but if he had there would be no Sunny. He had to laugh. Teaspoon said Sunny looked just like him. He wanted to see her so badly. He also wanted to see Lou to hold her and tell her how sorry he is for leaving her.
“Is Sunny home with Lou right now? I have an idea that might get Lou to let me see her and Sunny. I could risk getting shot, but it would be worth it,” Buck joked but was totally serious about seeing Lou and his daughter.
“Lou should be getting Sunny up from her nap. They usually go outside to wait for me to bring Sunny into town. She sure does love gumdrops. She has a sweet tooth that one. If I remember correctly you like gumdrops too. The boys used to tease you about it,” Teaspoon said laughing remembering the ribbing Buck used to get from the boys.
“I’ll be along in a bit. Just in case Louise pulls the shot gun on you. You may need some assistance,” Teaspoon said as he hugged his wayward son.
Chapter Ten
Buck rode Warrior only part way to Lou’s house. He didn’t want to be heard by Lou and be met with a shot gun. Buck walked quietly up to Lou’s front yard. He saw she was taking down the laundry and Sunny was on the grass playing with a wooden horse and rider. ‘Just like her Ma. She’s already interested in riding horses.’ Buck thought to himself smiling.
Sunny looked up and she saw Buck. She got a big grin on her face, got up and ran over to him. He couldn’t believe how beautiful she was. She looked like a little female version of himself. Lou didn’t see Sunny get up and run to Buck until after she took the last sheet down. Lou looked to see where Sunny was and saw Buck holding her. Lou got tears in her eyes. She had dreamt about what she was seeing. Then Sunny said something that floored Buck.
“Mama look iz Daddy.” Sunny looked at her father and gave him a big hug and kiss.
Buck was shocked. He wondered how Sunny knew who he was.
“Don’t be surprised. She is your daughter. She has great observation skills. I show her your picture every night before bed. Well it’s the one of all us taken in front of the stagecoach in Sweetwater. She knows everyone. Well except me she doesn’t believe it’s me in the boy's clothes and short hair. She always says goodnight to you and blows you a kiss. Oh, and one for Ike and Noah too. The rest I could do without their criticism of how this little one came to be. Noah was very supportive of me having your child. Everyone else thought I betrayed Kid. It’s funny you know I think they’d really love her if they came and visited. She really loves people. Teaspoon brings her into town every day and everyone loves her. She’s a real charmer,” Lou told Buck trying not to cry.
“I’m sorry that Jimmy and Cody are acting the way they are. I wish I had known about her. I would have never left. I would have married you and taken care of you and Sunny. Thank you for giving her an Indian name. It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful little girl. I like the name Sunny. It suits her. She’s all sunshine and light,” Buck said to Lou. He wanted to hold her just like he was holding Sunny. He wanted to kiss her and tell her that he loved her.
Just as Buck was finished speaking Sunny found something in his vest pocket and she was trying to dig it out.
“Sunny, Darlin’, what are you doing? Oh, I think you found the secret spot.” Buck laughed “Oh you found one. You want it?”
Lou was watching the interaction between father and daughter. She was amazed at how at ease they seemed with each other in just a few minutes.
“Mama gumpdrop. Can I eat it?” Sunny said waiting for her mother’s permission.
“Sure, sweetheart you can eat it, but chew it good and take little bites. Okay?” Lou said as she smiled at her daughter.
“Okay.” She dug in the bag once more and pulled one out for her father. “Daddy want one?” she said holding out the candy to Buck with a crooked smile.
“Mmmm those are my favorite. I’d love one,” Buck said laughing as he gobbled up the gumdrop as Sunny laughed. He couldn’t get over how smart she was. “Thank you Darlin’.”
Just then they heard a horse coming down the road. Sunny was the first to yell, “GUMPA!”
Teaspoon got off his horse and walked up the trio and gave Louise a kiss on the cheek and went over to Sunny and Buck.
“Gumpa this iz my Daddy. I love him so much. He bringed me gumpdrops,” Sunny said as the three adults were shocked that she said she loved Buck. Louise ran into the house in tears.
Teaspoon took Sunny from Buck as Buck ran into the house after Louise.
“What do you say we go to the general store and get some more gumdrops and some black licorice for your mama? It’s her favorite,” Teaspoon asked Sunny who was looking at the house.
“Mama and Daddy okay?” Sunny asked wondering why they ran into the house.
“Yes, Sweetheart, Mama and Daddy are okay?” Teaspoon said as he silently sent up a prayer that they could become the family they were meant to be. “Let’s go. I think your Gramma has a new dolly for you today,” Teaspoon and Sunny walked to his horse. He put Sunny on top of his saddle. She already knew how to sit in a saddle from her mother and Teaspoon teaching her. Teaspoon swung up into the saddle behind Sunny and they rode off in a slow trot to town. Teaspoon knew that Buck and Lou needed to be alone.
Sunny looked up and she saw Buck. She got a big grin on her face, got up and ran over to him. He couldn’t believe how beautiful she was. She looked like a little female version of himself. Lou didn’t see Sunny get up and run to Buck until after she took the last sheet down. Lou looked to see where Sunny was and saw Buck holding her. Lou got tears in her eyes. She had dreamt about what she was seeing. Then Sunny said something that floored Buck.
“Mama look iz Daddy.” Sunny looked at her father and gave him a big hug and kiss.
Buck was shocked. He wondered how Sunny knew who he was.
“Don’t be surprised. She is your daughter. She has great observation skills. I show her your picture every night before bed. Well it’s the one of all us taken in front of the stagecoach in Sweetwater. She knows everyone. Well except me she doesn’t believe it’s me in the boy's clothes and short hair. She always says goodnight to you and blows you a kiss. Oh, and one for Ike and Noah too. The rest I could do without their criticism of how this little one came to be. Noah was very supportive of me having your child. Everyone else thought I betrayed Kid. It’s funny you know I think they’d really love her if they came and visited. She really loves people. Teaspoon brings her into town every day and everyone loves her. She’s a real charmer,” Lou told Buck trying not to cry.
“I’m sorry that Jimmy and Cody are acting the way they are. I wish I had known about her. I would have never left. I would have married you and taken care of you and Sunny. Thank you for giving her an Indian name. It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful little girl. I like the name Sunny. It suits her. She’s all sunshine and light,” Buck said to Lou. He wanted to hold her just like he was holding Sunny. He wanted to kiss her and tell her that he loved her.
Just as Buck was finished speaking Sunny found something in his vest pocket and she was trying to dig it out.
“Sunny, Darlin’, what are you doing? Oh, I think you found the secret spot.” Buck laughed “Oh you found one. You want it?”
Lou was watching the interaction between father and daughter. She was amazed at how at ease they seemed with each other in just a few minutes.
“Mama gumpdrop. Can I eat it?” Sunny said waiting for her mother’s permission.
“Sure, sweetheart you can eat it, but chew it good and take little bites. Okay?” Lou said as she smiled at her daughter.
“Okay.” She dug in the bag once more and pulled one out for her father. “Daddy want one?” she said holding out the candy to Buck with a crooked smile.
“Mmmm those are my favorite. I’d love one,” Buck said laughing as he gobbled up the gumdrop as Sunny laughed. He couldn’t get over how smart she was. “Thank you Darlin’.”
Just then they heard a horse coming down the road. Sunny was the first to yell, “GUMPA!”
Teaspoon got off his horse and walked up the trio and gave Louise a kiss on the cheek and went over to Sunny and Buck.
“Gumpa this iz my Daddy. I love him so much. He bringed me gumpdrops,” Sunny said as the three adults were shocked that she said she loved Buck. Louise ran into the house in tears.
Teaspoon took Sunny from Buck as Buck ran into the house after Louise.
“What do you say we go to the general store and get some more gumdrops and some black licorice for your mama? It’s her favorite,” Teaspoon asked Sunny who was looking at the house.
“Mama and Daddy okay?” Sunny asked wondering why they ran into the house.
“Yes, Sweetheart, Mama and Daddy are okay?” Teaspoon said as he silently sent up a prayer that they could become the family they were meant to be. “Let’s go. I think your Gramma has a new dolly for you today,” Teaspoon and Sunny walked to his horse. He put Sunny on top of his saddle. She already knew how to sit in a saddle from her mother and Teaspoon teaching her. Teaspoon swung up into the saddle behind Sunny and they rode off in a slow trot to town. Teaspoon knew that Buck and Lou needed to be alone.
Chapter Eleven
Buck called out Lou’s name as he entered the house. He heard a muffled cry from the room off the kitchen. Buck slowly opened the door. He saw Lou lying in a big feather bed. All kinds of naughty thoughts ran through his head. He pushed them away. He had to focus on getting Louise to trust him again. Lou was lying on the bed with the covers pulled over her head as she cried.
“Lou is it alright if I sit down on the bed and talk to you?” There came a muffled yes from under the covers. Buck sat down and pulled the covers back from Lou’s face. He saw her eyes were closed and she had tears all over her face. He touched her face to wipe away the tears and Lou whimpered.
“Lou, I have to tell you why I left. Ike wasn’t the only reason. I felt guilty about getting drunk and sleeping with you. I had dreamt about it for so long. I couldn’t believe it was happening. When you kissed me, I never wanted it to end. I was so drunk I thought I was dreaming again. I love you so much. I always have. I didn’t think you felt the same way about me. I couldn’t take not being able to touch you after that. The feelings I had for you coupled with Ike’s death were too much for me. I started drinking. I left because I didn’t want to hurt anyone anymore. I spent a good amount of my time drunk the first year. I didn’t want to feel anything. I can tell you I never slept with another woman after we had our time together. I couldn’t even think of other women. You were always the only one for me. You are what got me sober. I decided that I was going to get sober for you and maybe someday come back here and see you. I fell off the wagon a couple of times but, I haven’t had a drink in over a year. I got a job working with horses on a ranch way out west of here. I managed to get enough money to buy Warrior back from the guy I stupidly sold him to for money for whiskey. I made sure I was good and sober and decided to see some more of the country. I saw the Grand Canyon and I even saw the Pacific Ocean. That was when I decided to come back and face you and tell you I was sorry for not acknowledging our night together. I’m so glad I came back. I know about Sunny now. Louise I still love you. I know you can't forgive me for leaving but, do you think there's a chance I could be in Sunny's life permanently. I know you don't trust me. I'm just asking for a chance to prove myself and to know our daughter. Please Lou," Buck said to Lou as he caressed her face wiping the tears away.
Louise looked at Buck. She saw the determined look on his face and the love he had for her and their child in his eyes. Her head was telling her no but her heart was telling her yes let him back in your life and let him see your daughter. Lou looked at him some more and her heart won out.
"Okay Buck I'm going to let you come and visit with Sunny and possibly when the time is right let you, stay an afternoon with her. She's not all fun and games. She needs to be put down for a nap which is no picnic and she gets fussy about what she eats. She can run and hide faster than a jack rabbit if you're not paying attention. She has a scream that sounds like a train whistle if she doesn't get her own way, but she seems to like you or in her words 'Love you so much’. So, I think since you said you haven't had a drink in over a year that she won't drive you to drink. I'm going to try and put my trust back in you. I can't say it will happen overnight but if you're anything like the man I knew before Ike died it will be worth the effort. So, I ask you now do you want to stay for supper. My cooking is much better than it was, thanks to Rachel. I have a chicken already roasting and I'm making mashed potatoes and carrots. If I remember correctly you liked chicken, mashed potatoes and carrots. So, tell me now so I can make enough. I see by the way you've filled out you must eat a lot. Well at least more than you did when the express was around. You look good Buck and don't take that the wrong way. I mean that as someone who hasn't seen someone in a long time," Louise said with a stern tone but, she had a smile on her face.
Louise did like the way Buck looked. He was bigger through the shoulders and more muscular from what she could see by the way his shirt fit. He wasn't a boy anymore. He was a man. That got Lou thinking things she shouldn't be thinking about Buck. Especially Buck. She hadn't thought of him in that way since she couldn't remember how long. It was a dangerous thing to think this way about him. 'Look what happened the last time. I got pregnant, but I got Sunny because of that. I'll just have to be careful and feel things out with Buck. If things turn romantic, I'll just let them happen. Sunny needs a father in her life who better than her actual father. Don't get ahead of yourself, Louise.' Louise thought to herself.
"I'd love to stay for supper and I'd love to spend time with both of you. I didn't even know about Sunny this morning and now I can't think of my life without her." Buck said as he looked at Louise. She had filled out nicely. She wasn't a scrawny short haired girl pretending to be a boy anymore. She was a mother. She had given birth and nursed Sunny. She was beautiful. She was a woman not a young girl anymore. Buck couldn't help but stare at her beauty.
"Buck, hello, STOP STARING AT ME! You're making me feel like a piece of meat," Louise said in exasperation. "Now let me get up and make supper. You can look around the house if you want. Sunny's room is on the other side of mine. That door to the right. Yup that's it, go on in and see your daughter's room. You'll be surprised."
Buck walked into Sunny's room to see a mural of the express riders on their horses galloping across the prairie. Everyone was there including Teaspoon and Rachel. Buck was surprised to see himself riding next to Lou in the painting. Buck turned to look at Sunny's bed. It was miniature in size and had a beautiful Indian blanket on it. He looked up to see and elaborate dream catcher hanging from the ceiling right over where Sunny's head would be. There were native drums on top of a dresser and the message left for Buck at a station near Sweetwater by Red Bear summoning Buck to come see his brother was on the wall. Buck was nearly brought to tears when he saw that Lou saved it and had it in their daughter's room. Along one wall there was a toy box and a bookcase with about twenty books. Buck looked at the titles and noticed that most of them were in Lou's hand writing and were about Indian legends. Buck wondered how Lou got all the stories to write down for Sunny. There were also Fairy Tales about princes, princesses, dragons and evil queens. Over the toy box was the picture of the express riders, Rachel and Teaspoon there were little finger prints on the part of the picture where Buck, Ike, Noah, Rachel and Teaspoon were situated in the photo. Buck opened a dresser drawer and looked at all the handmade dresses and bonnets that Sunny had. He closed that draw and opened the next one and was very surprised to see a little set of buckskins with beautiful bead work. There was also a pair of moccasins that were also elaborately beaded. Buck was so stunned that this much of his Indian heritage was passed on to his daughter. He sat down on the floor and cried. A few minutes later Lou came to the door and saw Buck with his head down and his shoulders shaking. Lou was beside him instantly.
"Buck what is it? Is finding out about Sunny too much that you want to leave? Please don't leave. Sunny has just found you. Don't leave her. Don't leave us again," Louise was almost in tears.
Buck looked up to see tears in Louise's eyes and shook his head. They put their arms around each other and held one another for the first time in three years. When Buck finally got his voice back, he spoke to Louise about the room.
"Louise, thank you for putting so much of my Indian heritage in Sunny's life, the hand written books with the Indian legends, the dream catcher over her bed, the little pair of buckskins, the moccasins and the tribal drums especially the message from Red Bear. Then there's the picture with the little finger prints on it where Ike, Noah and me are in the photograph. I don't deserve this but you made sure she knows who her people are and who I am. Thank you so much Lou. If I die tomorrow, I'll die a happy man," Buck said as he held Louise in his arms. He leaned into give Lou a kiss and touched his lips to hers. For a moment she let Buck kiss her then she realized what she was doing and pulled away.
"Buck we can't do this. Sunny will be home any minute. I don't want to her to find us like this. I have to learn to trust you again. We need to go slow. I'm not ruling it out altogether but I need time," Louise said as she got up and smoothed her skirts. "Supper's almost ready go get cleaned up in the mudroom. It's on the other side of the porch. You can wait for Teaspoon to bring Sunny home."
Buck got up and went out to the mudroom. He cleaned himself up and went down the road to get Warrior. When he came back, he put Warrior in the small barn Louise had and sat down on the grass to wait for Sunny and Teaspoon.
“Lou is it alright if I sit down on the bed and talk to you?” There came a muffled yes from under the covers. Buck sat down and pulled the covers back from Lou’s face. He saw her eyes were closed and she had tears all over her face. He touched her face to wipe away the tears and Lou whimpered.
“Lou, I have to tell you why I left. Ike wasn’t the only reason. I felt guilty about getting drunk and sleeping with you. I had dreamt about it for so long. I couldn’t believe it was happening. When you kissed me, I never wanted it to end. I was so drunk I thought I was dreaming again. I love you so much. I always have. I didn’t think you felt the same way about me. I couldn’t take not being able to touch you after that. The feelings I had for you coupled with Ike’s death were too much for me. I started drinking. I left because I didn’t want to hurt anyone anymore. I spent a good amount of my time drunk the first year. I didn’t want to feel anything. I can tell you I never slept with another woman after we had our time together. I couldn’t even think of other women. You were always the only one for me. You are what got me sober. I decided that I was going to get sober for you and maybe someday come back here and see you. I fell off the wagon a couple of times but, I haven’t had a drink in over a year. I got a job working with horses on a ranch way out west of here. I managed to get enough money to buy Warrior back from the guy I stupidly sold him to for money for whiskey. I made sure I was good and sober and decided to see some more of the country. I saw the Grand Canyon and I even saw the Pacific Ocean. That was when I decided to come back and face you and tell you I was sorry for not acknowledging our night together. I’m so glad I came back. I know about Sunny now. Louise I still love you. I know you can't forgive me for leaving but, do you think there's a chance I could be in Sunny's life permanently. I know you don't trust me. I'm just asking for a chance to prove myself and to know our daughter. Please Lou," Buck said to Lou as he caressed her face wiping the tears away.
Louise looked at Buck. She saw the determined look on his face and the love he had for her and their child in his eyes. Her head was telling her no but her heart was telling her yes let him back in your life and let him see your daughter. Lou looked at him some more and her heart won out.
"Okay Buck I'm going to let you come and visit with Sunny and possibly when the time is right let you, stay an afternoon with her. She's not all fun and games. She needs to be put down for a nap which is no picnic and she gets fussy about what she eats. She can run and hide faster than a jack rabbit if you're not paying attention. She has a scream that sounds like a train whistle if she doesn't get her own way, but she seems to like you or in her words 'Love you so much’. So, I think since you said you haven't had a drink in over a year that she won't drive you to drink. I'm going to try and put my trust back in you. I can't say it will happen overnight but if you're anything like the man I knew before Ike died it will be worth the effort. So, I ask you now do you want to stay for supper. My cooking is much better than it was, thanks to Rachel. I have a chicken already roasting and I'm making mashed potatoes and carrots. If I remember correctly you liked chicken, mashed potatoes and carrots. So, tell me now so I can make enough. I see by the way you've filled out you must eat a lot. Well at least more than you did when the express was around. You look good Buck and don't take that the wrong way. I mean that as someone who hasn't seen someone in a long time," Louise said with a stern tone but, she had a smile on her face.
Louise did like the way Buck looked. He was bigger through the shoulders and more muscular from what she could see by the way his shirt fit. He wasn't a boy anymore. He was a man. That got Lou thinking things she shouldn't be thinking about Buck. Especially Buck. She hadn't thought of him in that way since she couldn't remember how long. It was a dangerous thing to think this way about him. 'Look what happened the last time. I got pregnant, but I got Sunny because of that. I'll just have to be careful and feel things out with Buck. If things turn romantic, I'll just let them happen. Sunny needs a father in her life who better than her actual father. Don't get ahead of yourself, Louise.' Louise thought to herself.
"I'd love to stay for supper and I'd love to spend time with both of you. I didn't even know about Sunny this morning and now I can't think of my life without her." Buck said as he looked at Louise. She had filled out nicely. She wasn't a scrawny short haired girl pretending to be a boy anymore. She was a mother. She had given birth and nursed Sunny. She was beautiful. She was a woman not a young girl anymore. Buck couldn't help but stare at her beauty.
"Buck, hello, STOP STARING AT ME! You're making me feel like a piece of meat," Louise said in exasperation. "Now let me get up and make supper. You can look around the house if you want. Sunny's room is on the other side of mine. That door to the right. Yup that's it, go on in and see your daughter's room. You'll be surprised."
Buck walked into Sunny's room to see a mural of the express riders on their horses galloping across the prairie. Everyone was there including Teaspoon and Rachel. Buck was surprised to see himself riding next to Lou in the painting. Buck turned to look at Sunny's bed. It was miniature in size and had a beautiful Indian blanket on it. He looked up to see and elaborate dream catcher hanging from the ceiling right over where Sunny's head would be. There were native drums on top of a dresser and the message left for Buck at a station near Sweetwater by Red Bear summoning Buck to come see his brother was on the wall. Buck was nearly brought to tears when he saw that Lou saved it and had it in their daughter's room. Along one wall there was a toy box and a bookcase with about twenty books. Buck looked at the titles and noticed that most of them were in Lou's hand writing and were about Indian legends. Buck wondered how Lou got all the stories to write down for Sunny. There were also Fairy Tales about princes, princesses, dragons and evil queens. Over the toy box was the picture of the express riders, Rachel and Teaspoon there were little finger prints on the part of the picture where Buck, Ike, Noah, Rachel and Teaspoon were situated in the photo. Buck opened a dresser drawer and looked at all the handmade dresses and bonnets that Sunny had. He closed that draw and opened the next one and was very surprised to see a little set of buckskins with beautiful bead work. There was also a pair of moccasins that were also elaborately beaded. Buck was so stunned that this much of his Indian heritage was passed on to his daughter. He sat down on the floor and cried. A few minutes later Lou came to the door and saw Buck with his head down and his shoulders shaking. Lou was beside him instantly.
"Buck what is it? Is finding out about Sunny too much that you want to leave? Please don't leave. Sunny has just found you. Don't leave her. Don't leave us again," Louise was almost in tears.
Buck looked up to see tears in Louise's eyes and shook his head. They put their arms around each other and held one another for the first time in three years. When Buck finally got his voice back, he spoke to Louise about the room.
"Louise, thank you for putting so much of my Indian heritage in Sunny's life, the hand written books with the Indian legends, the dream catcher over her bed, the little pair of buckskins, the moccasins and the tribal drums especially the message from Red Bear. Then there's the picture with the little finger prints on it where Ike, Noah and me are in the photograph. I don't deserve this but you made sure she knows who her people are and who I am. Thank you so much Lou. If I die tomorrow, I'll die a happy man," Buck said as he held Louise in his arms. He leaned into give Lou a kiss and touched his lips to hers. For a moment she let Buck kiss her then she realized what she was doing and pulled away.
"Buck we can't do this. Sunny will be home any minute. I don't want to her to find us like this. I have to learn to trust you again. We need to go slow. I'm not ruling it out altogether but I need time," Louise said as she got up and smoothed her skirts. "Supper's almost ready go get cleaned up in the mudroom. It's on the other side of the porch. You can wait for Teaspoon to bring Sunny home."
Buck got up and went out to the mudroom. He cleaned himself up and went down the road to get Warrior. When he came back, he put Warrior in the small barn Louise had and sat down on the grass to wait for Sunny and Teaspoon.
Chapter Twelve
About ten minutes later Teaspoon came up the road with Sunny sitting in front of him in the saddle carrying a new rag doll. Buck got up to greet them. He saw Sunny get a big smile on her face when she saw him. Teaspoon pulled up on the reins as Buck walked over to them. Sunny practically jumped into her father's arms. She gave him a big kiss and hug. Buck gave her a kiss and hug back.
"Hello Darlin' and hello to you, Teaspoon." Teaspoon smiled at the sight. He was so happy Buck was back he could have done a little jig right there. "What have you got there, Angel?" Buck asked his new found daughter.
"Iz my new Daddy Dolly. Gamma made hwim for me. The other one goth dirthy too much. He look jut like you, Daddy," Sunny said as Buck looked at the doll.
Buck saw that the doll had long black yarn hair, a colorful button, down shirt, a pair of buckskin pants, a medicine pouch, an earring and a black vest. It even had his knee, high black boots. Buck looked up at Teaspoon with a questioning look.
"Sunny wanted a daddy dolly and Rachel made it for her second birthday. She dragged that doll everywhere until it almost fell apart. Rachel told her she would make a new one for her a couple of weeks ago. We went and picked it up at the house right before we came here," Teaspoon said amused at the look on his boys face. "Rachel wants you to stay at the house with us until you get, better accommodations that is." Teaspoon winked at Buck.
"Are you and Rachel living in sin or did you two tie the knot. I'm sure I'll be with the two of you longer than you think if Lou has anything to do with it. She said we're going to take things really slow. She also said she not ruling out 'us' altogether. I love her, Teaspoon. I haven't been with another woman since Lou and I were together that one time and we got a little ray of sunshine from our time together. I just wish I had never left. I would have been in this little one’s life from the beginning," Buck said silently berating himself for leaving.
"Yes, Rachel and I have been married for almost two years now. I think things will happen between you and Lou faster than you or she thinks. She held out hope for a long time that you would come back. She said she loved you very often when she was carrying Sunny. Rachel told me when she gave birth, she yelled that she needed and loved you. Then she yelled 'why aren't you here'. She also yelled that she would shoot you between the legs and you'd never be able to father a child again. That was before the 'I love you' part. I suppose the, I love you part is still in Louise's heart. You just have to find a way to it," Teaspoon said with a smile.
Buck cringed at what Lou said she'd do to him, but then, I love you and need you part were a surprise to him. Sunny started to squirm in his arms. Buck had almost forgotten that he was holding her. Sunny finally took hold of Buck's nose and giggled.
Teaspoon saw trouble brewing and said his good byes mounting his horse and galloping down the road away from what he knew was a painful experience. Sunny did it to him last week.
"Sunny, Darlin', that's Daddy's nose. Be careful with it. It's the only one I got." Buck said sounding like a duck. Sunny squeezed harder. "Aaahhhh! Owww! Sunny please stop.
You're hurting Daddy. LOUISE! Ow! LOUISE!" Buck yelled sounding like a kazoo. Sunny was in a fit of giggles.
"What's the matter Buck? I'm trying to finish cooking supper," Louise said as she made her way outside. She stopped when she saw the sight of Sunny's hand clamped onto Buck's nose and started laughing. She couldn't stop laughing.
"Louise a little help here," Buck said annoyed that Louise would find what was very painful amusing.
Finally, Louise got her composure and walked up to them. She couldn't help but poke fun at Buck.
"Sunny what are you doing to Daddy? He doesn't seem to like it. Do you Buck?" Only after a look of absolute pain went across Buck's face did Louise take Sunny's hand and pry it off Buck's nose.
"Louise that was a dirty trick you know how sensitive my nose is. I won't be able to smell anything for a week," Buck whined as he felt his nose to make sure it was all there.
"Now Sunny I want you to tell Daddy sorry and give him a kiss," Louise said in a mock stern voice. Sunny gave him a kiss.
"Sowrry Daddy. I jut reawly like you nose," Sunny said as she hugged her daddy.
"It's okay Sunny just don't do it again. You really like my nose?" Buck replied to his sweet angel.
"Yup I like Gumpa's nose too they both bwig and squishy. You swound like a ducky too," Sunny told Buck who laughed a real hearty laugh that made Louise's knees go weak and made her stomach do flip flops.
"Okay you two it's almost supper time. You little miss have to wash your hands and face," Louise said as she got the flip flops in her stomach Buck's laugh had caused to subside.
"I'll bring her to the mud room and wash her up if you want Lou," Buck offered.
"Okay but be careful she doesn't get you too wet. She likes to play in the water. Supper's in five minutes," Lou said cautioning Buck. She would have to see if he listened to her.
About ten minutes later a soaking wet Buck and a dripping Sunny came to the door. "Ah Lou I think you need to put some dry clothes on Sunny. We ah got a little carried away in the mud room." Buck said as Louise looked up to see the puddles forming under their daughter and the man that gave her the best gift she ever had in her life.
"Hello Darlin' and hello to you, Teaspoon." Teaspoon smiled at the sight. He was so happy Buck was back he could have done a little jig right there. "What have you got there, Angel?" Buck asked his new found daughter.
"Iz my new Daddy Dolly. Gamma made hwim for me. The other one goth dirthy too much. He look jut like you, Daddy," Sunny said as Buck looked at the doll.
Buck saw that the doll had long black yarn hair, a colorful button, down shirt, a pair of buckskin pants, a medicine pouch, an earring and a black vest. It even had his knee, high black boots. Buck looked up at Teaspoon with a questioning look.
"Sunny wanted a daddy dolly and Rachel made it for her second birthday. She dragged that doll everywhere until it almost fell apart. Rachel told her she would make a new one for her a couple of weeks ago. We went and picked it up at the house right before we came here," Teaspoon said amused at the look on his boys face. "Rachel wants you to stay at the house with us until you get, better accommodations that is." Teaspoon winked at Buck.
"Are you and Rachel living in sin or did you two tie the knot. I'm sure I'll be with the two of you longer than you think if Lou has anything to do with it. She said we're going to take things really slow. She also said she not ruling out 'us' altogether. I love her, Teaspoon. I haven't been with another woman since Lou and I were together that one time and we got a little ray of sunshine from our time together. I just wish I had never left. I would have been in this little one’s life from the beginning," Buck said silently berating himself for leaving.
"Yes, Rachel and I have been married for almost two years now. I think things will happen between you and Lou faster than you or she thinks. She held out hope for a long time that you would come back. She said she loved you very often when she was carrying Sunny. Rachel told me when she gave birth, she yelled that she needed and loved you. Then she yelled 'why aren't you here'. She also yelled that she would shoot you between the legs and you'd never be able to father a child again. That was before the 'I love you' part. I suppose the, I love you part is still in Louise's heart. You just have to find a way to it," Teaspoon said with a smile.
Buck cringed at what Lou said she'd do to him, but then, I love you and need you part were a surprise to him. Sunny started to squirm in his arms. Buck had almost forgotten that he was holding her. Sunny finally took hold of Buck's nose and giggled.
Teaspoon saw trouble brewing and said his good byes mounting his horse and galloping down the road away from what he knew was a painful experience. Sunny did it to him last week.
"Sunny, Darlin', that's Daddy's nose. Be careful with it. It's the only one I got." Buck said sounding like a duck. Sunny squeezed harder. "Aaahhhh! Owww! Sunny please stop.
You're hurting Daddy. LOUISE! Ow! LOUISE!" Buck yelled sounding like a kazoo. Sunny was in a fit of giggles.
"What's the matter Buck? I'm trying to finish cooking supper," Louise said as she made her way outside. She stopped when she saw the sight of Sunny's hand clamped onto Buck's nose and started laughing. She couldn't stop laughing.
"Louise a little help here," Buck said annoyed that Louise would find what was very painful amusing.
Finally, Louise got her composure and walked up to them. She couldn't help but poke fun at Buck.
"Sunny what are you doing to Daddy? He doesn't seem to like it. Do you Buck?" Only after a look of absolute pain went across Buck's face did Louise take Sunny's hand and pry it off Buck's nose.
"Louise that was a dirty trick you know how sensitive my nose is. I won't be able to smell anything for a week," Buck whined as he felt his nose to make sure it was all there.
"Now Sunny I want you to tell Daddy sorry and give him a kiss," Louise said in a mock stern voice. Sunny gave him a kiss.
"Sowrry Daddy. I jut reawly like you nose," Sunny said as she hugged her daddy.
"It's okay Sunny just don't do it again. You really like my nose?" Buck replied to his sweet angel.
"Yup I like Gumpa's nose too they both bwig and squishy. You swound like a ducky too," Sunny told Buck who laughed a real hearty laugh that made Louise's knees go weak and made her stomach do flip flops.
"Okay you two it's almost supper time. You little miss have to wash your hands and face," Louise said as she got the flip flops in her stomach Buck's laugh had caused to subside.
"I'll bring her to the mud room and wash her up if you want Lou," Buck offered.
"Okay but be careful she doesn't get you too wet. She likes to play in the water. Supper's in five minutes," Lou said cautioning Buck. She would have to see if he listened to her.
About ten minutes later a soaking wet Buck and a dripping Sunny came to the door. "Ah Lou I think you need to put some dry clothes on Sunny. We ah got a little carried away in the mud room." Buck said as Louise looked up to see the puddles forming under their daughter and the man that gave her the best gift she ever had in her life.
Chapter Thirteen
"Oh my! What did you do take a bath with your clothes on? Come on Sunny we'll go get you changed. As for you, Buck there's a clean quilt in the closet over in my bedroom you may have to strip down completely it looks like you're soaked to the skin. I'll hang your clothes out to dry after I change your daughter," Louise said trying to keep the laughter out of her voice.
Buck changed out of his clothes and wrapped the quilt around him at the waist. He wouldn't be able to eat if he had it up around his shoulders. He would need his hands to hold it around himself. Buck took his clothing out to the clothes line and hung them up. Just as Louise walked to the door the quilt covering Buck fell to the ground, he quickly snatched it up and put it back up around his waist, but not before Lou got an eyeful of Buck's naked physique. She quickly stepped away from the door and began putting the food on the table. Buck came in bare foot and only covered by the quilt not knowing Lou had seen him. Louise was beet red. She had that old familiar feeling she had when she and Buck were together that one time. She didn't know if she could behave herself. Buck looked so cute with the quilt wrapped around him and his hair all wet. She was feeling things she hadn't felt in three years and they felt good.
Louise had put Sunny in her high chair and had her food on the table cooling. Buck sat next to Sunny. Louise put the carved chicken on the table with the potatoes and carrots. She saw that Buck was next to Sunny. He was in danger of becoming covered in food.
"Buck, I don't think you want to sit too close to our ray of sunshine. She tends to throw food and make a mess. You might want to move over," Louise said cautiously.
"Lou I'm in my birthday suit and wrapped in a quilt I don't think I have anything left to get dirty. I can always clean off afterward. It's no bother," Buck said thinking a little mess won't hurt.
"Okay Buck, but there's a reason I wear my hair in a braid. She can get pretty creative," Louise said warning Buck once again.
Buck and Lou helped themselves to the food. Lou put some chicken in front of Sunny and a small amount of potatoes and carrots. Sunny had a small tin cup half way filled up with milk. Sunny insisted since she was about ten months old to feed herself. That's when Lou started wearing her hair in a braid after too many instances of food in her hair.
Buck took a bite of the meal and said, "This is delicious, Lou. Your cooking sure has improved," As Buck was eating, he didn't see Sunny reach out with mashed potatoes in her hand for his hair. Sunny grabbed Buck's hair and covered the whole left side of it with mashed potatoes. Buck jumped when he felt the mashed potatoes fall on to his shoulder.
"Sunny, no, Mama told you not to do that anymore. Do you want to go to your room?" Lou said sternly.
Just as Lou got up to get a wet cloth for Buck Sunny threw her carrots at Buck hitting him squarely in the chest and face and tossed her milk all over her father getting him soaking wet. He was covered in food. Sunny was giggling and clapping as Lou turned around and looked at Buck. She had to stifle a laugh.
"Sunny, no fresh girl you don't do that to Daddy!" Lou said with her voice raised.
"Buck are you alright? Do you want to take a bath? There's a tub in the mudroom. I'm so sorry. She's normally very well behaved with people. She's just excited. This is all new to her."
"No, it's okay. I'm fine. She's little and didn't know what would happen if she threw her milk at me along with her carrots and washing my hair in mashed potatoes," Buck couldn't help himself. He started to laugh and couldn't stop. Lou in turn started to laugh as she took Sunny to her room to go to bed. Sunny was in a fit of giggles as her mother carried her away.
"Bye Daddy. I love you," Sunny said as she blew him a kiss.
"I love you too Darlin'. I'll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams," Buck said as he blew Sunny a kiss back.
As Lou was putting Sunny to bed, she thought of how well Buck took what Sunny had done to him twice. Once with the water and once with the food not to mention his nose. She was impressed at Buck's calm manner and his willingness to laugh at the situation over getting mad.
Lou tucked Sunny into bed and was saying her prayers with her when Sunny asked her, "Mama, I wreally see Daddy tomorrow? He not go away? He goined to stay?"
Lou saw that Sunny was really concerned about this. "Yes, Sweet pea you will see Daddy tomorrow. Now it's time to say goodnight to Uncle Ike and Uncle Noah.
"Night Uncwle Ike. I love you. Night Uncwle Noah I love you too," Sunny said as she blew kisses to the sky. "Good night Mama. I love you. I sworry about Daddy. Will he be awright?"
"Yes angel. He just needs a bath and he'll be good as new. Now go to sleep. I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight, Lovebug," Lou said as she turned down the lamp and closed the door to Sunny's room.
Lou found Buck sitting in the same kitchen chair he was in when she left the room. The table was cleared and two pots of water were on to boil on the stove. Buck had wiped as much food off him as he could, but he couldn't get it all off. Buck just smiled at her as she walked in the room.
"Did she go down easy? I hope she's not upset. She didn't do anything any other two, year old wouldn’t have done," Buck said hoping the incident didn't make Sunny cry.
"She's fine. She went down easy. I think today was a tiring day for her. She did ask if she'd see you tomorrow and I told her yes. She also asked if you were going to stay and not go away. I didn't know what to say to that. She really loves you Buck. I guess showing her your picture every night along with Ike and Noah's made you real in her mind. She couldn't be happier that your here. Do you think you'll stay for a while?" Lou replied hoping Buck would stay for a long time.
"I was thinking of staying forever if you want me to, but if you want me to leave tonight for good, I'll understand. I want to be in Sunny and your lives, Lou. I want to be a part of raising Sunny. I want to be a family in every sense of the word. I want to do what I should have done over three years ago. I want to marry you, Louise. If it takes months or years, I want to be with you forever. I love both of you more than you'll ever know." Buck said with tears in his eyes. "Looks like the waters ready. I'll bring it into the mudroom," Buck said trying to lighten the mood.
Buck went to the stove and was about to pick up the pot with a potholder. When Lou came up to him and did something, she never thought she would ever do. She reached up to Buck's face and pulled him down for a passionate kiss. Buck was shocked, but he returned the kiss with as much love and passion he had inside him. Buck caressed Lou's cheek as Lou had her hand on Buck's chest. When they broke apart, they were breathless.
"You need a bath Mister. I'll carry one pot and you can carry the other," Lou said in a shaky voice as she took a rag and picked up the smaller pot and brought it into the mudroom. Buck followed with the other pot trying not to lose the quilt around him.
Lou poured the steaming water into the tub. Buck then poured in the bigger pot of hot water. Lou pumped water into a wooden pail and added the cold water to the hot water. Buck felt it with his fingers and it felt perfect. Buck was about to take off the quilt when he remembered that Lou was standing right there.
"Ah, Lou could you either turn around or if you want to leave, I can get into the tub?" Buck said a little embarrassed.
"Buck, we have a child together it's not anything I haven't seen or for that matter felt before." Lou said with a big grin on her face. Buck looked at her like she was crazy. "Okay I'll turn around. The waters getting cold Buck." Lou turned around and Buck dropped the quilt and stepped into the water. Little did he know that Lou could see him in the mirror hanging on the wall that Lou, was facing. She put her hand over her mouth.
'My, he has filled out since the last time I saw him. That peek today was nothing compared to the view I just got.’ Lou thought to herself.
"You can turn around now. Do you have any soap? I really need it." Buck stated.
Louise turned around to find Buck sitting in the tub with his hands covering his private area as he looked around the room avoiding Lou's gaze. Lou picked up a bar of lilac soap and handed it to Buck.
"Sorry it's the only kind I have. It's lilac. It smells nice." Lou said as she sat on a chair she sat on when she bathed Sunny. She made sure it was right next to Buck and she was able to see all his wares. Louise was feeling very wanton with Buck naked and in her tub.
“Thanks. That's alright. As long as I smell clean and the mashed potatoes gets out of my hair," Buck said blushing as he had to put his hand up to take the soap leaving him half exposed.
“Do you need me to wash your hair? I know how hard it is to wash long hair in the tub. It was much easier at the express when we had the shower,” Lou said reaching for the soap.
Lou bumped the soap out of Buck’s hand and it fell in the water. They both went in fishing for it. Lou couldn’t help but giggle. Buck stopped Lou’s hands by taking them in his own. He thought he knew what she was up to.
“Louise, why do I get the feeling your trying to seduce me into a compromising situation?” Buck said still holding onto her hands and not letting go until he got an answer.
“To be honest I want to be with you. I’ve wanted to be with you again since the first night we were together. I thought if maybe I got you in a compromising situation you would want me back and we would make love. I love you Buck. I think I always have on some level. You’re the father of my child. How could I not love you? You gave me the most precious gift I’ve ever received. I will always love you even if you don’t want me,” Louise said trying not to cry.
“Lou haven’t you been listening to me. I said I love you and want to marry you. Not only because of Sunny, but because I want to be with you. I want to be there for you when you need me. I want to raise Sunny with you. I haven’t been with another woman since we were together. I only ever wanted you," Buck said as he kissed Louise tenderly.
“Now are you going to wash my hair so I can get clean and we can go to bed?” Buck said arching his eyebrow and smiling his crooked smile.
Louise giggled and pushed up her sleeves and started washing Buck’s hair.
Once Buck was through with his bath Lou gave him a very small towel. Buck gave her a look that said 'you are in so much trouble.’ They made their way to Lou’s bedroom where Louise checked on Sunny. She was sound asleep. Buck gave her a questioning look.
“Oh, don’t worry unlike her Daddy she can sleep through a thunderstorm right over the house. She’s even slept through fireworks on the Fourth of July last year. She likes to sleep late too. She won’t be up until about seven o’clock. So, we have awhile," Lou said as she took a comb from her dresser and started to comb Buck’s hair.
Buck took Lou in his arms and began unbuttoning her dress from the back as they kissed with a ferocity neither of them knew they possessed. Finally, they lay down on the bed still kissing. They made love late into the night. They fell asleep at four o’clock in the morning holding each other. They slept in each other’s arms with Buck’s chest to Lou’s back and his arm under Lou’s head. His other arm was draped over Lou’s side holding one of her hands. They slept the sleep of contented lovers.
Buck changed out of his clothes and wrapped the quilt around him at the waist. He wouldn't be able to eat if he had it up around his shoulders. He would need his hands to hold it around himself. Buck took his clothing out to the clothes line and hung them up. Just as Louise walked to the door the quilt covering Buck fell to the ground, he quickly snatched it up and put it back up around his waist, but not before Lou got an eyeful of Buck's naked physique. She quickly stepped away from the door and began putting the food on the table. Buck came in bare foot and only covered by the quilt not knowing Lou had seen him. Louise was beet red. She had that old familiar feeling she had when she and Buck were together that one time. She didn't know if she could behave herself. Buck looked so cute with the quilt wrapped around him and his hair all wet. She was feeling things she hadn't felt in three years and they felt good.
Louise had put Sunny in her high chair and had her food on the table cooling. Buck sat next to Sunny. Louise put the carved chicken on the table with the potatoes and carrots. She saw that Buck was next to Sunny. He was in danger of becoming covered in food.
"Buck, I don't think you want to sit too close to our ray of sunshine. She tends to throw food and make a mess. You might want to move over," Louise said cautiously.
"Lou I'm in my birthday suit and wrapped in a quilt I don't think I have anything left to get dirty. I can always clean off afterward. It's no bother," Buck said thinking a little mess won't hurt.
"Okay Buck, but there's a reason I wear my hair in a braid. She can get pretty creative," Louise said warning Buck once again.
Buck and Lou helped themselves to the food. Lou put some chicken in front of Sunny and a small amount of potatoes and carrots. Sunny had a small tin cup half way filled up with milk. Sunny insisted since she was about ten months old to feed herself. That's when Lou started wearing her hair in a braid after too many instances of food in her hair.
Buck took a bite of the meal and said, "This is delicious, Lou. Your cooking sure has improved," As Buck was eating, he didn't see Sunny reach out with mashed potatoes in her hand for his hair. Sunny grabbed Buck's hair and covered the whole left side of it with mashed potatoes. Buck jumped when he felt the mashed potatoes fall on to his shoulder.
"Sunny, no, Mama told you not to do that anymore. Do you want to go to your room?" Lou said sternly.
Just as Lou got up to get a wet cloth for Buck Sunny threw her carrots at Buck hitting him squarely in the chest and face and tossed her milk all over her father getting him soaking wet. He was covered in food. Sunny was giggling and clapping as Lou turned around and looked at Buck. She had to stifle a laugh.
"Sunny, no fresh girl you don't do that to Daddy!" Lou said with her voice raised.
"Buck are you alright? Do you want to take a bath? There's a tub in the mudroom. I'm so sorry. She's normally very well behaved with people. She's just excited. This is all new to her."
"No, it's okay. I'm fine. She's little and didn't know what would happen if she threw her milk at me along with her carrots and washing my hair in mashed potatoes," Buck couldn't help himself. He started to laugh and couldn't stop. Lou in turn started to laugh as she took Sunny to her room to go to bed. Sunny was in a fit of giggles as her mother carried her away.
"Bye Daddy. I love you," Sunny said as she blew him a kiss.
"I love you too Darlin'. I'll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams," Buck said as he blew Sunny a kiss back.
As Lou was putting Sunny to bed, she thought of how well Buck took what Sunny had done to him twice. Once with the water and once with the food not to mention his nose. She was impressed at Buck's calm manner and his willingness to laugh at the situation over getting mad.
Lou tucked Sunny into bed and was saying her prayers with her when Sunny asked her, "Mama, I wreally see Daddy tomorrow? He not go away? He goined to stay?"
Lou saw that Sunny was really concerned about this. "Yes, Sweet pea you will see Daddy tomorrow. Now it's time to say goodnight to Uncle Ike and Uncle Noah.
"Night Uncwle Ike. I love you. Night Uncwle Noah I love you too," Sunny said as she blew kisses to the sky. "Good night Mama. I love you. I sworry about Daddy. Will he be awright?"
"Yes angel. He just needs a bath and he'll be good as new. Now go to sleep. I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight, Lovebug," Lou said as she turned down the lamp and closed the door to Sunny's room.
Lou found Buck sitting in the same kitchen chair he was in when she left the room. The table was cleared and two pots of water were on to boil on the stove. Buck had wiped as much food off him as he could, but he couldn't get it all off. Buck just smiled at her as she walked in the room.
"Did she go down easy? I hope she's not upset. She didn't do anything any other two, year old wouldn’t have done," Buck said hoping the incident didn't make Sunny cry.
"She's fine. She went down easy. I think today was a tiring day for her. She did ask if she'd see you tomorrow and I told her yes. She also asked if you were going to stay and not go away. I didn't know what to say to that. She really loves you Buck. I guess showing her your picture every night along with Ike and Noah's made you real in her mind. She couldn't be happier that your here. Do you think you'll stay for a while?" Lou replied hoping Buck would stay for a long time.
"I was thinking of staying forever if you want me to, but if you want me to leave tonight for good, I'll understand. I want to be in Sunny and your lives, Lou. I want to be a part of raising Sunny. I want to be a family in every sense of the word. I want to do what I should have done over three years ago. I want to marry you, Louise. If it takes months or years, I want to be with you forever. I love both of you more than you'll ever know." Buck said with tears in his eyes. "Looks like the waters ready. I'll bring it into the mudroom," Buck said trying to lighten the mood.
Buck went to the stove and was about to pick up the pot with a potholder. When Lou came up to him and did something, she never thought she would ever do. She reached up to Buck's face and pulled him down for a passionate kiss. Buck was shocked, but he returned the kiss with as much love and passion he had inside him. Buck caressed Lou's cheek as Lou had her hand on Buck's chest. When they broke apart, they were breathless.
"You need a bath Mister. I'll carry one pot and you can carry the other," Lou said in a shaky voice as she took a rag and picked up the smaller pot and brought it into the mudroom. Buck followed with the other pot trying not to lose the quilt around him.
Lou poured the steaming water into the tub. Buck then poured in the bigger pot of hot water. Lou pumped water into a wooden pail and added the cold water to the hot water. Buck felt it with his fingers and it felt perfect. Buck was about to take off the quilt when he remembered that Lou was standing right there.
"Ah, Lou could you either turn around or if you want to leave, I can get into the tub?" Buck said a little embarrassed.
"Buck, we have a child together it's not anything I haven't seen or for that matter felt before." Lou said with a big grin on her face. Buck looked at her like she was crazy. "Okay I'll turn around. The waters getting cold Buck." Lou turned around and Buck dropped the quilt and stepped into the water. Little did he know that Lou could see him in the mirror hanging on the wall that Lou, was facing. She put her hand over her mouth.
'My, he has filled out since the last time I saw him. That peek today was nothing compared to the view I just got.’ Lou thought to herself.
"You can turn around now. Do you have any soap? I really need it." Buck stated.
Louise turned around to find Buck sitting in the tub with his hands covering his private area as he looked around the room avoiding Lou's gaze. Lou picked up a bar of lilac soap and handed it to Buck.
"Sorry it's the only kind I have. It's lilac. It smells nice." Lou said as she sat on a chair she sat on when she bathed Sunny. She made sure it was right next to Buck and she was able to see all his wares. Louise was feeling very wanton with Buck naked and in her tub.
“Thanks. That's alright. As long as I smell clean and the mashed potatoes gets out of my hair," Buck said blushing as he had to put his hand up to take the soap leaving him half exposed.
“Do you need me to wash your hair? I know how hard it is to wash long hair in the tub. It was much easier at the express when we had the shower,” Lou said reaching for the soap.
Lou bumped the soap out of Buck’s hand and it fell in the water. They both went in fishing for it. Lou couldn’t help but giggle. Buck stopped Lou’s hands by taking them in his own. He thought he knew what she was up to.
“Louise, why do I get the feeling your trying to seduce me into a compromising situation?” Buck said still holding onto her hands and not letting go until he got an answer.
“To be honest I want to be with you. I’ve wanted to be with you again since the first night we were together. I thought if maybe I got you in a compromising situation you would want me back and we would make love. I love you Buck. I think I always have on some level. You’re the father of my child. How could I not love you? You gave me the most precious gift I’ve ever received. I will always love you even if you don’t want me,” Louise said trying not to cry.
“Lou haven’t you been listening to me. I said I love you and want to marry you. Not only because of Sunny, but because I want to be with you. I want to be there for you when you need me. I want to raise Sunny with you. I haven’t been with another woman since we were together. I only ever wanted you," Buck said as he kissed Louise tenderly.
“Now are you going to wash my hair so I can get clean and we can go to bed?” Buck said arching his eyebrow and smiling his crooked smile.
Louise giggled and pushed up her sleeves and started washing Buck’s hair.
Once Buck was through with his bath Lou gave him a very small towel. Buck gave her a look that said 'you are in so much trouble.’ They made their way to Lou’s bedroom where Louise checked on Sunny. She was sound asleep. Buck gave her a questioning look.
“Oh, don’t worry unlike her Daddy she can sleep through a thunderstorm right over the house. She’s even slept through fireworks on the Fourth of July last year. She likes to sleep late too. She won’t be up until about seven o’clock. So, we have awhile," Lou said as she took a comb from her dresser and started to comb Buck’s hair.
Buck took Lou in his arms and began unbuttoning her dress from the back as they kissed with a ferocity neither of them knew they possessed. Finally, they lay down on the bed still kissing. They made love late into the night. They fell asleep at four o’clock in the morning holding each other. They slept in each other’s arms with Buck’s chest to Lou’s back and his arm under Lou’s head. His other arm was draped over Lou’s side holding one of her hands. They slept the sleep of contented lovers.
Chapter Fourteen
In the morning Buck awoke to a third body in the bed. He saw Sunny in her nightgown sleeping right between himself and Lou on top of the covers. She was facing Buck. Both Buck and Lou were still naked from the night before so he didn’t dare get up or even move too much. Suddenly Sunny opened her eyes and Buck felt he was looking in a mirror at a little image of himself. She smiled and gave Buck a kiss on the cheek.
“Hi Daddy. You fell sleep in Mama’s bed. You suppose to be in you own bed. Awre you clwothes stwill wet? I sworry about da water and da swupper gettwing awll ovwer you. I love you daddy. I happy you here today. You not go away no more? I miss you if you go away. Mama swaid you come home swome day,” Sunny said brightly.
Lou turned over at the sound of her daughter's voice. She pulled up the covers and took in the sight of their daughter and Buck talking together.
“Well Good morning. Someone's up early today. Could you go get your daddy dolly and the book about the Kiowa legends you like for me, Sweet Pea? You can show Daddy while I go get his clothes off the line,” Lou said giving her the time to put her nightgown on and go get Buck's clothes while he stayed covered in bed looking at the Kiowa legends book.
Sunny came back with the book hugging her daddy dolly "Where did you get this book Sunny? It has Kiowa paintings in it. How did Mommy get them?" Buck asked taken aback by the detail in the book.
"Mama and Gumpa took me to swee Uncwle Rwed Bear for my bwirthday. He say I wook just wike you did when you were wittle. He pwainted the pwictures and Mama wrote dwown the stories. I love Uncwle Rwed Bear. He has a gwandson named Spwotted Owl. He's as old as me. We pwayed togethwer. He was nice. I lwearned swome Kiowa words. Ta mweans Daddy and Ka mweans Mama. That's awll I remembwer. Oh, I forgwot Manyi means wife. Uncwle Red Bear called Mama Rwunning Buck's Manyi. Who's Running Buck, Daddy?
"You really went to see Red Bear? He painted the pictures and told Lou the stories? He called Lou my Manyi?" Buck said to himself.
"Daddy who iz Rwunning Buck?" Sunny asked as she poked her father in the shoulder.
"I'm sorry Darlin'. I didn't mean to ignore you. Well Running Buck is me. But only the Kiowa call me Running Buck anymore. Now everybody calls me Buck. It's kind of a short name for my full name. Like Sunny is your short name for Mary "Setting Sun". Do you understand Angel?" Buck said to his daughter trying to help her to understand.
You're Rwunning Buck and everwybody calls you Buck. I'm Mary "Setting Sun" and everwybody calls me Sunny. Swo we both have short names. Does Mama have a short name, Daddy?" Sunny asked understanding what Buck was trying to explain.
"Yes, she does. Do you hear Gramma call her Louise?" Sunny nodded. "Do you hear Grampa and me call her Lou sometimes?" Sunny nodded again. "Mama's short name is Lou. Does that make sense?" Buck asked Sunny who was starting to fidget.
"Yes, Daddy that makes swense. Daddy I have to gwo potty," Sunny told her father as she jumped of the bed and did a little dance.
"I'll call your mother I can't get out of bed I'm not allowed to get up yet. Mama's orders," Buck said as he pulled the covers up further. "Lou?! Louise?! I need you."
Louise appeared in the door with Buck's clothing and a saucy smile on her face. "What did you say, Buck? You need me? Well I need you too but, not right now. I have to get this one to the potty. Here are your clothes. Come on Little Miss let's get you bathed and dressed. Then we can have breakfast. You coming Buck?" Lou said knowing Buck needed Sunny to leave the room for him to get dressed.
"Ah yeah I'll be right there. I have to get dressed. You go on ahead without me," Buck replied winking at Lou who blew him a very discreet kiss.
Buck got dressed and went to the mudroom to clean up. He found Lou giving Sunny a bath. Sunny was singing 'Mary Had A Little Lamb'. She was playing with a sponge and a tin cup while singing. Buck gave Lou a kiss on the cheek and then bent over and gave Sunny a kiss on the head. She smelled of lilacs just like her mama. Buck watched as Lou bathed Sunny. He was amazed that this little girl was his. He felt like the luckiest man in the world. He had his little ray of sunshine and the woman of his dreams. He wanted to marry Louise so much. Last night had been wonderful. He never dreamt life could be so good. He knew he had to find a job and a place to stay. He didn't want to impose on Teaspoon and Rachel and he knew he couldn't stay with Louise and Sunny anymore until Lou and he were married. He could probably stay occasionally, but if he stayed every night people would talk.
Lou was done bathing Sunny and was going to wash up herself. She wanted to see how well Buck could handle dressing Sunny for the first time.
"Buck, I need to wash up and Sunny needs to be dressed would you mind dressing her for me? Just pick out a chemise, a pair of pantalets, some cotton stockings, a dress and her shoes. Oh, and can you comb her hair? Do you know how to braid hair?" Buck just nodded as Lou handed Sunny to him wrapped in a towel.
Not wanting to look like an idiot he took Sunny and walked into her room. "Okay Angel where do we start? Does mama comb your hair first or dress you first?" Buck asked Sunny who was sitting on her bed still wrapped in a towel.
"She cwombs my hair fwirst. Then I get dwessed," Sunny said with a crooked smile that was so like Buck's.
"Okay I have the comb are you ready?" Buck asked Sunny as he sat down on the floor in front of Sunny's bed.
"Yes Daddy. I'm rweady." Sunny said cheerfully.
Buck ran the comb though Sunny's hair. He hadn't realized how long it was until it was out of the pigtails and wet. Buck combed her hair carefully as not to pull to hard. Buck tried to put her hair in two neat braids but Sunny wiggled so much they weren't quite up to Kiowa standards. Finally, he was done and he looked at Sunny and said "You look beautiful, Darlin'.
Buck went to Sunny's dresser and took out some clothes. He got out what he thought the clothing Lou had told him to pick out was. He put her pantalets on and her chemise, then her cotton stockings. He couldn't believe how cute she looked. Buck decided to let Sunny pick out her dress. Twenty minutes later she was still trying to decide which one she wanted. Lou entered her room and looked at Sunny's hair with a look of amusement on her face.
"Ahh Buck breakfast is ready. You two need some help. Okay Sunny do you want this dress," Lou said holding up a blue one "Or this dress." holding up a red one.
Sunny looked at the dresses and pointed to the red one. Buck looked like Lou had just solved the meaning of life. He looked at her with a look that said "How did you do that?” Buck put the dress on Sunny and then put on her shoes and tied them.
"You're all set, Pumpkin. Time for breakfast," Buck said to his beautiful little girl and walked her into the kitchen.
As they were getting breakfast on the table Lou asked Buck in a hushed tone, "I thought you knew how to braid hair. Her braids are all uneven and messy."
"I said I knew how to braid hair but you didn't tell me the subject of my braiding would be wiggling around like a worm. I've only ever braided my hair and I was 8 years old when I did it," Buck said in his defense.
Lou laughed and gave him a kiss. "You are a good father for only being at it for less than twenty-four hours. You did great. I'm just teasing you," Buck kissed her back.
"How cwome you kissin' mama, Daddy?" Sunny said that broke their kiss and made both of them blush.
"Because I love your mama, Angel. I love you because you're my little girl and daddies always love their little girls. I love your mama because she's your mama. Daddies and mamas always love each other. Does that answer your question, Honey?" Buck explained in the simplest terms he could think of.
"Yes, Daddy. You love us and want to kiss mama awll the time. I love you too, Daddy," Sunny said as she ate her porridge.
Buck looked at Lou with such love and affection in his eyes that she had to look away so she wouldn't cry. He was really good with Sunny. Buck had all these cute pet names for her and he'd only known her for a day. Lou was so happy that Buck was back she wanted to cry. She thought she would never see him again though she secretly wished he would return. She was truly blessed.
“Hi Daddy. You fell sleep in Mama’s bed. You suppose to be in you own bed. Awre you clwothes stwill wet? I sworry about da water and da swupper gettwing awll ovwer you. I love you daddy. I happy you here today. You not go away no more? I miss you if you go away. Mama swaid you come home swome day,” Sunny said brightly.
Lou turned over at the sound of her daughter's voice. She pulled up the covers and took in the sight of their daughter and Buck talking together.
“Well Good morning. Someone's up early today. Could you go get your daddy dolly and the book about the Kiowa legends you like for me, Sweet Pea? You can show Daddy while I go get his clothes off the line,” Lou said giving her the time to put her nightgown on and go get Buck's clothes while he stayed covered in bed looking at the Kiowa legends book.
Sunny came back with the book hugging her daddy dolly "Where did you get this book Sunny? It has Kiowa paintings in it. How did Mommy get them?" Buck asked taken aback by the detail in the book.
"Mama and Gumpa took me to swee Uncwle Rwed Bear for my bwirthday. He say I wook just wike you did when you were wittle. He pwainted the pwictures and Mama wrote dwown the stories. I love Uncwle Rwed Bear. He has a gwandson named Spwotted Owl. He's as old as me. We pwayed togethwer. He was nice. I lwearned swome Kiowa words. Ta mweans Daddy and Ka mweans Mama. That's awll I remembwer. Oh, I forgwot Manyi means wife. Uncwle Red Bear called Mama Rwunning Buck's Manyi. Who's Running Buck, Daddy?
"You really went to see Red Bear? He painted the pictures and told Lou the stories? He called Lou my Manyi?" Buck said to himself.
"Daddy who iz Rwunning Buck?" Sunny asked as she poked her father in the shoulder.
"I'm sorry Darlin'. I didn't mean to ignore you. Well Running Buck is me. But only the Kiowa call me Running Buck anymore. Now everybody calls me Buck. It's kind of a short name for my full name. Like Sunny is your short name for Mary "Setting Sun". Do you understand Angel?" Buck said to his daughter trying to help her to understand.
You're Rwunning Buck and everwybody calls you Buck. I'm Mary "Setting Sun" and everwybody calls me Sunny. Swo we both have short names. Does Mama have a short name, Daddy?" Sunny asked understanding what Buck was trying to explain.
"Yes, she does. Do you hear Gramma call her Louise?" Sunny nodded. "Do you hear Grampa and me call her Lou sometimes?" Sunny nodded again. "Mama's short name is Lou. Does that make sense?" Buck asked Sunny who was starting to fidget.
"Yes, Daddy that makes swense. Daddy I have to gwo potty," Sunny told her father as she jumped of the bed and did a little dance.
"I'll call your mother I can't get out of bed I'm not allowed to get up yet. Mama's orders," Buck said as he pulled the covers up further. "Lou?! Louise?! I need you."
Louise appeared in the door with Buck's clothing and a saucy smile on her face. "What did you say, Buck? You need me? Well I need you too but, not right now. I have to get this one to the potty. Here are your clothes. Come on Little Miss let's get you bathed and dressed. Then we can have breakfast. You coming Buck?" Lou said knowing Buck needed Sunny to leave the room for him to get dressed.
"Ah yeah I'll be right there. I have to get dressed. You go on ahead without me," Buck replied winking at Lou who blew him a very discreet kiss.
Buck got dressed and went to the mudroom to clean up. He found Lou giving Sunny a bath. Sunny was singing 'Mary Had A Little Lamb'. She was playing with a sponge and a tin cup while singing. Buck gave Lou a kiss on the cheek and then bent over and gave Sunny a kiss on the head. She smelled of lilacs just like her mama. Buck watched as Lou bathed Sunny. He was amazed that this little girl was his. He felt like the luckiest man in the world. He had his little ray of sunshine and the woman of his dreams. He wanted to marry Louise so much. Last night had been wonderful. He never dreamt life could be so good. He knew he had to find a job and a place to stay. He didn't want to impose on Teaspoon and Rachel and he knew he couldn't stay with Louise and Sunny anymore until Lou and he were married. He could probably stay occasionally, but if he stayed every night people would talk.
Lou was done bathing Sunny and was going to wash up herself. She wanted to see how well Buck could handle dressing Sunny for the first time.
"Buck, I need to wash up and Sunny needs to be dressed would you mind dressing her for me? Just pick out a chemise, a pair of pantalets, some cotton stockings, a dress and her shoes. Oh, and can you comb her hair? Do you know how to braid hair?" Buck just nodded as Lou handed Sunny to him wrapped in a towel.
Not wanting to look like an idiot he took Sunny and walked into her room. "Okay Angel where do we start? Does mama comb your hair first or dress you first?" Buck asked Sunny who was sitting on her bed still wrapped in a towel.
"She cwombs my hair fwirst. Then I get dwessed," Sunny said with a crooked smile that was so like Buck's.
"Okay I have the comb are you ready?" Buck asked Sunny as he sat down on the floor in front of Sunny's bed.
"Yes Daddy. I'm rweady." Sunny said cheerfully.
Buck ran the comb though Sunny's hair. He hadn't realized how long it was until it was out of the pigtails and wet. Buck combed her hair carefully as not to pull to hard. Buck tried to put her hair in two neat braids but Sunny wiggled so much they weren't quite up to Kiowa standards. Finally, he was done and he looked at Sunny and said "You look beautiful, Darlin'.
Buck went to Sunny's dresser and took out some clothes. He got out what he thought the clothing Lou had told him to pick out was. He put her pantalets on and her chemise, then her cotton stockings. He couldn't believe how cute she looked. Buck decided to let Sunny pick out her dress. Twenty minutes later she was still trying to decide which one she wanted. Lou entered her room and looked at Sunny's hair with a look of amusement on her face.
"Ahh Buck breakfast is ready. You two need some help. Okay Sunny do you want this dress," Lou said holding up a blue one "Or this dress." holding up a red one.
Sunny looked at the dresses and pointed to the red one. Buck looked like Lou had just solved the meaning of life. He looked at her with a look that said "How did you do that?” Buck put the dress on Sunny and then put on her shoes and tied them.
"You're all set, Pumpkin. Time for breakfast," Buck said to his beautiful little girl and walked her into the kitchen.
As they were getting breakfast on the table Lou asked Buck in a hushed tone, "I thought you knew how to braid hair. Her braids are all uneven and messy."
"I said I knew how to braid hair but you didn't tell me the subject of my braiding would be wiggling around like a worm. I've only ever braided my hair and I was 8 years old when I did it," Buck said in his defense.
Lou laughed and gave him a kiss. "You are a good father for only being at it for less than twenty-four hours. You did great. I'm just teasing you," Buck kissed her back.
"How cwome you kissin' mama, Daddy?" Sunny said that broke their kiss and made both of them blush.
"Because I love your mama, Angel. I love you because you're my little girl and daddies always love their little girls. I love your mama because she's your mama. Daddies and mamas always love each other. Does that answer your question, Honey?" Buck explained in the simplest terms he could think of.
"Yes, Daddy. You love us and want to kiss mama awll the time. I love you too, Daddy," Sunny said as she ate her porridge.
Buck looked at Lou with such love and affection in his eyes that she had to look away so she wouldn't cry. He was really good with Sunny. Buck had all these cute pet names for her and he'd only known her for a day. Lou was so happy that Buck was back she wanted to cry. She thought she would never see him again though she secretly wished he would return. She was truly blessed.
Chapter Fifteen
Buck went to a ranch not far from Rock Creek. He was told that he could possibly be hired by the owner of the ranch because the owner of the ranch and his old boss were friends. He had a letter of reference from his old boss saying he was miracle worker with horses and a good hard worker.
Buck rode on to the Bar T Ranch owned by Josiah Taylor. He didn't get the usual unfriendly looks from the ranch hands that were around when he rode in.
"Excuse me, where could I find Josiah Taylor?" Buck asked a hulk of man that put his hand out and said.
"Aiden Murphy. I'm the foreman and you are?"
"Oh, I'm sorry I'm Buck Cross. Mr. Oscar Hannigan from the Circle H Ranch sent me to see about a job."
"Ah Ole' Hannigan he's a good man. I'll bring you to the boss's office. I'm sure he can find a job for a strappin' young lad like yourself. Are ya good with horses Mr. Cross?" Aiden Murphy asked in a Brusque Irish accent.
"I rode for the Pony Express. So, I'd say I know my way around horses pretty well." Buck replied to the man.
"The Pony Express well that is impressive. That's quite a dangerous job. You must have been around horses a lot. We'll have to sit down and you can tell me some tales of the Pony Express. I always wanted to do somethin' like that but being the size I am it takes a mite big horse to support me." Aiden Murphy said truly interested in hearing about the Express. "Here we are. I'll just let him know your here. Nice meetin' you Cross. I hope I'll be seein' you around," Aiden stuck out his hand to Buck who shook it firmly right before the kind man knocked on the boss's door.
Mr. Josiah Taylor was a tall wiry man who when seeing that Buck worked on his old friend Oscar Hannigan's ranch hired Buck right away to work with the horses that needed training. He said Buck could start in two days. Buck shook the man's hand and left riding to Lou's house to tell her the news.
Buck rode on to the Bar T Ranch owned by Josiah Taylor. He didn't get the usual unfriendly looks from the ranch hands that were around when he rode in.
"Excuse me, where could I find Josiah Taylor?" Buck asked a hulk of man that put his hand out and said.
"Aiden Murphy. I'm the foreman and you are?"
"Oh, I'm sorry I'm Buck Cross. Mr. Oscar Hannigan from the Circle H Ranch sent me to see about a job."
"Ah Ole' Hannigan he's a good man. I'll bring you to the boss's office. I'm sure he can find a job for a strappin' young lad like yourself. Are ya good with horses Mr. Cross?" Aiden Murphy asked in a Brusque Irish accent.
"I rode for the Pony Express. So, I'd say I know my way around horses pretty well." Buck replied to the man.
"The Pony Express well that is impressive. That's quite a dangerous job. You must have been around horses a lot. We'll have to sit down and you can tell me some tales of the Pony Express. I always wanted to do somethin' like that but being the size I am it takes a mite big horse to support me." Aiden Murphy said truly interested in hearing about the Express. "Here we are. I'll just let him know your here. Nice meetin' you Cross. I hope I'll be seein' you around," Aiden stuck out his hand to Buck who shook it firmly right before the kind man knocked on the boss's door.
Mr. Josiah Taylor was a tall wiry man who when seeing that Buck worked on his old friend Oscar Hannigan's ranch hired Buck right away to work with the horses that needed training. He said Buck could start in two days. Buck shook the man's hand and left riding to Lou's house to tell her the news.
Buck put Warrior up in the barn with Lightning who hadn't been there the day before because he was getting re-shod. Buck was happy to see that Lou still had him.
Buck walked up to Lou's door and barely knocked once when the door swung open and Lou jumped into his arms and kissed him for all she was worth. Buck was stunned for a second but then melted into the kiss and picked Lou up around the waist and carried her into the house.
Buck broke the kiss worried Sunny would be in the room. "Wow that was some hello. I think I'll go back out and come back in," Buck said teasingly, but with affection.
"Oh you" Lou said as she swatted his chest. "You said you were looking for a job today and I was surprised to see you so soon. Did the job hunting go well?" Lou said as she poured a cup of coffee for her and Buck.
"As a matter of a fact yes it did go well. I am now employed at the Bar T ranch just outside Rock Creek. Mr. Taylor is a very generous man," Buck told Lou smiling
"Mr. Taylor, I know him. He loves to give Sunny gum drops at Tompkins' store. He even made her a wooden horse and rider toy for Christmas. He said his wife is Lakota and he loves her like no other. Says Sunny looks like his grandchildren. This must be fate you going to that nice man's ranch. This is good news. We should celebrate."
"Lou, where's Sunny? It's awful quiet around here," Buck asked wondering where his daughter could be.
"She's with her Gamma and Gumpa for the day until after supper. I was thinking we could take a picnic and go to this meadow I know that's not too far from here and have a little time together. What ya' say cowboy?" Lou said as she raised her skirt a little to show off some leg.
Buck couldn't say yes fast enough. He grabbed Lou and kissed her hard. "You better pack that picnic and bring a big blanket. I'm up for some us time," Buck replied kissing Lou on the top of her head as he went to ready the horses.
Buck walked up to Lou's door and barely knocked once when the door swung open and Lou jumped into his arms and kissed him for all she was worth. Buck was stunned for a second but then melted into the kiss and picked Lou up around the waist and carried her into the house.
Buck broke the kiss worried Sunny would be in the room. "Wow that was some hello. I think I'll go back out and come back in," Buck said teasingly, but with affection.
"Oh you" Lou said as she swatted his chest. "You said you were looking for a job today and I was surprised to see you so soon. Did the job hunting go well?" Lou said as she poured a cup of coffee for her and Buck.
"As a matter of a fact yes it did go well. I am now employed at the Bar T ranch just outside Rock Creek. Mr. Taylor is a very generous man," Buck told Lou smiling
"Mr. Taylor, I know him. He loves to give Sunny gum drops at Tompkins' store. He even made her a wooden horse and rider toy for Christmas. He said his wife is Lakota and he loves her like no other. Says Sunny looks like his grandchildren. This must be fate you going to that nice man's ranch. This is good news. We should celebrate."
"Lou, where's Sunny? It's awful quiet around here," Buck asked wondering where his daughter could be.
"She's with her Gamma and Gumpa for the day until after supper. I was thinking we could take a picnic and go to this meadow I know that's not too far from here and have a little time together. What ya' say cowboy?" Lou said as she raised her skirt a little to show off some leg.
Buck couldn't say yes fast enough. He grabbed Lou and kissed her hard. "You better pack that picnic and bring a big blanket. I'm up for some us time," Buck replied kissing Lou on the top of her head as he went to ready the horses.
Buck and Lou walked into the meadow and Buck saw wild rose bushes all around the perimeter. He and Lou laid down the quilt Buck had used the night before for something to cover up in after getting soaked to the bone along with Sunny in the mudroom. Buck sat down and pulled Lou down with him.
"This is a beautiful place. I love the wild roses. Which color is your favorite?" Buck inquired as he caressed Lou's cheek.
"I like the pink ones. Sunny likes the yellow ones. Rachel likes the red ones. I would want the white ones if I were to get married and the time of year was right for the roses to be in bloom. That is if the right man came along," Lou replied running her hand over Buck's chest.
"Well I hope you think I'm the right man because once I get a savings up, I'm going to marry you and make us a family. I may even buy a little piece of land to build our house on maybe Ike's Meadow. I think Ike would have liked that. I think Sunny would like it there. You can see the sunset from the meadow really well. You know I love you Louise. Don't you? I want to wake up with you every day and fall asleep with you every night. I want to raise Sunny with you and have more children. I've only ever thought of you while I was gone. No other woman could compare to you. You are definitely one of a kind. I thank the gods for you and Sunny," Buck said as he gathered Louise up in his arms and kissed her passionately.
"I would marry you whenever you're ready to have us as a family. I'm glad you're thinking about the future and having a nest egg. I think Ike's meadow would be perfect to build a house. I know you love me and I love you just as much. I've been thanking God all last night and today for you being back and wanting to be not only in your daughter's life but in mine too. You gave me the greatest gift I could ever have imagined. You gave me Sunny and I don't regret anything about the way it happened or what happened after that. My life is now better than it was because now you're back in it," Lou replied as she started to undo the buttons on Buck's shirt while she kissed him.
Buck started doing Lou's buttons on the front of her dress. Buck and Lou became one again among the wild roses that day. They made slow passionate love that only two people who really love each other can do. When they were through, they fell into the sleep of true lovers.
"This is a beautiful place. I love the wild roses. Which color is your favorite?" Buck inquired as he caressed Lou's cheek.
"I like the pink ones. Sunny likes the yellow ones. Rachel likes the red ones. I would want the white ones if I were to get married and the time of year was right for the roses to be in bloom. That is if the right man came along," Lou replied running her hand over Buck's chest.
"Well I hope you think I'm the right man because once I get a savings up, I'm going to marry you and make us a family. I may even buy a little piece of land to build our house on maybe Ike's Meadow. I think Ike would have liked that. I think Sunny would like it there. You can see the sunset from the meadow really well. You know I love you Louise. Don't you? I want to wake up with you every day and fall asleep with you every night. I want to raise Sunny with you and have more children. I've only ever thought of you while I was gone. No other woman could compare to you. You are definitely one of a kind. I thank the gods for you and Sunny," Buck said as he gathered Louise up in his arms and kissed her passionately.
"I would marry you whenever you're ready to have us as a family. I'm glad you're thinking about the future and having a nest egg. I think Ike's meadow would be perfect to build a house. I know you love me and I love you just as much. I've been thanking God all last night and today for you being back and wanting to be not only in your daughter's life but in mine too. You gave me the greatest gift I could ever have imagined. You gave me Sunny and I don't regret anything about the way it happened or what happened after that. My life is now better than it was because now you're back in it," Lou replied as she started to undo the buttons on Buck's shirt while she kissed him.
Buck started doing Lou's buttons on the front of her dress. Buck and Lou became one again among the wild roses that day. They made slow passionate love that only two people who really love each other can do. When they were through, they fell into the sleep of true lovers.
Chapter Sixteen
A month went by and Buck was putting away his money as often as possible. He loved working at the Bar T Ranch and got along with everyone. Lou had brought Sunny over to see him at lunch a few times and the ranch hands loved Sunny and would play with her. Mr. Taylor and his wife, Snow Bird acted like another set of grandparents to Sunny. Lou loved seeing Buck in his element with the horses and the ranch hands. She was so pleased he found this job.
The Fourth of July was that coming Saturday and Lou had made Sunny a red, white and blue dress with a white bonnet with red and blue ribbons. The dress was styled to look like Colonial times dresses girls wore back then. She even dressed her daddy dolly in a red, white and blue shirt, pants and tri-corner hat. Sunny was very excited. She didn't remember last year's celebration and was looking forward to the fireworks that her daddy had explained to her. Lou was feeling awful tired lately but just thought it was all the sewing she was doing among the other things that she did with Buck. She and Buck were closer than ever before. Buck would stay overnight the night before his day off and he and Lou would make love once Sunny was asleep. They would make sure to put some night clothes on before falling asleep so Sunny wouldn't find them like she did the first time Buck stayed over.
Lou was baking for the contests and sewing ladies, dresses for the dance on the Fourth that would start right after the fireworks. She managed with the little time she had to throw together a dress for herself. It was a royal blue dress with a sweetheart neckline and lace at the cuffs. She finally finished all the dresses on the second of July and got them to the ladies who ordered them in time for them to try them on. Everyone that had ordered a dress loved them. Lou finally had time to rest her tired body.
Lou was baking for the contests and sewing ladies, dresses for the dance on the Fourth that would start right after the fireworks. She managed with the little time she had to throw together a dress for herself. It was a royal blue dress with a sweetheart neckline and lace at the cuffs. She finally finished all the dresses on the second of July and got them to the ladies who ordered them in time for them to try them on. Everyone that had ordered a dress loved them. Lou finally had time to rest her tired body.
Saturday the Fourth of July was finally upon them. There were to be games and races for children and adults. Lou thought about entering her and Lightning in the horse race but then thought it wouldn't be proper for her to race with the men with her being a mother. Buck had entered the horse race, the shooting contest and the knife throwing contest. Lou entered her cherry pie in the pie baking contest, her vanilla cake with chocolate icing in the cake judging and her apple butter in the preserves contest. Sunny was entered in the children’s parade for most original Fourth of July outfits. She was excited about walking down the street along with the other children with a small marching band in front of them. She looked adorable in her new dress and bonnet. Buck and Lou were two very proud parents. They put the contest food safely in the back of the buckboard and put their now special quilt in the back so they could lie on it to see the fireworks. Buck tied Warrior to the back of the wagon then Buck helped Lou onto the wagon and then handed Sunny up to her. Just as Buck was about to climb onto the buckboard a horse and rider approached. Buck couldn't believe his eyes. It was Jimmy Hickok. He looked at Lou then at Sunny then at Buck and got a snide look on his face. Jimmy dismounted his horse and walked over to Buck. Buck wanted to shake his hand and welcome him but Jimmy had other ideas.
"I see you came back. What you feel guilty about knocking her up that you now act like an upstanding husband and father. That there should be Kid's wife and baby. You are one stupid bastard," Jimmy said angrily as Lou started to cry. When Sunny saw her mother crying, she cried too.
Buck took a swing at Jimmy and hit him hard in the jaw. Sunny screamed. Buck turned around to see if she was alright when Jimmy kicked Buck in the side making him fall to the ground. Jimmy then kicked Buck in the ribs where his boot heel cut Buck in the side making him bleed.
"JAMES BUTLER HICKOK! YOU STOP THIS AT ONCE!" Lou roared. Jimmy was so surprised that he stopped kicking Buck and just looked at Lou and Sunny both of them had tears running down their faces.
"GET OUT OF HERE RIGHT NOW! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU UNTIL YOU ARE CIVIL TO EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY! YOU GOT THAT?!" Lou screamed. Jimmy quickly got on his horse and rode away.
Sunny was so upset she was wiggling to get down and go to her daddy. Lou set her down as she got off of the buckboard herself. Sunny was at Buck's side first.
"Daddy! Daddy! Are you alwight?" Sunny asked between sobs. She put her hand on Buck's head and rubbed his hair. He wasn't waking up.
Lou finally got to Buck and knelt down beside him. "Buck? Buck? Please wake up. Buck Honey, can you hear me? Oh my God you're bleeding," Lou tore a piece of her petticoats and pressed it to Buck's side to stop the flow of blood.
Buck let out a groan and tried to sit up, but he just fell back down. "What happened? I heard Sunny scream and then I can't remember anything. Are you two okay? Help me up and we can go to the celebration," Buck replied.
"Buck, I don't think we should go to the celebration you need to see the doctor you're bleeding. I need to help you into the house. Can you stand up?" Lou said as she helped Buck up off the ground.
"I don't need the doctor. I'm not bleeding that much. I've bled more shaving I don't want Sunny to miss the celebration. She's been looking forward to it for weeks," Buck told Lou as he bent over to pick up Sunny who was in tears.
"It's alright, Darlin'. Daddy's fine. You want to go to your parade then we can get some watermelon and sit in the shade," Buck asked a distraught Sunny.
"Daddy you okay? Why dat man hurt you? I don't like him. Will he be at da parwade? I scarwed of him," Sunny cried as Buck hugged her to him.
"Sunny, Angel, how about we ask Gumpa to walk with you in the parade. He will make that man stay away from you. I think Gumpa wants to walk in the parade to show you off. He's very proud of you and so are mama and me. You were a good girl when that man came. You were very brave. I think you're the bravest little girl in town," Buck said comforting Sunny.
"Okay I go in da parwade if Gumpa go with me. I want to carrwy my daddy dolly and my flwag. Mama was brwave girl too. She yelled at dat man to go way," Sunny replied as Lou wiped her daughters face with her handkerchief.
"Yes, Sweet Pea, Mama was very brave too. You are my two best girls. Let's go," Buck said as he helped Lou and Sunny up into the wagon again. Lou looked nervous as she tried to get to the cut. "Lou, I'll have the doc stitch it up and I'll be as good as new.
"How about I don't ride in the horse race and I take it easy. I'll just go to the knife throwing contest and then we can have something to eat. Okay? Lou really I'm fine," Buck replied to help Lou get over her nerves she was obviously feeling.
"Okay if you take it easy and if Jimmy is there, I don't want any fighting. You give him a wide berth. I want you to tell Teaspoon about Jimmy and don't let Jimmy rile you up. You'll go to the doctor? You promise?" Lou asked.
"I promise. Now can we go?" Buck answered
"Yes, now we can go."
"I see you came back. What you feel guilty about knocking her up that you now act like an upstanding husband and father. That there should be Kid's wife and baby. You are one stupid bastard," Jimmy said angrily as Lou started to cry. When Sunny saw her mother crying, she cried too.
Buck took a swing at Jimmy and hit him hard in the jaw. Sunny screamed. Buck turned around to see if she was alright when Jimmy kicked Buck in the side making him fall to the ground. Jimmy then kicked Buck in the ribs where his boot heel cut Buck in the side making him bleed.
"JAMES BUTLER HICKOK! YOU STOP THIS AT ONCE!" Lou roared. Jimmy was so surprised that he stopped kicking Buck and just looked at Lou and Sunny both of them had tears running down their faces.
"GET OUT OF HERE RIGHT NOW! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU UNTIL YOU ARE CIVIL TO EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY! YOU GOT THAT?!" Lou screamed. Jimmy quickly got on his horse and rode away.
Sunny was so upset she was wiggling to get down and go to her daddy. Lou set her down as she got off of the buckboard herself. Sunny was at Buck's side first.
"Daddy! Daddy! Are you alwight?" Sunny asked between sobs. She put her hand on Buck's head and rubbed his hair. He wasn't waking up.
Lou finally got to Buck and knelt down beside him. "Buck? Buck? Please wake up. Buck Honey, can you hear me? Oh my God you're bleeding," Lou tore a piece of her petticoats and pressed it to Buck's side to stop the flow of blood.
Buck let out a groan and tried to sit up, but he just fell back down. "What happened? I heard Sunny scream and then I can't remember anything. Are you two okay? Help me up and we can go to the celebration," Buck replied.
"Buck, I don't think we should go to the celebration you need to see the doctor you're bleeding. I need to help you into the house. Can you stand up?" Lou said as she helped Buck up off the ground.
"I don't need the doctor. I'm not bleeding that much. I've bled more shaving I don't want Sunny to miss the celebration. She's been looking forward to it for weeks," Buck told Lou as he bent over to pick up Sunny who was in tears.
"It's alright, Darlin'. Daddy's fine. You want to go to your parade then we can get some watermelon and sit in the shade," Buck asked a distraught Sunny.
"Daddy you okay? Why dat man hurt you? I don't like him. Will he be at da parwade? I scarwed of him," Sunny cried as Buck hugged her to him.
"Sunny, Angel, how about we ask Gumpa to walk with you in the parade. He will make that man stay away from you. I think Gumpa wants to walk in the parade to show you off. He's very proud of you and so are mama and me. You were a good girl when that man came. You were very brave. I think you're the bravest little girl in town," Buck said comforting Sunny.
"Okay I go in da parwade if Gumpa go with me. I want to carrwy my daddy dolly and my flwag. Mama was brwave girl too. She yelled at dat man to go way," Sunny replied as Lou wiped her daughters face with her handkerchief.
"Yes, Sweet Pea, Mama was very brave too. You are my two best girls. Let's go," Buck said as he helped Lou and Sunny up into the wagon again. Lou looked nervous as she tried to get to the cut. "Lou, I'll have the doc stitch it up and I'll be as good as new.
"How about I don't ride in the horse race and I take it easy. I'll just go to the knife throwing contest and then we can have something to eat. Okay? Lou really I'm fine," Buck replied to help Lou get over her nerves she was obviously feeling.
"Okay if you take it easy and if Jimmy is there, I don't want any fighting. You give him a wide berth. I want you to tell Teaspoon about Jimmy and don't let Jimmy rile you up. You'll go to the doctor? You promise?" Lou asked.
"I promise. Now can we go?" Buck answered
"Yes, now we can go."
The town was a beehive of activity. Buck, Lou and Sunny arrived in front of the marshal's office where Teaspoon and Rachel were waiting for them.
"What took you so long the parade is going to start in fifteen minutes," Teaspoon asked as he took his granddaughter from Lou and assisted Lou down from the buckboard.
"We had a little trouble. Jimmy showed up he said some things I didn't like and we had a small fight," Buck told Teaspoon. "I got a cut and I'm going to have the doc look at it right now. He's right there over by the bandstand. I'll go ask him to check it out.
"Don't worry Sweet Pea I'll be back in time for the parade. Gumpa do you think you could walk with Sunny in the parade she's afraid of seeing Jimmy," Buck said teasingly to Teaspoon. He knew only Sunny called Teaspoon Gumpa.
"I'll keep an eye out for him. And yes, I would be delighted to walk with Miss Sunny in the parade," Teaspoon said picking up Sunny again. "Sunny do you think I have a chance of winning the prize for best costume?"
"You silly, Gumpa. Iz for wittle kids. You a bwig man. You not wittle," Sunny said taking his face in her hands. "You need to shave Gumpa. Like Daddy. You have too many wriskers.
"Thank you Sunny Darlin' I've been telling him that all day," Rachel said as she kissed her granddaughter. "Let's go get a place in line in the parade for you and Gumpa."
"What took you so long the parade is going to start in fifteen minutes," Teaspoon asked as he took his granddaughter from Lou and assisted Lou down from the buckboard.
"We had a little trouble. Jimmy showed up he said some things I didn't like and we had a small fight," Buck told Teaspoon. "I got a cut and I'm going to have the doc look at it right now. He's right there over by the bandstand. I'll go ask him to check it out.
"Don't worry Sweet Pea I'll be back in time for the parade. Gumpa do you think you could walk with Sunny in the parade she's afraid of seeing Jimmy," Buck said teasingly to Teaspoon. He knew only Sunny called Teaspoon Gumpa.
"I'll keep an eye out for him. And yes, I would be delighted to walk with Miss Sunny in the parade," Teaspoon said picking up Sunny again. "Sunny do you think I have a chance of winning the prize for best costume?"
"You silly, Gumpa. Iz for wittle kids. You a bwig man. You not wittle," Sunny said taking his face in her hands. "You need to shave Gumpa. Like Daddy. You have too many wriskers.
"Thank you Sunny Darlin' I've been telling him that all day," Rachel said as she kissed her granddaughter. "Let's go get a place in line in the parade for you and Gumpa."
Buck was back in plenty of time for the parade. He stood with Lou and Rachel on the boardwalk as the children walked down the street with a small marching band in front of them. Sunny was beaming. She looked the just like a little colonial girl with her Gumpa beside her his chest puffed out with pride. When Sunny saw her parents and Gamma she waved her flag at them happily until she spotted Jimmy down the street out of the view of Buck, Lou and Rachel. When Jimmy tipped his hat to her she clung to Teaspoon's leg. Teaspoon saw where she was looking and gave Jimmy a hard look. Then Teaspoon picked Sunny up so she couldn't see Jimmy. She perked up again once they were past Jimmy. Buck, Lou and Rachel met Teaspoon and Sunny at the bandstand where the children were being judged for their Colonial outfits.
Sunny was given first prize in her age group. She wore the blue ribbon proudly on her dress as she ran to her parents as happy as could be.
"Mama! Daddy! Gamma! I wron fwirst prwize. See my brue ribbon," Sunny said excitedly as her daddy picked her up. Buck felt a twinge in his side but thought nothing of it.
"Yes, Angel you look beautiful. I'm so proud of you. You did real, good in the parade. Oh, did Daddy Dolly get a blue ribbon too?" Buck said smiling proudly at his daughter.
"Oh, look at that Sunny's doll did get a blue ribbon. Did the judges like him too?" Lou said surprised that a rag doll won a blue ribbon.
"Yep. Sunny showed the judges her Daddy Dolly and they said he deserved a blue ribbon too. She just loves that doll." Teaspoon added jovially.
"Is anybody hungry? I have fried chicken, potato salad and peach pie if anyone wants it." Rachel asked her family.
"Darlin' do you have any of that apple cider to wash all that down with?" Teaspoon queried as he helped escort Rachel across the street to where their wagon was with the food in it.
Teaspoon spotted Jimmy looking at the group. Teaspoon knew Buck spotted him too because he put a protective arm around Louise's waist while he carried Sunny as they walked across the street. Teaspoon had to find out what happened between his two former riders before anything else happened.
Teaspoon asked Buck to go get some corn on the cob with him to get him away from the group to talk about what happened.
As they walked Teaspoon asked Buck, "What happened with you and Jimmy son? Lou looked a mite upset when you drove up. She doesn't get shaken as easily as most women. What did Jimmy say?"
"Jimmy came, riding up to the house and I was happy to see him. I wanted him to meet Sunny. I went to shake his hand and he said he saw I came back he asked if I was so guilty for knocking her up as he pointed at Louise that now I was an upstanding husband and father. He said that Lou and Sunny should be Kid's family and then called me a stupid bastard. It wasn't him calling me a stupid bastard that bothered me. I've been called that and worse all my life. It was that he disrespected Louise to the point that she cried. He had no right to talk about her like that. He acted like Sunny wasn't even there. Sunny was crying because Louise was crying. So, I punched Jimmy and Sunny screamed I turned to see if she was okay and Jimmy kicked me in the side and I fell over then he started to kick me. I must have gotten his boot heel in my side which caused my cut. I think I passed out because the next thing I know Sunny was rubbing my hair and calling to me and so was Louise. They were both sobbing. I could beat Jimmy to a bloody pulp. Now Sunny's afraid of him and she didn't want to be in the parade. That's why I asked you to walk with her. Jimmy wants to make nothing but trouble. I used to think of him as a brother but now I could care less if I ever saw him again. He's causing Louise and Sunny to be upset. I don't want them being afraid for me because Jimmy wants to make trouble. Jimmy doesn't understand how much I love Louise and how much she loves me. I love Sunny as much as any father that had known her from birth would. I think I love her more because I have to make up for that time. I want to marry Louise and be a proper family with her and Sunny. Jimmy threw them out of his life and walked away. He has no right to come here and make trouble for us. Louise, Sunny and I are happy why, does he have to ruin that. If he comes near Louise or Sunny again, I swear Teaspoon I will make sure he doesn't hurt my family." Buck told Teaspoon.
"I think your right about Jimmy wanting to cause trouble and he shouldn't have said and did what he did to you and Lou at her house. I just can't imagine why Jimmy would be so disrespectful to Louise and act like Sunny wasn't there. I know he left mad about you being the father of Lou's baby but, he never said anything hurtful to Louise that I know of. It doesn't sit right with me. I don't know if you saw him during the parade but, he was looking right at Sunny and he scared her. That's why I picked her up. So, she couldn't see Jimmy. I'll have to find him and have a talk with him. Buck, you look mighty pale do you feel okay? I know it's hot out but you're sweating bullets. Let's get you over to the wagon and have you, sit in the shade and drink some water." Teaspoon said to Buck as they walked back to the wagon.
"Yeah it is a little hot in the sun. My head is aching something fierce. I wonder if I've caught a cold from one of the hands at the ranch. A bug was going around last week. Teaspoon I feel dizz...," Buck commented as he began to get dizzy falling to the ground. He made a groaning noise when he met the ground.
"Buck! Buck! Can you hear me? Somebody, go for the doctor!" Teaspoon yelled. Teaspoon rolled Buck onto his back and saw that his wound had reopened. Teaspoon took Buck's hat off and cradled his head in his lap.
Josiah Taylor, Buck's boss and his foreman Aiden Murphy made their way through the crowd and kneeled beside Buck and Teaspoon. They saw Buck looking paler than they've ever saw him, with a fever and the blood on his shirt.
"What happened Marshal? Has he been shot?" Aiden asked pointing to the blood.
"No, he hasn't been shot he got in a fight and the guy kicked him in the side and cut him with the heel of his boot. Josiah, could you go get Louise and tell her not to bring Sunny to leave her with Rachel. I don't want her finding out with the little one around. They're over by the picnic tables." Teaspoon asked for Buck's bosses help.
"Sure thing, Teaspoon. I'll make sure, Sunny stays with Rachel or she can stay with my wife Snow Bird and me until someone comes for her." Josiah Taylor said as he got up and ran through the crowd to find Louise.
"Where the hell is the doctor? Buck's getting more feverish by the minute." Teaspoon hollered.
Just then Louise pushed her way through the crowd to find the love of her life lying on the ground looking very ill. Lou ran to Buck's side and fell to her knees.
"No! Buck! What's wrong with him Teaspoon? Is he bleeding again? Has he woken up since he passed out?" Lou asked as tears trailed down her face onto Buck's shirt.
Lou was now holding Buck's head and running her fingers through his hair and kissing his face when finally, Dr. Stone came running up to them with a concerned look on his face.
"How long has he been out?" Dr. Stone asked Teaspoon
"About ten minutes or more he’s really hot to the touch and sweating a lot. His cut is bleeding again." Teaspoon answered the doctor.
"We need to get him to my office."
Aiden Murphy, who was a bear of a man, had been standing silently behind Louise came forward and picked up Buck like he was a small child and cradled him in his arms bringing him to the doctor’s office. Teaspoon helped Louise up and he started to head after the doctor and Aiden when he felt Louise go rigid. She pulled out of his arms and flew at the man who caused all this trouble in the first place.
Lou screamed like a wild woman as she ran at Jimmy. Jimmy was not prepared for the force and speed in which Lou hit him. Lou knocked Jimmy over and was on top of him punching him as hard as she could.
"You did this! I could lose the one man I love in my life because you're jealous that he has my heart and not you or Kid! He's my baby's father! Does that mean nothing to you! She loves him and now she may lose him because of you! You bastard! If I had my gun, I'd kill you right here and now! I never want to see you again! Do you hear me NEVER!" Lou screamed at Jimmy as she punched him hard in the face.
"Lou! Louise! Come on now. Buck needs your strength and this won't help anything. Honey you need to calm down. You'll make yourself sick. Buck and Sunny need you. You can't be sick when they need you. Come on Sweetheart." Teaspoon said as he pulled Louise off of Jimmy and took her in his arms trying to calm her down and comfort her at the same time.
Teaspoon walked off with Louise as she sobbed into his shirt. Jimmy sat up with his face bloodied and his clothing mussed and finally realized what he had done. He hadn't realized that Lou had loved Buck so much and that Buck loved her and their daughter more than anything. Now they may lose him because of his jealously and anger. He had to apologize and make amends.
Sunny was given first prize in her age group. She wore the blue ribbon proudly on her dress as she ran to her parents as happy as could be.
"Mama! Daddy! Gamma! I wron fwirst prwize. See my brue ribbon," Sunny said excitedly as her daddy picked her up. Buck felt a twinge in his side but thought nothing of it.
"Yes, Angel you look beautiful. I'm so proud of you. You did real, good in the parade. Oh, did Daddy Dolly get a blue ribbon too?" Buck said smiling proudly at his daughter.
"Oh, look at that Sunny's doll did get a blue ribbon. Did the judges like him too?" Lou said surprised that a rag doll won a blue ribbon.
"Yep. Sunny showed the judges her Daddy Dolly and they said he deserved a blue ribbon too. She just loves that doll." Teaspoon added jovially.
"Is anybody hungry? I have fried chicken, potato salad and peach pie if anyone wants it." Rachel asked her family.
"Darlin' do you have any of that apple cider to wash all that down with?" Teaspoon queried as he helped escort Rachel across the street to where their wagon was with the food in it.
Teaspoon spotted Jimmy looking at the group. Teaspoon knew Buck spotted him too because he put a protective arm around Louise's waist while he carried Sunny as they walked across the street. Teaspoon had to find out what happened between his two former riders before anything else happened.
Teaspoon asked Buck to go get some corn on the cob with him to get him away from the group to talk about what happened.
As they walked Teaspoon asked Buck, "What happened with you and Jimmy son? Lou looked a mite upset when you drove up. She doesn't get shaken as easily as most women. What did Jimmy say?"
"Jimmy came, riding up to the house and I was happy to see him. I wanted him to meet Sunny. I went to shake his hand and he said he saw I came back he asked if I was so guilty for knocking her up as he pointed at Louise that now I was an upstanding husband and father. He said that Lou and Sunny should be Kid's family and then called me a stupid bastard. It wasn't him calling me a stupid bastard that bothered me. I've been called that and worse all my life. It was that he disrespected Louise to the point that she cried. He had no right to talk about her like that. He acted like Sunny wasn't even there. Sunny was crying because Louise was crying. So, I punched Jimmy and Sunny screamed I turned to see if she was okay and Jimmy kicked me in the side and I fell over then he started to kick me. I must have gotten his boot heel in my side which caused my cut. I think I passed out because the next thing I know Sunny was rubbing my hair and calling to me and so was Louise. They were both sobbing. I could beat Jimmy to a bloody pulp. Now Sunny's afraid of him and she didn't want to be in the parade. That's why I asked you to walk with her. Jimmy wants to make nothing but trouble. I used to think of him as a brother but now I could care less if I ever saw him again. He's causing Louise and Sunny to be upset. I don't want them being afraid for me because Jimmy wants to make trouble. Jimmy doesn't understand how much I love Louise and how much she loves me. I love Sunny as much as any father that had known her from birth would. I think I love her more because I have to make up for that time. I want to marry Louise and be a proper family with her and Sunny. Jimmy threw them out of his life and walked away. He has no right to come here and make trouble for us. Louise, Sunny and I are happy why, does he have to ruin that. If he comes near Louise or Sunny again, I swear Teaspoon I will make sure he doesn't hurt my family." Buck told Teaspoon.
"I think your right about Jimmy wanting to cause trouble and he shouldn't have said and did what he did to you and Lou at her house. I just can't imagine why Jimmy would be so disrespectful to Louise and act like Sunny wasn't there. I know he left mad about you being the father of Lou's baby but, he never said anything hurtful to Louise that I know of. It doesn't sit right with me. I don't know if you saw him during the parade but, he was looking right at Sunny and he scared her. That's why I picked her up. So, she couldn't see Jimmy. I'll have to find him and have a talk with him. Buck, you look mighty pale do you feel okay? I know it's hot out but you're sweating bullets. Let's get you over to the wagon and have you, sit in the shade and drink some water." Teaspoon said to Buck as they walked back to the wagon.
"Yeah it is a little hot in the sun. My head is aching something fierce. I wonder if I've caught a cold from one of the hands at the ranch. A bug was going around last week. Teaspoon I feel dizz...," Buck commented as he began to get dizzy falling to the ground. He made a groaning noise when he met the ground.
"Buck! Buck! Can you hear me? Somebody, go for the doctor!" Teaspoon yelled. Teaspoon rolled Buck onto his back and saw that his wound had reopened. Teaspoon took Buck's hat off and cradled his head in his lap.
Josiah Taylor, Buck's boss and his foreman Aiden Murphy made their way through the crowd and kneeled beside Buck and Teaspoon. They saw Buck looking paler than they've ever saw him, with a fever and the blood on his shirt.
"What happened Marshal? Has he been shot?" Aiden asked pointing to the blood.
"No, he hasn't been shot he got in a fight and the guy kicked him in the side and cut him with the heel of his boot. Josiah, could you go get Louise and tell her not to bring Sunny to leave her with Rachel. I don't want her finding out with the little one around. They're over by the picnic tables." Teaspoon asked for Buck's bosses help.
"Sure thing, Teaspoon. I'll make sure, Sunny stays with Rachel or she can stay with my wife Snow Bird and me until someone comes for her." Josiah Taylor said as he got up and ran through the crowd to find Louise.
"Where the hell is the doctor? Buck's getting more feverish by the minute." Teaspoon hollered.
Just then Louise pushed her way through the crowd to find the love of her life lying on the ground looking very ill. Lou ran to Buck's side and fell to her knees.
"No! Buck! What's wrong with him Teaspoon? Is he bleeding again? Has he woken up since he passed out?" Lou asked as tears trailed down her face onto Buck's shirt.
Lou was now holding Buck's head and running her fingers through his hair and kissing his face when finally, Dr. Stone came running up to them with a concerned look on his face.
"How long has he been out?" Dr. Stone asked Teaspoon
"About ten minutes or more he’s really hot to the touch and sweating a lot. His cut is bleeding again." Teaspoon answered the doctor.
"We need to get him to my office."
Aiden Murphy, who was a bear of a man, had been standing silently behind Louise came forward and picked up Buck like he was a small child and cradled him in his arms bringing him to the doctor’s office. Teaspoon helped Louise up and he started to head after the doctor and Aiden when he felt Louise go rigid. She pulled out of his arms and flew at the man who caused all this trouble in the first place.
Lou screamed like a wild woman as she ran at Jimmy. Jimmy was not prepared for the force and speed in which Lou hit him. Lou knocked Jimmy over and was on top of him punching him as hard as she could.
"You did this! I could lose the one man I love in my life because you're jealous that he has my heart and not you or Kid! He's my baby's father! Does that mean nothing to you! She loves him and now she may lose him because of you! You bastard! If I had my gun, I'd kill you right here and now! I never want to see you again! Do you hear me NEVER!" Lou screamed at Jimmy as she punched him hard in the face.
"Lou! Louise! Come on now. Buck needs your strength and this won't help anything. Honey you need to calm down. You'll make yourself sick. Buck and Sunny need you. You can't be sick when they need you. Come on Sweetheart." Teaspoon said as he pulled Louise off of Jimmy and took her in his arms trying to calm her down and comfort her at the same time.
Teaspoon walked off with Louise as she sobbed into his shirt. Jimmy sat up with his face bloodied and his clothing mussed and finally realized what he had done. He hadn't realized that Lou had loved Buck so much and that Buck loved her and their daughter more than anything. Now they may lose him because of his jealously and anger. He had to apologize and make amends.
Chapter Seventeen
An hour later Buck was still unconscious and his fever was the highest it had been since he was brought into the doctor's clinic. The doctor surmised that Buck had an infection in the cut in his side. He said that all he could do was give him laudanum and try to keep him cool.
Lou knew Buck would not take laudanum because of his drinking problem. He didn't want the urge to drink to come back. She told the doctor this and he agreed that if he had a drinking problem then he could get addicted to the laudanum but, he didn't know what else he could give him for the pain and fever.
A few weeks after Buck came back to Rock Creek Sunny had a bad cold with a sore throat and minor fever. Buck had made a tea from willow bark that would make the fever go down and the pain less. Sunny was up and running around a few days after Buck had given it to her. Buck had shown Louise how to make it just in case he wasn't there when Sunny was sick. Louise told the doctor that she knew how to make it and it would help Buck's fever and pain. The doctor agreed and Teaspoon set out to Louise's house to find the jar with the willow bark in it. He was back in no time and Louise prepared the tea for Buck. They managed to get some into him. Now they had to wait.
Rachel came into the clinic without Sunny. Teaspoon wondered where Sunny was and asked Rachel.
"She's fine. She's with Josiah Taylor and his wife Snow Bird. They are going to watch the fireworks together. She's been asking for her Mama and Daddy. I told her she would see them soon. I couldn't tell her the truth and she seemed to accept what I said. She loves the Taylor's. They're going to bring her here after the fireworks. How's Buck? Is Louise with him? I heard Louise beat Jimmy up pretty bad. He's sporting a black eye and a split lip. I can't believe this is happening. Louise and Sunny just got him back and now..." Rachel couldn't finish her sentence. Teaspoon took her in his arms and held her while she wept.
Louise sat by the bed Buck lay in putting cool cloths on his forehead and holding his hand and talking to him softly. Lou was angry not at Buck, but at Jimmy. She could not believe the gall of that man coming to her house and talking like that to her and Buck and then hurting Buck the way he did. She once thought of him as a brother and friend now he was nothing to her. She hoped she had caused him some pain when she was hitting him. It was nothing compared to the pain Buck was in now or he had caused him emotionally and mentally. Not to mention the pain it caused her and her daughter plus Teaspoon and Rachel.
Louise remembered back to a time when she needed her express family to be there for her and two of them had left and the other was killed. She thought back to the day she had to tell the riders she was pregnant not with Kid's child, but with Buck's. Louise sat back and remembered.
It was a hot August day Jimmy, Cody and Noah were fixing the barn door. Kid had left the night before and the boys didn't know why he had left. They didn't want to ask Louise what had happened just yet because she was so upset.
Louise asked the boys to come to the bunkhouse because she had something to tell them. They followed her and went inside they all sat down at the table as Rachel poured them all a cup of coffee.
"So, what do you have to tell us Lou?" Jimmy asked wondering what had happened between her and Kid.
"Well it's a good thing if you look at it positively. Please don't ask any questions until I'm done speaking. Okay?" Louise said looking at each of the remaining riders.
"Okay out with it already," Cody said getting antsy wanting to know what Lou was going to say.
"Well the best thing is I'm going to have a baby." They all went to say something but Louise put up her hand. "I'm not finished. The baby isn't Kid's it's Buck's. About three months ago we had a special run to Silver Lake and there was only one room left in the hotel so we shared it. Buck got drunk at the saloon and came to bed. I kissed him when he got into bed. One thing led to another and we 'danced'. I sort of took advantage of the situation. I have had feelings for Buck for a long time and wanted more out of our relationship. He didn't remember the night we 'danced' the next day and I let it go thinking it was for the best. I still love Buck and wish he were here. I went to the doctor yesterday and was told I was definitely pregnant. I told Kid yesterday and he left because of what I did and the fact that the baby wasn't his. He said he wasn't going to accept a bastard baby as his own. Now say whatever you have to say," Louise said waiting for the comments and angry opinions.
Cody was the first to sound off on the baby and the way it was conceived.
"I can't believe you Lou! You took advantage of Buck's drunken state to have him 'dance' with you and you never talked to him about it. And now you're pregnant with his child. You should have known better than to do something like that Lou. I'm ashamed of you," Cody said as he shook his head and walked out of the bunkhouse.
Lou felt like she was going to cry. She looked at Jimmy who was about to blow any second.
"Lou I can't say you didn't have the right to 'dance' with anyone you pleased while you and Kid, were apart but, I can't believe you didn't tell Kid about this when you got back together. Kid's right to have left. I wouldn't want another man's baby as my own. You just stay away from me and we won't have words. I never known you to be a woman to sleep around. You acted like a saloon girl for God's sake, Lou. People will call you a whore or worse a half breed's whore. You ought to give that baby up. You ain't one to be caring for a baby with the way you acted," Jimmy said angrily.
Louise was now in tears and was sobbing as Rachel held her. Noah was the only rider left in the bunkhouse and Louise waited to hear how he would condemn her for her actions.
"Lou, first off congratulations on the baby I think it's wonderful you're having Buck's baby. I've been seeing how Kid treats you. He has you up on a pedestal and that isn't how you should see the one you love. You should be on level ground together in the relationship. I've seen how bad you were hurting after Buck left. Now I know why. You love him. I'd bet my daddy's silver saddle that he comes back here someday soon and sees the beautiful baby you both made and marries you up right quick. I think by looking at Buck's past actions towards you before you were together and after, shows me how much he cares for you. He may even love you, but was hurting too bad about Ike to do anything about it at that time. You can count on me to be there when the baby is born and to be Uncle Noah. Jimmy and Cody had no right to say what they said. It's your life and you can do what you like. I'll tell you that when a man's drunk he knows how to say no even when a beautiful woman is kissing him in bed. I'm sure Buck knew exactly what he was doing and probably remembered what happened but was too embarrassed to say anything and thought since you didn't bring it up you wanted to forget it. You just wait and see how much you will love that baby. You're going to be a great mother, Louise. I just know it," Noah said with a smile on his face.
Noah walked up to Louise and gave her a big hug that let her know he was there for her.
Lou then remembered that Noah was killed two weeks later and Jimmy and Cody barely spoke to her before they left. Now Jimmy was back. He had already hurt Buck and was inadvertently hurting Sunny. She didn't know what she would do if Buck died. She didn't think she would be able to go on but, she would have to go on for their daughter's sake. She would keep Buck's memory alive like she had when he was gone for so long.
Just then Buck cried out, "Louise! Sunny! Where are you? I can't find you. Please come to me," He shot up in bed and screamed and then fell back into an unconscious state.
Lou grabbed Buck's hand, "Buck! Buck! Sweetheart can you hear me?" He moaned and opened his eyes they were glassy and tired looking. Buck turned his head and saw Louise. He tried to smile but it only came out as a grimace. Louise picked up the tea cup beside the bed and lifted Buck's head and had him drink the willow bark tea. He struggled a bit trying not to drink it thinking it was laudanum but then remembered the smell of the tea from when he was a child and drank the tea knowing it would help the pain.
Lou laid Buck's head back down. "You had us worried Buck. I thought I was going to lose you. I'll go get the doctor," Louise said.
Buck grabbed her hand and said, "Don't go I need to know where Sunny is?"
"She's fine Buck. She's with Mr. Taylor and his wife Snow Bird. They're watching the fireworks together," Louise told Buck.
Louise remembered back to a time when she needed her express family to be there for her and two of them had left and the other was killed. She thought back to the day she had to tell the riders she was pregnant not with Kid's child, but with Buck's. Louise sat back and remembered.
It was a hot August day Jimmy, Cody and Noah were fixing the barn door. Kid had left the night before and the boys didn't know why he had left. They didn't want to ask Louise what had happened just yet because she was so upset.
Louise asked the boys to come to the bunkhouse because she had something to tell them. They followed her and went inside they all sat down at the table as Rachel poured them all a cup of coffee.
"So, what do you have to tell us Lou?" Jimmy asked wondering what had happened between her and Kid.
"Well it's a good thing if you look at it positively. Please don't ask any questions until I'm done speaking. Okay?" Louise said looking at each of the remaining riders.
"Okay out with it already," Cody said getting antsy wanting to know what Lou was going to say.
"Well the best thing is I'm going to have a baby." They all went to say something but Louise put up her hand. "I'm not finished. The baby isn't Kid's it's Buck's. About three months ago we had a special run to Silver Lake and there was only one room left in the hotel so we shared it. Buck got drunk at the saloon and came to bed. I kissed him when he got into bed. One thing led to another and we 'danced'. I sort of took advantage of the situation. I have had feelings for Buck for a long time and wanted more out of our relationship. He didn't remember the night we 'danced' the next day and I let it go thinking it was for the best. I still love Buck and wish he were here. I went to the doctor yesterday and was told I was definitely pregnant. I told Kid yesterday and he left because of what I did and the fact that the baby wasn't his. He said he wasn't going to accept a bastard baby as his own. Now say whatever you have to say," Louise said waiting for the comments and angry opinions.
Cody was the first to sound off on the baby and the way it was conceived.
"I can't believe you Lou! You took advantage of Buck's drunken state to have him 'dance' with you and you never talked to him about it. And now you're pregnant with his child. You should have known better than to do something like that Lou. I'm ashamed of you," Cody said as he shook his head and walked out of the bunkhouse.
Lou felt like she was going to cry. She looked at Jimmy who was about to blow any second.
"Lou I can't say you didn't have the right to 'dance' with anyone you pleased while you and Kid, were apart but, I can't believe you didn't tell Kid about this when you got back together. Kid's right to have left. I wouldn't want another man's baby as my own. You just stay away from me and we won't have words. I never known you to be a woman to sleep around. You acted like a saloon girl for God's sake, Lou. People will call you a whore or worse a half breed's whore. You ought to give that baby up. You ain't one to be caring for a baby with the way you acted," Jimmy said angrily.
Louise was now in tears and was sobbing as Rachel held her. Noah was the only rider left in the bunkhouse and Louise waited to hear how he would condemn her for her actions.
"Lou, first off congratulations on the baby I think it's wonderful you're having Buck's baby. I've been seeing how Kid treats you. He has you up on a pedestal and that isn't how you should see the one you love. You should be on level ground together in the relationship. I've seen how bad you were hurting after Buck left. Now I know why. You love him. I'd bet my daddy's silver saddle that he comes back here someday soon and sees the beautiful baby you both made and marries you up right quick. I think by looking at Buck's past actions towards you before you were together and after, shows me how much he cares for you. He may even love you, but was hurting too bad about Ike to do anything about it at that time. You can count on me to be there when the baby is born and to be Uncle Noah. Jimmy and Cody had no right to say what they said. It's your life and you can do what you like. I'll tell you that when a man's drunk he knows how to say no even when a beautiful woman is kissing him in bed. I'm sure Buck knew exactly what he was doing and probably remembered what happened but was too embarrassed to say anything and thought since you didn't bring it up you wanted to forget it. You just wait and see how much you will love that baby. You're going to be a great mother, Louise. I just know it," Noah said with a smile on his face.
Noah walked up to Louise and gave her a big hug that let her know he was there for her.
Lou then remembered that Noah was killed two weeks later and Jimmy and Cody barely spoke to her before they left. Now Jimmy was back. He had already hurt Buck and was inadvertently hurting Sunny. She didn't know what she would do if Buck died. She didn't think she would be able to go on but, she would have to go on for their daughter's sake. She would keep Buck's memory alive like she had when he was gone for so long.
Just then Buck cried out, "Louise! Sunny! Where are you? I can't find you. Please come to me," He shot up in bed and screamed and then fell back into an unconscious state.
Lou grabbed Buck's hand, "Buck! Buck! Sweetheart can you hear me?" He moaned and opened his eyes they were glassy and tired looking. Buck turned his head and saw Louise. He tried to smile but it only came out as a grimace. Louise picked up the tea cup beside the bed and lifted Buck's head and had him drink the willow bark tea. He struggled a bit trying not to drink it thinking it was laudanum but then remembered the smell of the tea from when he was a child and drank the tea knowing it would help the pain.
Lou laid Buck's head back down. "You had us worried Buck. I thought I was going to lose you. I'll go get the doctor," Louise said.
Buck grabbed her hand and said, "Don't go I need to know where Sunny is?"
"She's fine Buck. She's with Mr. Taylor and his wife Snow Bird. They're watching the fireworks together," Louise told Buck.
A half hour later Buck was sitting up in bed looking like he was in a little pain but was much better than before. The doctor said the infection wasn't as bad as he first thought and Buck would be up and around in a few days. Buck could hear the fireworks going off overhead and wished he could be there with Sunny and Louise as a family for their first Fourth of July together. Louise was off in the kitchen making some more willow bark tea. Buck turned his head when he heard footsteps coming up to the door. He heard a little knock and then he heard, "Daddy arwe you in therwe?"
"Come on in Pumpkin," Buck said as the door opened and Sunny walked into the room.
"Daddy mama said you gwot hurt. Arwe you feelwing awll better?" Sunny said as she climbed onto the bed next to her father. Sunny gave her father a kiss and snuggled into his side and fell asleep. It had been a very long day for all of them. Buck kissed her head and fell back to sleep.
Louise came in a few minutes later with the cup of willow bark tea. She saw the two loves of her life sleeping on the bed and smiled. She was so blessed. Louise yawned. She made herself comfortable on the bed lying next to Sunny. She closed her eyes and went to sleep.
"Come on in Pumpkin," Buck said as the door opened and Sunny walked into the room.
"Daddy mama said you gwot hurt. Arwe you feelwing awll better?" Sunny said as she climbed onto the bed next to her father. Sunny gave her father a kiss and snuggled into his side and fell asleep. It had been a very long day for all of them. Buck kissed her head and fell back to sleep.
Louise came in a few minutes later with the cup of willow bark tea. She saw the two loves of her life sleeping on the bed and smiled. She was so blessed. Louise yawned. She made herself comfortable on the bed lying next to Sunny. She closed her eyes and went to sleep.
Chapter Eighteen
Buck was at the doctor's clinic for a week. He had healed nicely and was ready to head back to work and the bunkhouse at the Bar T Ranch but, first he was to spend the day with Louise and Sunny at their home as a family.
Buck rode Warrior to Louise's house. He saw Louise was hanging the wash. Louise didn't hear Buck because she was lost in her thoughts. Buck walked up to the clothes line that Louise was at a poked his head over the top of the line. Louise didn't look up instead she put a clothes pin on Buck nose.
"Hey watch it there. Don't you remember that's the only nose I got? What is it with you and our daughter and noses?" Buck said jokingly.
Louise was startled out of her thoughts and saw what she had just done and smiled then she turned green and ran to the bushes that ran along the road and vomited violently. Buck was at her side immediately he held her as she was purged of everything, she ate that day. When Louise was finished, he picked her up in his arms carrying her into the house to her bedroom and laid her on the bed. Buck then got a cup of water for her to drink. Buck was worried by what had just happened. He handed the cup to Louise who drank it slowly. He looked at her closely. She looked fine. She had a glow about her that he had never seen before. He wondered why she had not seen him and just threw up all that she had in her stomach.
"Louise, are you alright? You didn't hear me ride up and I was right in front of you and you didn't see me. Then you just vomited in the bushes. Do you want me to get the doctor? I'm worried about you," Buck said concerned for his loves health.
"I'm alright Buck. I just ain't been feeling too well lately. As for not seeing or hearing you I was trying to do some math in my head. I was just really deep in thought. Really, I'm fine," Louise said trying to placate Buck as she tried to get up.
"I don't believe you, Louise. You can eat the nastiest jerky and hard tack. You even ate Teaspoon cooking and you never have gotten as much as a dry heave. I'm taking you to the doctor's clinic right now. Where's Sunny so we can get her ready to go," Buck said sternly.
"Buck the doctor's not necessary. I just ate something that didn't agree with me. Sunny's with Teaspoon in town getting some new shoes and some gumdrops," Louise said trying to convince Buck she was fine.
"Why aren't you with Sunny getting her shoes? Why is Teaspoon doing it?" Buck asked suspiciously.
"I was too tired to go into town this morning and when Teaspoon came by, I asked him to take Sunny to get her shoes," Louise told Buck too tired right at that moment to argue with him.
"That's it I'm taking you to the doctor and I won't take any arguments from you. You get ready I'm going to hitch up the buckboard." Buck said as he gave Louise a stern look and then a kiss on the forehead before going to get the buckboard ready.
Buck rode Warrior to Louise's house. He saw Louise was hanging the wash. Louise didn't hear Buck because she was lost in her thoughts. Buck walked up to the clothes line that Louise was at a poked his head over the top of the line. Louise didn't look up instead she put a clothes pin on Buck nose.
"Hey watch it there. Don't you remember that's the only nose I got? What is it with you and our daughter and noses?" Buck said jokingly.
Louise was startled out of her thoughts and saw what she had just done and smiled then she turned green and ran to the bushes that ran along the road and vomited violently. Buck was at her side immediately he held her as she was purged of everything, she ate that day. When Louise was finished, he picked her up in his arms carrying her into the house to her bedroom and laid her on the bed. Buck then got a cup of water for her to drink. Buck was worried by what had just happened. He handed the cup to Louise who drank it slowly. He looked at her closely. She looked fine. She had a glow about her that he had never seen before. He wondered why she had not seen him and just threw up all that she had in her stomach.
"Louise, are you alright? You didn't hear me ride up and I was right in front of you and you didn't see me. Then you just vomited in the bushes. Do you want me to get the doctor? I'm worried about you," Buck said concerned for his loves health.
"I'm alright Buck. I just ain't been feeling too well lately. As for not seeing or hearing you I was trying to do some math in my head. I was just really deep in thought. Really, I'm fine," Louise said trying to placate Buck as she tried to get up.
"I don't believe you, Louise. You can eat the nastiest jerky and hard tack. You even ate Teaspoon cooking and you never have gotten as much as a dry heave. I'm taking you to the doctor's clinic right now. Where's Sunny so we can get her ready to go," Buck said sternly.
"Buck the doctor's not necessary. I just ate something that didn't agree with me. Sunny's with Teaspoon in town getting some new shoes and some gumdrops," Louise said trying to convince Buck she was fine.
"Why aren't you with Sunny getting her shoes? Why is Teaspoon doing it?" Buck asked suspiciously.
"I was too tired to go into town this morning and when Teaspoon came by, I asked him to take Sunny to get her shoes," Louise told Buck too tired right at that moment to argue with him.
"That's it I'm taking you to the doctor and I won't take any arguments from you. You get ready I'm going to hitch up the buckboard." Buck said as he gave Louise a stern look and then a kiss on the forehead before going to get the buckboard ready.
Fifteen minutes later Louise and Buck were riding into town. Buck put his arm around Louise who was almost falling asleep in the seat beside him. Buck was really worried. He had never seen Louise act this way.
They arrived in town and saw Jimmy's horse outside the saloon. Buck thought it was not good that Jimmy was still in town.
Buck pulled the buckboard in front of the doctor's clinic he had just spent a week in. He gently woke Louise. He got down from the buckboard and picked Louise up off the wagon setting her down gently on her feet. Buck put his arm around her protectively as they walked into the doctor's clinic.
"Good afternoon Louise, Buck. You’re not feeling ill again Buck?" Dr. Stone said looking at Buck hoping his fever wasn't back.
"No, it's not me Doc. It's Louise. She isn't feeling too good. I thought you should take a look at her. Is now a good time?" Buck told the doctor hoping he could see her right away.
"Sure, I have time right now. Louise why don't you step into the examining room and I'll take a look at you," Doc Stone said to Louise.
They arrived in town and saw Jimmy's horse outside the saloon. Buck thought it was not good that Jimmy was still in town.
Buck pulled the buckboard in front of the doctor's clinic he had just spent a week in. He gently woke Louise. He got down from the buckboard and picked Louise up off the wagon setting her down gently on her feet. Buck put his arm around her protectively as they walked into the doctor's clinic.
"Good afternoon Louise, Buck. You’re not feeling ill again Buck?" Dr. Stone said looking at Buck hoping his fever wasn't back.
"No, it's not me Doc. It's Louise. She isn't feeling too good. I thought you should take a look at her. Is now a good time?" Buck told the doctor hoping he could see her right away.
"Sure, I have time right now. Louise why don't you step into the examining room and I'll take a look at you," Doc Stone said to Louise.
Buck waited in the waiting room for about ten minutes. He was getting antsy thinking something was seriously wrong with Louise when the door opened and Louise walked out of the doctors, inner office.
Buck looked at Louise and knew there was something wrong. Buck steadied himself for the blow he knew was coming. He knew Louise was sick and wondered how much time he had left with her. He didn't think he could go on without Louise. He would have to do it for Sunny.
"What did the doctor say, Sweetie?" Buck asked tentatively.
"Everything is fine. I just have a little stomach bug that's making me tired. It should pass soon. I may be sick to my stomach a bit until it goes away, but everything will be fine. Can you take me to Teaspoon and Rachel’s? We need to pick up Sunny and I need to talk to Rachel about some woman things. I'll need a little while so can you take Sunny for a walk? Louise told Buck as they left the doctor's clinic.
"Are you sure everything's alright? You're not keeping something from me?" Buck asked not sure if Louise was telling the truth about what the doctor said.
"I'm sure Buck. Everything's fine. I just have a stomach bug and it will pass with time," Louise lied to the only man she ever loved and it was killing her.
"Okay if you say so. You'll tell me if there's something wrong. Promise?" Buck asked Louise knowing there was something that she was keeping from him. Louise just nodded not looking at Buck.
Buck looked at Louise and knew there was something wrong. Buck steadied himself for the blow he knew was coming. He knew Louise was sick and wondered how much time he had left with her. He didn't think he could go on without Louise. He would have to do it for Sunny.
"What did the doctor say, Sweetie?" Buck asked tentatively.
"Everything is fine. I just have a little stomach bug that's making me tired. It should pass soon. I may be sick to my stomach a bit until it goes away, but everything will be fine. Can you take me to Teaspoon and Rachel’s? We need to pick up Sunny and I need to talk to Rachel about some woman things. I'll need a little while so can you take Sunny for a walk? Louise told Buck as they left the doctor's clinic.
"Are you sure everything's alright? You're not keeping something from me?" Buck asked not sure if Louise was telling the truth about what the doctor said.
"I'm sure Buck. Everything's fine. I just have a stomach bug and it will pass with time," Louise lied to the only man she ever loved and it was killing her.
"Okay if you say so. You'll tell me if there's something wrong. Promise?" Buck asked Louise knowing there was something that she was keeping from him. Louise just nodded not looking at Buck.
They arrived at Teaspoon and Rachel's right after lunch. Teaspoon was playing with Sunny in the yard in front of the old station house. The minute she saw her mama and daddy she ran to them.
"Mama! Daddy! I gwot nwew shwoes! I rweally like them! Gumpa pwicked them out!" Sunny yelled as she ran to greet them.
"Those are really pretty shoes, Angel. I like them a lot. How are you today?" Buck stated to Sunny as he picked her up giving her a kiss and a hug.
"I good Daddy. Gumpa was playing I spwy with mwy wittle eye. I is rweally good at it. Do you want play? It rweally fwun. I can teach you," Sunny said cheerfully to her daddy. "Hi Mama! Do you want to play too?"
"Hello, Honey. I can't play today because I have to talk to Gramma. You have fun with Daddy and Grampa," Louise told her daughter. "Hi Teaspoon. Thank you for picking out Sunny's shoes. You made a good choice." Louise gave Teaspoon a kiss on the cheek as she went into the house. She had to talk with Rachel about the news she just got.
"Mama! Daddy! I gwot nwew shwoes! I rweally like them! Gumpa pwicked them out!" Sunny yelled as she ran to greet them.
"Those are really pretty shoes, Angel. I like them a lot. How are you today?" Buck stated to Sunny as he picked her up giving her a kiss and a hug.
"I good Daddy. Gumpa was playing I spwy with mwy wittle eye. I is rweally good at it. Do you want play? It rweally fwun. I can teach you," Sunny said cheerfully to her daddy. "Hi Mama! Do you want to play too?"
"Hello, Honey. I can't play today because I have to talk to Gramma. You have fun with Daddy and Grampa," Louise told her daughter. "Hi Teaspoon. Thank you for picking out Sunny's shoes. You made a good choice." Louise gave Teaspoon a kiss on the cheek as she went into the house. She had to talk with Rachel about the news she just got.
"Rachel!? Are you here? I really need to talk to you." Louise called as Rachel came out of the kitchen.
"Louise, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost. Come sit down." Rachel said guiding Louise into sitting room.
"Buck brought me to the doctor today. I knew what was wrong with me but he wouldn't take no for an answer. Rachel, I'm going to have another baby, Buck's baby. "Louise said with tears in her eyes.
"Louise, that's wonderful! Aren't you happy about it?" Rachel asked.
"I'm happy about the baby. It's just the timing isn't very good. Buck doesn't have enough money in his nest egg to take care of me and two children. He just started working for Mr. Taylor. I'm certain that in six and a half months he won't have enough to care for himself and the three of us. I don't know what to do. I don't want to put any added pressure on him because he might feel the need to drink. I think I'm going to hold off telling him until I really start to show. He may be mad at me for keeping it from him, but I think it's for the best. Buck needs more time to work and not worry about another child on the way. I have all of Sunny's old baby things and if it's a boy I can probably ask Emma to send some of her son's baby clothes. We won't have much to buy that's new. I can alter my dresses to fit me throughout my pregnancy. I'm just afraid that Buck won't want another child so soon. He wanted us married and settled in a new house. Oh, Rachel, this is just the worst timing. I should have never made love to Buck this time before we were able to get married," Louise said as she began to cry in earnest.
Rachel held Louise while she cried. "Louise this will all turn out for the best. Buck will be fine about the baby. I can't make you to tell him, but I hope you do soon. How are you going to hide the baby growing inside you? I'm sure Buck will notice right away. He's very observant, Louise. He's going to be able to tell in a month or two."
"I don't know how I'll hide it, but I can't put the pressure on him now. Maybe when I start to show I can just say I'm gaining weight. He might buy that," Louise said as a sob came from her lips.
"Louise, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost. Come sit down." Rachel said guiding Louise into sitting room.
"Buck brought me to the doctor today. I knew what was wrong with me but he wouldn't take no for an answer. Rachel, I'm going to have another baby, Buck's baby. "Louise said with tears in her eyes.
"Louise, that's wonderful! Aren't you happy about it?" Rachel asked.
"I'm happy about the baby. It's just the timing isn't very good. Buck doesn't have enough money in his nest egg to take care of me and two children. He just started working for Mr. Taylor. I'm certain that in six and a half months he won't have enough to care for himself and the three of us. I don't know what to do. I don't want to put any added pressure on him because he might feel the need to drink. I think I'm going to hold off telling him until I really start to show. He may be mad at me for keeping it from him, but I think it's for the best. Buck needs more time to work and not worry about another child on the way. I have all of Sunny's old baby things and if it's a boy I can probably ask Emma to send some of her son's baby clothes. We won't have much to buy that's new. I can alter my dresses to fit me throughout my pregnancy. I'm just afraid that Buck won't want another child so soon. He wanted us married and settled in a new house. Oh, Rachel, this is just the worst timing. I should have never made love to Buck this time before we were able to get married," Louise said as she began to cry in earnest.
Rachel held Louise while she cried. "Louise this will all turn out for the best. Buck will be fine about the baby. I can't make you to tell him, but I hope you do soon. How are you going to hide the baby growing inside you? I'm sure Buck will notice right away. He's very observant, Louise. He's going to be able to tell in a month or two."
"I don't know how I'll hide it, but I can't put the pressure on him now. Maybe when I start to show I can just say I'm gaining weight. He might buy that," Louise said as a sob came from her lips.
After a few minutes Louise got herself under control and said she had to go to get supper started for her, Buck and Sunny. She said good bye to Rachel and went outside to see Buck holding a sleeping Sunny as he quietly talked to Teaspoon.
"I forgot it was past her nap time. I'm an awful mother," Louise ran crying back into Rachel and Teaspoon's house. She was crying so hard she began to vomit. Buck handed Sunny carefully to Teaspoon and ran after Louise. He found her hunched over the sink throwing up.
Buck took a wash cloth and wet it and ran it over the nape of her neck. When Louise was done, he picked her up and brought her to the sitting room. Buck ran the cloth over Louise's face and neck. Buck hoped this stomach bug Louise had would go away soon. He hated seeing her this way.
"You feel any better. I don't think you should move until you feel a little bit better and I will take you home and I'll make supper while you rest. I make a good tasting beef stew," Buck said as he wiped the cloth over Louise's face again.
At the mention of food Louise threw up all over Buck's shirt and pants. Buck didn't let this bother him. He held Louise as she, dry heaved and got her a drink of water. He was careful not to get the vomit on any surface or piece of furniture in Rachel's clean house.
Louise saw what she did and began to cry again. She turned away from Buck and cried into the pillow her head was resting on.
"I...I'm so sorry Buck. I'm a horrible person," Louise cried as Buck reached out to her but she pulled away.
"Louise, Sweetheart, the shirt and pants can be washed. I'm just worried about you. Why are you pulling away? I want to give you comfort. After I clean myself that is. What aren't you telling me? Did the doctor give you bad news? I can take whatever you tell me. Please Louise, don't shut me out," Buck pleaded with Louise feeling like he was losing the only woman he's ever loved.
Louise sat up and put her feet on the floor. She got up and gathered her things and walked past Buck outside to the buckboard. Buck knew something was wrong, but Louise wasn't giving away any clues. Buck cleaned off his shirt and pants a good as he could and walked out to find Louise and Sunny gone. Only Rachel was there. Buck felt like he was twelve years old again and all alone in the world.
Rachel saw the look on Buck's face and said, "Buck give her some time. She's not feeling well right now and doesn't know what she's doing. She'll realize what she's doing and you two will talk. Then everything will be okay. I can loan you a horse if you want."
"No thanks Rachel I'll just walk to Louise's and get my horse. Then I'll head back to the Taylor Ranch. I think we need some time away from each other. She's made that abundantly clear. I'll see you later Rachel. Have a nice day," Buck told Rachel as he put his hat on and turned to walk down the road.
"I forgot it was past her nap time. I'm an awful mother," Louise ran crying back into Rachel and Teaspoon's house. She was crying so hard she began to vomit. Buck handed Sunny carefully to Teaspoon and ran after Louise. He found her hunched over the sink throwing up.
Buck took a wash cloth and wet it and ran it over the nape of her neck. When Louise was done, he picked her up and brought her to the sitting room. Buck ran the cloth over Louise's face and neck. Buck hoped this stomach bug Louise had would go away soon. He hated seeing her this way.
"You feel any better. I don't think you should move until you feel a little bit better and I will take you home and I'll make supper while you rest. I make a good tasting beef stew," Buck said as he wiped the cloth over Louise's face again.
At the mention of food Louise threw up all over Buck's shirt and pants. Buck didn't let this bother him. He held Louise as she, dry heaved and got her a drink of water. He was careful not to get the vomit on any surface or piece of furniture in Rachel's clean house.
Louise saw what she did and began to cry again. She turned away from Buck and cried into the pillow her head was resting on.
"I...I'm so sorry Buck. I'm a horrible person," Louise cried as Buck reached out to her but she pulled away.
"Louise, Sweetheart, the shirt and pants can be washed. I'm just worried about you. Why are you pulling away? I want to give you comfort. After I clean myself that is. What aren't you telling me? Did the doctor give you bad news? I can take whatever you tell me. Please Louise, don't shut me out," Buck pleaded with Louise feeling like he was losing the only woman he's ever loved.
Louise sat up and put her feet on the floor. She got up and gathered her things and walked past Buck outside to the buckboard. Buck knew something was wrong, but Louise wasn't giving away any clues. Buck cleaned off his shirt and pants a good as he could and walked out to find Louise and Sunny gone. Only Rachel was there. Buck felt like he was twelve years old again and all alone in the world.
Rachel saw the look on Buck's face and said, "Buck give her some time. She's not feeling well right now and doesn't know what she's doing. She'll realize what she's doing and you two will talk. Then everything will be okay. I can loan you a horse if you want."
"No thanks Rachel I'll just walk to Louise's and get my horse. Then I'll head back to the Taylor Ranch. I think we need some time away from each other. She's made that abundantly clear. I'll see you later Rachel. Have a nice day," Buck told Rachel as he put his hat on and turned to walk down the road.
Chapter Nineteen
A month and a half went by and Louise became even more distant with Buck. Buck tried to get Louise to respond to his affection, but stopped when he realized that she was not interested. Buck came three times a week to see Sunny. He would play with her while Louise lay down or went to town to do some errands. Buck was feeling like he had done something to make Louise act this way. He talked to both Teaspoon and Rachel about Louise. They told him to give her time. Rachel kept her promise to Louise and never told Buck she was carrying his child. Buck was feeling like he wanted to take a drink, but didn't because of Sunny. Sunny was his world now. He had to stay sober for her. Sunny needed her father.
One day in Louise's fourth month Teaspoon brought Sunny to town like usual. Louise had gone into town with Rachel to look at some baby things. Buck was at work at the Taylor Ranch. Jimmy had just returned to town after being a way a month. Teaspoon was the only one of the express family that would talk to him. He would tell Jimmy about Rachel, Buck, Louise and Sunny.
Teaspoon was about to take Sunny for a ride on his horse and put her in the saddle, untied the reins and was about to swing up behind Sunny when a ruckus broke out at the saloon. Shots rang out and Teaspoon's horse spooked and took off running with Sunny in the saddle holding on for dear life. Louise saw this happen and fainted into Teaspoons arms. Teaspoon was yelling for someone to go after the horse because Sunny was on it. Then they saw a light, colored Palomino and rider take off after Sunny.
Jimmy was riding as fast as he could to catch up to Sunny. He could hear her screams as she bounced around in the saddle. Finally, Jimmy caught up to her, pulled her off the horse and held her to himself as he slowed down to a trot. Sunny was holding onto Jimmy for dear life. She was sobbing so much all he could make out was 'daddy'.
Jimmy made his way back to town and saw that everyone was waiting for them to return. Louise had been revived and was sitting down on a bench in front of Tompkins store. Teaspoon saw Jimmy riding into town and he ran out to the street to help with Sunny.
"That was some fast riding, Son. Come here Sweetheart, I'll bring you to Mama," Teaspoon said to Sunny.
Sunny wouldn't let go of Jimmy. Louise walked out to meet Jimmy and her daughter to thank him for saving Sunny.
"Oh, Sunny thank God you're alright. Come to Mama, Baby. I have to make sure you're alright." Louise reached up and took Sunny from Jimmy. Jimmy got off his horse. Someone took the reins from him to give his horse some water. The minute Jimmy turned toward Louise and Sunny. Sunny practically jumped into his arms and began to cry.
Jimmy was so surprised that he looked at Louise to see if it was alright. She just smiled at him and gave him a hug.
"You saved her life, Jimmy. I can never thank you enough. Everything I said to you from when you got here in July to now, is forgotten and the slate is wiped clean. She could have been killed if you hadn't saved her. I'm glad to see you back as my brother. It's been too long," Louise said as she began to cry.
"What was I to do? I had to save this little one to keep you from feeling pain again. Oh, I think she's asleep and I think she wet her pants while on the horse. I would have done more than that if it was me at her age being on a horse like that. Who taught her to sit a horse so good? She really knew how to hold on and not lose her balance," Jimmy said as he walked over to Louise's buckboard.
"Teaspoon and I taught her since she could sit up to sit with us in the saddle. She rides with Teaspoon or Buck every day. Oh Lord can someone go tell Buck what happened. He'll want to know. I have to get this little one home and changed."
I already paid the livery for taking care of Sundance and I don't think this one is going to let go anytime soon. Why don't you drive us to your house in the buckboard? Then you can tend to her," Jimmy said before carefully climbing up on the conveyance and taking Louise's hand to help her up. Louise slapped the reins and they were off to her house.
Teaspoon was about to take Sunny for a ride on his horse and put her in the saddle, untied the reins and was about to swing up behind Sunny when a ruckus broke out at the saloon. Shots rang out and Teaspoon's horse spooked and took off running with Sunny in the saddle holding on for dear life. Louise saw this happen and fainted into Teaspoons arms. Teaspoon was yelling for someone to go after the horse because Sunny was on it. Then they saw a light, colored Palomino and rider take off after Sunny.
Jimmy was riding as fast as he could to catch up to Sunny. He could hear her screams as she bounced around in the saddle. Finally, Jimmy caught up to her, pulled her off the horse and held her to himself as he slowed down to a trot. Sunny was holding onto Jimmy for dear life. She was sobbing so much all he could make out was 'daddy'.
Jimmy made his way back to town and saw that everyone was waiting for them to return. Louise had been revived and was sitting down on a bench in front of Tompkins store. Teaspoon saw Jimmy riding into town and he ran out to the street to help with Sunny.
"That was some fast riding, Son. Come here Sweetheart, I'll bring you to Mama," Teaspoon said to Sunny.
Sunny wouldn't let go of Jimmy. Louise walked out to meet Jimmy and her daughter to thank him for saving Sunny.
"Oh, Sunny thank God you're alright. Come to Mama, Baby. I have to make sure you're alright." Louise reached up and took Sunny from Jimmy. Jimmy got off his horse. Someone took the reins from him to give his horse some water. The minute Jimmy turned toward Louise and Sunny. Sunny practically jumped into his arms and began to cry.
Jimmy was so surprised that he looked at Louise to see if it was alright. She just smiled at him and gave him a hug.
"You saved her life, Jimmy. I can never thank you enough. Everything I said to you from when you got here in July to now, is forgotten and the slate is wiped clean. She could have been killed if you hadn't saved her. I'm glad to see you back as my brother. It's been too long," Louise said as she began to cry.
"What was I to do? I had to save this little one to keep you from feeling pain again. Oh, I think she's asleep and I think she wet her pants while on the horse. I would have done more than that if it was me at her age being on a horse like that. Who taught her to sit a horse so good? She really knew how to hold on and not lose her balance," Jimmy said as he walked over to Louise's buckboard.
"Teaspoon and I taught her since she could sit up to sit with us in the saddle. She rides with Teaspoon or Buck every day. Oh Lord can someone go tell Buck what happened. He'll want to know. I have to get this little one home and changed."
I already paid the livery for taking care of Sundance and I don't think this one is going to let go anytime soon. Why don't you drive us to your house in the buckboard? Then you can tend to her," Jimmy said before carefully climbing up on the conveyance and taking Louise's hand to help her up. Louise slapped the reins and they were off to her house.
Buck got word about Sunny and made his way to Louise's house as soon as possible. He knocked on the door. Louise answered and said, "Hello Buck. She's fine. She sleeping and is doing much better."
"I want to see her, Louise. I need to see she's alright for myself, I know this isn't one of my days to visit, but under the circumstances I think you can make an exception," Buck said angrier than he was.
"Okay come on in. She right here with her savior, "Louise smiled at Buck for the first time in over a month.
Buck walked into the kitchen and saw Sunny asleep in Jimmy's arms. He felt like a vice had a grip on his heart when he saw that his little girl was so comfortable with the man that almost killed him on the Fourth of July. Buck walked over to Jimmy and Sunny. He put his hand on her head then kissed her head. He then walked out of house got on his horse and headed for town.
Buck thought to himself, 'I've been replaced by Jimmy. Louise always had a fondness for him. I know they kissed once. I bet Sunny will be told to call him daddy soon. She'll easily forget about her real daddy and accept Jimmy as her father. That's probably why Louise rejected me and is so sullen all the time. He hadn't come back until today and that is the first time, I've seen her smile since he left. They'll be married soon and I won't be wanted around here anymore. I have no family anymore. I'm alone again. I guess I shouldn't have gotten so attached to Sunny. Everything turns bad in my life. Everyone leaves me or makes me leave.'
Buck found himself in front of the saloon and went inside. He ordered a bottle of whiskey and went to sit at a table in a dark corner. Buck was half way through the bottle when a saloon girl came up to him and asked him if he wanted some alone time with her. Buck told her no and drank the rest of the bottle. He then ordered another one. By the time nightfall came he was on his third bottle. Over the years that Buck had been a drunken mess his body had learned to take a lot of alcohol in a short time and not pass out. Buck decided after the third bottle he was going to go to Louise's house and make her understand that he loved her and wanted to be with her.
"I want to see her, Louise. I need to see she's alright for myself, I know this isn't one of my days to visit, but under the circumstances I think you can make an exception," Buck said angrier than he was.
"Okay come on in. She right here with her savior, "Louise smiled at Buck for the first time in over a month.
Buck walked into the kitchen and saw Sunny asleep in Jimmy's arms. He felt like a vice had a grip on his heart when he saw that his little girl was so comfortable with the man that almost killed him on the Fourth of July. Buck walked over to Jimmy and Sunny. He put his hand on her head then kissed her head. He then walked out of house got on his horse and headed for town.
Buck thought to himself, 'I've been replaced by Jimmy. Louise always had a fondness for him. I know they kissed once. I bet Sunny will be told to call him daddy soon. She'll easily forget about her real daddy and accept Jimmy as her father. That's probably why Louise rejected me and is so sullen all the time. He hadn't come back until today and that is the first time, I've seen her smile since he left. They'll be married soon and I won't be wanted around here anymore. I have no family anymore. I'm alone again. I guess I shouldn't have gotten so attached to Sunny. Everything turns bad in my life. Everyone leaves me or makes me leave.'
Buck found himself in front of the saloon and went inside. He ordered a bottle of whiskey and went to sit at a table in a dark corner. Buck was half way through the bottle when a saloon girl came up to him and asked him if he wanted some alone time with her. Buck told her no and drank the rest of the bottle. He then ordered another one. By the time nightfall came he was on his third bottle. Over the years that Buck had been a drunken mess his body had learned to take a lot of alcohol in a short time and not pass out. Buck decided after the third bottle he was going to go to Louise's house and make her understand that he loved her and wanted to be with her.
Buck arrived at Louise's at about nine o'clock in the evening. Louise was ready for bed when she heard a horse approaching. She looked out the window. She saw it was Buck and thought how much she missed him. She had never stopped loving him after she found out she was pregnant again. She pulled away so he wouldn't know she was pregnant and get too stressed and start drinking again. She was so glad he was there. Maybe now was the time to tell him that she was having his baby and how much she loved him.
Buck knocked on the door loudly. Louise opened it and noticed something was different about Buck. He looked like he was drunk. Buck leaned down and gave her a kiss. That's when Louise smelled and tasted the liquor. She pulled back quickly. Buck made his way into the house and tried to hug Louise.
"Buck what are you doing? You're drunk. Why did you drink again? You promised you wouldn't touch another drop," Louise said as she tried to get away from Buck.
"I love you Louise. I want to be with you again. Let me make love to you. I love you, my love. Come here. I'm the father of your little girl. You remember Sunny." Buck said his words slurred terribly.
Louise went over to the shot gun she had on the wall and took it down. She pointed it at Buck and he stopped in his tracks.
"Buck, I want you to go right now. I don't want to see you until you are completely sober. You will not see Sunny until you have your sobriety again. I do love you Buck, but I won't live with a drunk in my children’s lives. I'm not going to repeat my mother's mistakes by raising children with a drunk. You may start hitting us like my father did. NOW GET OUT OF HERE!" Louise yelled as Buck back out of the door and got back on his horse.
He said two things to Louise as he left. "I'll always love you Louise. Good-bye" Then he was gone.
Louise locked all the doors and windows and sat up in bed crying. 'What had made him drink again? He was doing so good. I did the right thing. I can't let my children grow up with a drunk as a father. Buck is a good man, but he has to kick this problem before I let him in our lives again.’ Louise rubbed her baby bump and felt the baby move for the first time. She got happy for a minute then realized that Buck should be here experiencing all the things that happen during pregnancy. He would miss it all again if he didn't stop drinking.
Buck knocked on the door loudly. Louise opened it and noticed something was different about Buck. He looked like he was drunk. Buck leaned down and gave her a kiss. That's when Louise smelled and tasted the liquor. She pulled back quickly. Buck made his way into the house and tried to hug Louise.
"Buck what are you doing? You're drunk. Why did you drink again? You promised you wouldn't touch another drop," Louise said as she tried to get away from Buck.
"I love you Louise. I want to be with you again. Let me make love to you. I love you, my love. Come here. I'm the father of your little girl. You remember Sunny." Buck said his words slurred terribly.
Louise went over to the shot gun she had on the wall and took it down. She pointed it at Buck and he stopped in his tracks.
"Buck, I want you to go right now. I don't want to see you until you are completely sober. You will not see Sunny until you have your sobriety again. I do love you Buck, but I won't live with a drunk in my children’s lives. I'm not going to repeat my mother's mistakes by raising children with a drunk. You may start hitting us like my father did. NOW GET OUT OF HERE!" Louise yelled as Buck back out of the door and got back on his horse.
He said two things to Louise as he left. "I'll always love you Louise. Good-bye" Then he was gone.
Louise locked all the doors and windows and sat up in bed crying. 'What had made him drink again? He was doing so good. I did the right thing. I can't let my children grow up with a drunk as a father. Buck is a good man, but he has to kick this problem before I let him in our lives again.’ Louise rubbed her baby bump and felt the baby move for the first time. She got happy for a minute then realized that Buck should be here experiencing all the things that happen during pregnancy. He would miss it all again if he didn't stop drinking.
Chapter Twenty
Buck made his way back to the saloon. He walked in and went up to the saloon girl that had offered her services earlier. Buck grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him. She didn't mind that but when Buck started kissing and groping her, she started to struggle. Buck pinned her against the bar and was pressing himself into her as he began to undo the buttons on her skimpy dress. The saloon was almost empty, but the barkeep and another man got Buck off the saloon girl and began to beat him. While all this was happening another saloon girl, ran to get Teaspoon. Teaspoon arrived and saw that the barkeep and another man were beating Buck senseless. Teaspoon took out his gun and shot it into the air. The two men stopped what they were doing and dropped Buck on the floor with a thud. When they, dropped him, Buck made a groaning noise.
Teaspoon had two of his deputies carry Buck over to the doc’s office to have him patched up. Then he questioned the saloon girl that Buck had accosted and the two men involved in beating Buck up. Teaspoon found out that Buck was severely drunk and was trying to get the saloon girl to have sex with him in the downstairs of the saloon. They told him Buck was kissing, groping and trying to undress her in the bar room. Teaspoon told the barkeep he would take care of it and make sure Buck didn't come in there again.
Teaspoon went to check on Buck who was still very drunk. The doc had patched Buck up the best he could and put him to bed to sleep off the liquor. Teaspoon was very unhappy with Buck. He knew that something had to have led him to drink again. He just wasn't sure what.
Teaspoon sat with Buck waiting for him to wake up so he could have a talk with him. Buck finally woke up calling for Louise.
"Louise! Louise! Where are you, Honey?!" Buck yelled and tried to sit up, but fell back down on the cot.
"Buck, Louise isn't here. You have a lot of explaining to do. Starting with why you got drunk in the first place. Also, why you accosted that saloon girl and nearly took her dress off at the bar. Louise will not be pleased to hear this. You promised her and Sunny that you would never drink again. So, what happened?"
"It was Jimmy. He was holding Sunny while she slept. Louise has been so distant lately and she's picked Jimmy over me. They both don't want me anymore. He saved Sunny's life and I wasn't there. Louise doesn't love me anymore, Teaspoon. She has Jimmy now. I can't live without my two girls. I need a drink. I need to get over to the saloon and get a bottle of whiskey and make the pain go away," Buck said as he tried to get up, but Teaspoon just held him down.
"Buck, you still haven't explained why you accosted that saloon girl. She said earlier in the night you turned her down for a romp upstairs in the saloon. Why all of a sudden did you practically undress her at the bar? You really scared her. And you're not going to the saloon ever again. You're not welcome there and they won't serve you even if you get in there. Now tell me the truth, Son," Teaspoon told Buck getting aggravated at the man he considered his son.
"I did that? I don't remember the saloon girl. I do remember Louise in her night gown pulling a shotgun on me while I chased her around her kitchen. She made me leave. I guess Jimmy was supposed to be there soon. They probably laughed at me and made love in the very bed Louise and I made love in many times. Jimmy has my woman and my little girl. I want them back."
"Buck, Jimmy said when he was chasing after Sunny all he could make out of her screams was Daddy. After you left Louise's Sunny woke up and was asking for you until Jimmy left after supper. I assume she didn't stop asking for you until she fell asleep tonight. She's got a stubborn streak like both her parents. Louise hasn't picked Jimmy over you. That girl has loved you since you worked for the express. She had your baby. Louise loves you, Buck. She may be angry with you right now, but she would never stop loving you just like you never stopped loving her when you were away. Get yourself together, Boy. You have a family to love and take care of. You can't start drinking now. You'll ruin everything. "Now I want you to sleep off the rest of the drink here at Docs and I'll see you in the morning and we'll talk about mending fences with Louise. Okay? Everything will be alright, Buck. I know it will."
"Okay, Teaspoon. I'll see you in the morning," Buck said just placating his surrogate father. He needed a drink.
Teaspoon had two of his deputies carry Buck over to the doc’s office to have him patched up. Then he questioned the saloon girl that Buck had accosted and the two men involved in beating Buck up. Teaspoon found out that Buck was severely drunk and was trying to get the saloon girl to have sex with him in the downstairs of the saloon. They told him Buck was kissing, groping and trying to undress her in the bar room. Teaspoon told the barkeep he would take care of it and make sure Buck didn't come in there again.
Teaspoon went to check on Buck who was still very drunk. The doc had patched Buck up the best he could and put him to bed to sleep off the liquor. Teaspoon was very unhappy with Buck. He knew that something had to have led him to drink again. He just wasn't sure what.
Teaspoon sat with Buck waiting for him to wake up so he could have a talk with him. Buck finally woke up calling for Louise.
"Louise! Louise! Where are you, Honey?!" Buck yelled and tried to sit up, but fell back down on the cot.
"Buck, Louise isn't here. You have a lot of explaining to do. Starting with why you got drunk in the first place. Also, why you accosted that saloon girl and nearly took her dress off at the bar. Louise will not be pleased to hear this. You promised her and Sunny that you would never drink again. So, what happened?"
"It was Jimmy. He was holding Sunny while she slept. Louise has been so distant lately and she's picked Jimmy over me. They both don't want me anymore. He saved Sunny's life and I wasn't there. Louise doesn't love me anymore, Teaspoon. She has Jimmy now. I can't live without my two girls. I need a drink. I need to get over to the saloon and get a bottle of whiskey and make the pain go away," Buck said as he tried to get up, but Teaspoon just held him down.
"Buck, you still haven't explained why you accosted that saloon girl. She said earlier in the night you turned her down for a romp upstairs in the saloon. Why all of a sudden did you practically undress her at the bar? You really scared her. And you're not going to the saloon ever again. You're not welcome there and they won't serve you even if you get in there. Now tell me the truth, Son," Teaspoon told Buck getting aggravated at the man he considered his son.
"I did that? I don't remember the saloon girl. I do remember Louise in her night gown pulling a shotgun on me while I chased her around her kitchen. She made me leave. I guess Jimmy was supposed to be there soon. They probably laughed at me and made love in the very bed Louise and I made love in many times. Jimmy has my woman and my little girl. I want them back."
"Buck, Jimmy said when he was chasing after Sunny all he could make out of her screams was Daddy. After you left Louise's Sunny woke up and was asking for you until Jimmy left after supper. I assume she didn't stop asking for you until she fell asleep tonight. She's got a stubborn streak like both her parents. Louise hasn't picked Jimmy over you. That girl has loved you since you worked for the express. She had your baby. Louise loves you, Buck. She may be angry with you right now, but she would never stop loving you just like you never stopped loving her when you were away. Get yourself together, Boy. You have a family to love and take care of. You can't start drinking now. You'll ruin everything. "Now I want you to sleep off the rest of the drink here at Docs and I'll see you in the morning and we'll talk about mending fences with Louise. Okay? Everything will be alright, Buck. I know it will."
"Okay, Teaspoon. I'll see you in the morning," Buck said just placating his surrogate father. He needed a drink.
Buck finally fell asleep and had dreams of Louise and Jimmy being together in bed as they laughed about Buck and his stupidity. He awoke with a jerk when he heard Louise call out Jimmy's name in ecstasy. Buck was in a cold sweat and his breathing was erratic. He had to rid that dream from his head. He knew he couldn't go into the saloon so he had to find a way to get a couple bottles of whiskey.
Buck got up and put his clothes and boots on. He then left the docs as quietly as he could and made his way to the alley behind the saloon where the homeless drunks spent most of their time.
Buck approached two of the drunks and told them if they each got him a bottle of whiskey, he would give them each a dollar and money to pay for the whiskey. The drunks both agreed and walked into the bar and purchased a bottle of whiskey each. They went back into the alley and gave Buck the bottles. He then gave them both their dollars and started down the street to the old swimming hole the Pony Express used to use.
Buck opened the first bottle when he was off the main road. He took swig after swig until it was dribbling down the front of his shirt. Buck was staggering as he saw the swimming hole. He tried to sit down next to it but fell down instead. Buck had finished the first bottle and started on the second one. Soon Buck was extremely drunk.
He got up and decided he was going to give Louise a piece of his mind. Louise's house wasn't far from the swimming hole. Buck made his way there and saw Louise hanging out the laundry to dry. He dropped the empty whiskey bottle with a thud on the ground. Louise turned around startled by Buck. She could tell that he was drunk again. She didn't have the shotgun outside it was in the house on the wall.
"Buck, what are you doing here? I told you to stay away until you were sober. I won't have Sunny see you like this. Please leave, Buck. I don't want you here," Louise said on the verge of tears.
"What? I'm not good enough for you anymore. Jimmy's a better lover than me. I can show you that I'm a better lover than Jimmy any day," Buck slurring his words as he tried to hug Louise. He got his arms around her but she pushed him away.
"No, Buck, I won't have this conversation with you. You're drunk and you don't know what you're saying. I never slept with Jimmy. Right now, I'm not sure why, but I love you and only you."
"You're a stinkin' liar. You whored yourself out to three of the boys including me and you got pregnant by me. Jimmy ought to give you at least a couple more bastards. I don't think he'll want you much anymore. You're getting fat. You’re a fat whore who has a half-breed’s bastard. I don't think I want to be with you anymore. The whores at the saloon have better bodies than you and they put out when I say so. You go whore yourself out to a few more men and see how many bastard babies you can have," Buck said angrily.
"I can't believe you said that about Sunny! Say all you want about me, but you will not call our daughter a bastard! GET OUT OF HERE, BUCK NOW! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN UNTIL YOU ARE SOBER AND THEN YOU CAN APOLOGIZE TO ME AND OUR DAUGHTER! GO! JUST GO!" Louise yelled at Buck then burst into tears and ran into the house bolting the door behind her.
Louise ran into her bedroom and fell onto the bed. "He called our little girl a bastard and me a whore. Why is he doing this? I thought he loved Sunny and me. I wish he would get sober and be the man that I love again.' Louise thought to herself as she cried.
Buck staggered up to the door and started banging on it. "Louise! Let me in. I'm sorry. I never should have called our baby girl a bastard. You were and will never be a whore. Please, Louise I love you so much. Please, Louise let me in. I need to hold you. LOOOUUUIIISSSEE!" Buck screamed and began to cry. He fell to his knees but continued to bang on the door. That's where Teaspoon and Jimmy found him an hour later. They had brought his horse and his saddle bags were full as were Teaspoons. It looked like Teaspoon and Buck were going somewhere that was a long way off.
Buck had passed out at Louise's door. Jimmy and Teaspoon lifted Buck off Louise's porch and got him on his horse. They then tied his hands to the pommel of the saddle. They made sure he wouldn't fall off and Teaspoon mounted his horse. Jimmy went to the door and knocked calling to Louise saying it was safe to come out.
Louise came out and saw Jimmy and hugged him. Jimmy felt Louise's baby belly and looked at her thinking Either she's pregnant or she's getting fat'. He thought it was the former. Buck would have a big surprise when he got back.
Teaspoon told Louise that he was bringing him to a secluded cabin far from any civilization. He told her he wouldn't bring him back until he was straightened out and sober. Louise thanked Teaspoon. She kissed her hand and reached up putting her hand on Buck's cheek letting him feel her love. She said to him that she and Sunny would be waiting with a surprise when he got back and that she loved him. Louise stepped back from the horse and let Teaspoon lead Buck horse away from her home.
Jimmy took Louise in his arms as she cried. "It will be alright Lou. He's a strong, willed man. If anyone can beat this it's Buck. He'll come back and you'll tell him about the baby," Jimmy said as he smiled down at her.
"How did you know? Only the doctor and Rachel know about the baby. I don't think I show that much," Louise said touching her enlarged abdomen.
"When you hugged me, I felt the bump. I figured either you were pregnant or getting fat. I went with pregnant. When is the baby due Louise?"
"In February I want Buck to be there when the baby is born so much. I want him to be one of the first people to hold his daughter."
"I think Buck will be back in time for the birth. Buck will love having another child to love and care for. He missed all that with Sunny. How do you know it's a girl?"
"A mother knows these things. I'm feeling all the same things I did with Sunny. Right down to the way I'm carrying the baby. I really think it's a girl. I even have a name for her, but I'm not telling until she's born and Buck will be the first one to know."
"I want to be an uncle to Sunny and the new baby if you'll let me. I don't know if Buck will like it, but I fell in love with that little girl the moment I saw her in the Fourth of July parade. She's just so happy and sweet. Her name fits her disposition."
"Oh, you haven't seen her when she doesn't get her way. Poor Buck got himself and Sunny soaked in the mudroom his first day with her because she was creative with the pump and basin. Buck had to strip down and wear a quilt around his waist while his clothes dried. Then Sunny put mashed potatoes in his hair and bathed him in carrots and milk. He needed a bath after that. Let's just say we had a special night him and me after Sunny went to bed."
"We were together as a couple after that. Buck said he wanted to marry me the first day he was back. He didn't even hesitate when he found out about Sunny. He's so good with her. She loves her daddy and her daddy loves her. I think Buck fell in love with her the first time he saw her too."
"She looks just like him. She even starting to do that eyebrow raising thing that Buck does so well."
"Oh, Jimmy, I want my Buck back. I want the one that doesn't drink and loves Sunny and me more than anything. "Do you want to stay for lunch? The Taylors will be back with Sunny any minute now. I'll have to tell them what happened with Buck and see if he still has a job when he comes back."
"Your cooking has improved so much how could, I pass up a lunch invitation. I also want to see that little one of yours. She asked who I was yesterday. I told her I was her Uncle Jimmy. She gave me a kiss and said I wove you Uncwle Jwimmy. Then she fell asleep in my arms. That little girl is a charmer. She's got me wrapped around her little finger I'll tell you that," Jimmy said to Louise as they walked in the house.
Buck got up and put his clothes and boots on. He then left the docs as quietly as he could and made his way to the alley behind the saloon where the homeless drunks spent most of their time.
Buck approached two of the drunks and told them if they each got him a bottle of whiskey, he would give them each a dollar and money to pay for the whiskey. The drunks both agreed and walked into the bar and purchased a bottle of whiskey each. They went back into the alley and gave Buck the bottles. He then gave them both their dollars and started down the street to the old swimming hole the Pony Express used to use.
Buck opened the first bottle when he was off the main road. He took swig after swig until it was dribbling down the front of his shirt. Buck was staggering as he saw the swimming hole. He tried to sit down next to it but fell down instead. Buck had finished the first bottle and started on the second one. Soon Buck was extremely drunk.
He got up and decided he was going to give Louise a piece of his mind. Louise's house wasn't far from the swimming hole. Buck made his way there and saw Louise hanging out the laundry to dry. He dropped the empty whiskey bottle with a thud on the ground. Louise turned around startled by Buck. She could tell that he was drunk again. She didn't have the shotgun outside it was in the house on the wall.
"Buck, what are you doing here? I told you to stay away until you were sober. I won't have Sunny see you like this. Please leave, Buck. I don't want you here," Louise said on the verge of tears.
"What? I'm not good enough for you anymore. Jimmy's a better lover than me. I can show you that I'm a better lover than Jimmy any day," Buck slurring his words as he tried to hug Louise. He got his arms around her but she pushed him away.
"No, Buck, I won't have this conversation with you. You're drunk and you don't know what you're saying. I never slept with Jimmy. Right now, I'm not sure why, but I love you and only you."
"You're a stinkin' liar. You whored yourself out to three of the boys including me and you got pregnant by me. Jimmy ought to give you at least a couple more bastards. I don't think he'll want you much anymore. You're getting fat. You’re a fat whore who has a half-breed’s bastard. I don't think I want to be with you anymore. The whores at the saloon have better bodies than you and they put out when I say so. You go whore yourself out to a few more men and see how many bastard babies you can have," Buck said angrily.
"I can't believe you said that about Sunny! Say all you want about me, but you will not call our daughter a bastard! GET OUT OF HERE, BUCK NOW! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN UNTIL YOU ARE SOBER AND THEN YOU CAN APOLOGIZE TO ME AND OUR DAUGHTER! GO! JUST GO!" Louise yelled at Buck then burst into tears and ran into the house bolting the door behind her.
Louise ran into her bedroom and fell onto the bed. "He called our little girl a bastard and me a whore. Why is he doing this? I thought he loved Sunny and me. I wish he would get sober and be the man that I love again.' Louise thought to herself as she cried.
Buck staggered up to the door and started banging on it. "Louise! Let me in. I'm sorry. I never should have called our baby girl a bastard. You were and will never be a whore. Please, Louise I love you so much. Please, Louise let me in. I need to hold you. LOOOUUUIIISSSEE!" Buck screamed and began to cry. He fell to his knees but continued to bang on the door. That's where Teaspoon and Jimmy found him an hour later. They had brought his horse and his saddle bags were full as were Teaspoons. It looked like Teaspoon and Buck were going somewhere that was a long way off.
Buck had passed out at Louise's door. Jimmy and Teaspoon lifted Buck off Louise's porch and got him on his horse. They then tied his hands to the pommel of the saddle. They made sure he wouldn't fall off and Teaspoon mounted his horse. Jimmy went to the door and knocked calling to Louise saying it was safe to come out.
Louise came out and saw Jimmy and hugged him. Jimmy felt Louise's baby belly and looked at her thinking Either she's pregnant or she's getting fat'. He thought it was the former. Buck would have a big surprise when he got back.
Teaspoon told Louise that he was bringing him to a secluded cabin far from any civilization. He told her he wouldn't bring him back until he was straightened out and sober. Louise thanked Teaspoon. She kissed her hand and reached up putting her hand on Buck's cheek letting him feel her love. She said to him that she and Sunny would be waiting with a surprise when he got back and that she loved him. Louise stepped back from the horse and let Teaspoon lead Buck horse away from her home.
Jimmy took Louise in his arms as she cried. "It will be alright Lou. He's a strong, willed man. If anyone can beat this it's Buck. He'll come back and you'll tell him about the baby," Jimmy said as he smiled down at her.
"How did you know? Only the doctor and Rachel know about the baby. I don't think I show that much," Louise said touching her enlarged abdomen.
"When you hugged me, I felt the bump. I figured either you were pregnant or getting fat. I went with pregnant. When is the baby due Louise?"
"In February I want Buck to be there when the baby is born so much. I want him to be one of the first people to hold his daughter."
"I think Buck will be back in time for the birth. Buck will love having another child to love and care for. He missed all that with Sunny. How do you know it's a girl?"
"A mother knows these things. I'm feeling all the same things I did with Sunny. Right down to the way I'm carrying the baby. I really think it's a girl. I even have a name for her, but I'm not telling until she's born and Buck will be the first one to know."
"I want to be an uncle to Sunny and the new baby if you'll let me. I don't know if Buck will like it, but I fell in love with that little girl the moment I saw her in the Fourth of July parade. She's just so happy and sweet. Her name fits her disposition."
"Oh, you haven't seen her when she doesn't get her way. Poor Buck got himself and Sunny soaked in the mudroom his first day with her because she was creative with the pump and basin. Buck had to strip down and wear a quilt around his waist while his clothes dried. Then Sunny put mashed potatoes in his hair and bathed him in carrots and milk. He needed a bath after that. Let's just say we had a special night him and me after Sunny went to bed."
"We were together as a couple after that. Buck said he wanted to marry me the first day he was back. He didn't even hesitate when he found out about Sunny. He's so good with her. She loves her daddy and her daddy loves her. I think Buck fell in love with her the first time he saw her too."
"She looks just like him. She even starting to do that eyebrow raising thing that Buck does so well."
"Oh, Jimmy, I want my Buck back. I want the one that doesn't drink and loves Sunny and me more than anything. "Do you want to stay for lunch? The Taylors will be back with Sunny any minute now. I'll have to tell them what happened with Buck and see if he still has a job when he comes back."
"Your cooking has improved so much how could, I pass up a lunch invitation. I also want to see that little one of yours. She asked who I was yesterday. I told her I was her Uncle Jimmy. She gave me a kiss and said I wove you Uncwle Jwimmy. Then she fell asleep in my arms. That little girl is a charmer. She's got me wrapped around her little finger I'll tell you that," Jimmy said to Louise as they walked in the house.
Chapter Twenty
Teaspoon and Buck made their way into the wilderness. They were about twenty miles from Rock Creek when Buck began to wake up. The first thing he said was, "Louise." in a low moan. Then he began to wake up enough that he knew he was on his horse. He tried to move his hands and couldn't. That's when Buck sat up and felt a wave of nausea go through him right before he vomited off to the side trying not to get it on Warrior. When he had purged his stomach of everything, he had in it, Buck looked around and saw that he wasn't in Rock Creek. He then saw Teaspoon on a horse ahead of him.
Teaspoon turned around in the saddle and said, "You ready to go, Son? We got a ways to go. You want some water? Your mouth must be pretty nasty right now."
"Where are we? Where's Louise? Why am I tied to my saddle? Where are we going, Teaspoon? I need to talk to Louise. I think I said some things I need to apologize for. Take me back!" Buck asked in a rush of words. He was beginning to feel like a caged animal.
"I can't tell you where we are or where we're going. That needs to remain a secret until we get you sober and back to your old self. You're tied to your saddle so you can't make a run for it. Louise is fine. She said good bye to you when we left. For some reason only she knows she still loves you and wants you to come home to her and Sunny. She was shaken up when she came out of her house when we had you on your horse. What did you say to her, Buck? It had to be bad because her eyes were all red and puffy and she was shaking a little. Do you remember, Son?" Teaspoon said as he helped Buck take a sip of water.
"I remember things now. I said some very hurtful things to her. I was mad because I thought she had chosen Jimmy over me. I accused her of sleeping with him. I called her a whore with a half-breed’s bastard. I can't believe I did something so awful as calling my little girl a bastard and the only woman I have ever loved a whore. I told her she could whore herself out to some more men and have some more bastards. I called her fat and said that I didn't want her anymore. I said the saloon girls had better bodies than her and would put out when I say. Why did I say such things to her? I love her more than life itself and I said such hateful things to her. I need to see her, Teaspoon. Please bring me back. Please let me apologize to her. She has to know I love her. Please Teaspoon. Please," Buck said as he began to sob uncontrollably.
"Buck, listen to me and listen good. Louise knows you love her. She wasn't angry when we left. She even gave you a small kiss on the cheek and said she loved you and that she and Sunny would be waiting with a surprise when you came back. She wants the real you back, Son. Not the drunken shell of the man you were for so many years. That's the reason for our little trip. We have some ground to cover before we get to where we're going. We can talk more when we get there," Teaspoon said to Buck as he moved their horses along at a faster clip.
Teaspoon turned around in the saddle and said, "You ready to go, Son? We got a ways to go. You want some water? Your mouth must be pretty nasty right now."
"Where are we? Where's Louise? Why am I tied to my saddle? Where are we going, Teaspoon? I need to talk to Louise. I think I said some things I need to apologize for. Take me back!" Buck asked in a rush of words. He was beginning to feel like a caged animal.
"I can't tell you where we are or where we're going. That needs to remain a secret until we get you sober and back to your old self. You're tied to your saddle so you can't make a run for it. Louise is fine. She said good bye to you when we left. For some reason only she knows she still loves you and wants you to come home to her and Sunny. She was shaken up when she came out of her house when we had you on your horse. What did you say to her, Buck? It had to be bad because her eyes were all red and puffy and she was shaking a little. Do you remember, Son?" Teaspoon said as he helped Buck take a sip of water.
"I remember things now. I said some very hurtful things to her. I was mad because I thought she had chosen Jimmy over me. I accused her of sleeping with him. I called her a whore with a half-breed’s bastard. I can't believe I did something so awful as calling my little girl a bastard and the only woman I have ever loved a whore. I told her she could whore herself out to some more men and have some more bastards. I called her fat and said that I didn't want her anymore. I said the saloon girls had better bodies than her and would put out when I say. Why did I say such things to her? I love her more than life itself and I said such hateful things to her. I need to see her, Teaspoon. Please bring me back. Please let me apologize to her. She has to know I love her. Please Teaspoon. Please," Buck said as he began to sob uncontrollably.
"Buck, listen to me and listen good. Louise knows you love her. She wasn't angry when we left. She even gave you a small kiss on the cheek and said she loved you and that she and Sunny would be waiting with a surprise when you came back. She wants the real you back, Son. Not the drunken shell of the man you were for so many years. That's the reason for our little trip. We have some ground to cover before we get to where we're going. We can talk more when we get there," Teaspoon said to Buck as he moved their horses along at a faster clip.
Teaspoon and Buck finally stopped at a small cabin in the middle of nowhere. Buck could tell that they were west of Rock Creek but didn't know how far they had come and nothing around him looked familiar. He knew he could track the path the horses made back to Rock Creek, but he didn't know how to get out from Teaspoon's watchful eye.
Teaspoon took the supplies into the cabin then got Buck off the horse and walked him into the cabin. It had two beds, a pump with a sink, a table and two chairs, a cook stove and some cabinets. Teaspoon tied Buck up so he couldn't get away and went to take care of the horses. Buck struggled against the ropes but they were tied too tight. Buck let out a strangled moan. He needed a drink and he didn't know if he could make it without one. He wanted to be a family with Louise and Sunny but didn't think he could stop drinking even for them. He was at a loss as to what to do.
"Teaspoon! Teaspoon! I need a drink! Please Teaspoon! I can't go without a drink I'm starting to feel jumpy Teaspoon! Teeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaassssspppppppoooooooooonnnn!" Buck yelled angrily feeling like his body was vibrating.
"Buck you can ask me for a drink all you want but I'm not giving you one because I don't have any booze. We are going to be here until you beat this thing if it takes us until Sunny is a bride to be and you have to be sober to be able to walk her down the aisle. Is that understood?" Teaspoon said as he came in the door with the last of the supplies. Buck just grumbled about being kept captive by a crazy old coot.
"Buck, I hate to do this, but I have to lock us in. There's a very strong lock on the door. There's a key which I have hidden where you won't find it. If you have to use the outhouse, I will take you there with my gun trained on you. I can't have you taking off in the shape you're going to be in. I'm afraid I'm going to have to take your clothes except for your long johns and socks. I would strip you clean and I may have to if worse comes to worse, but I have to leave you some semblance of dignity. Don't push me or I will take all your clothes. Okay, Son, take off everything, but your long johns and socks or I'll wrestle them off of you. I know I'll win with you in your weakened state. Go on, Son," Teaspoon said with a frown on his face. He didn't like doing this to Buck, but he knew he had to help him get his sobriety again.
"GO TO HELL OLD MAN! I'M NOT TAKING OFF A STITCH OF CLOTHING! I WILL FIND THAT KEY AND GET OUT OF HERE OR DIE TRYING! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT. I'M NOT YOUR PRISONER! I'M NOT FOLLOWING YOUR RULES!" Buck growled at Teaspoon with the look of the devil in him.
"You will not talk to me like that. I'm only doing this for your own good and the good of Louise and Sunny. You remember who they are. They're your family if you don't remember. That little girl thinks you hung the moon and stars and are the best daddy in the world. Louise loves you with every part of her being. She's waited a long time for you to come back and to be a family. She told me you proposed to her the day you came back. You said you hadn't been with another woman since you and Louise conceived Sunny. That takes discipline. If when you were in saloons while you were drinking you never touched another woman even one who was parading around asking you to go to bed with her you had to be strong not to go with her. Or was it a lie to Louise telling her you never went with another woman while you were gone. Because you had a whole lot of inner strength to keep away from women throwing themselves at you that will help you now with getting you sober.
"I didn't lie to Louise. I only ever wanted her. I wanted her for a long time and now you're keeping us apart. I will find a way out of here old man and when I do, I'm taking Louise and Sunny far away where you won't be able to see them just like you're doing to me now. You wouldn't be able to play Gumpa then. There would be just you and Rachel. Jimmy would probably leave too. You would only have a wife and no children or grandchildren. I know what it's like to be alone even with people around. You would wither and die without Sunny. Louise would never leave me. Even with me drinking she still loves me. I'm sure I can convince her I'm sober and move them away with me. She would have no place to go when I started drinking again. It's not like I'm a mean drunk. The first time we were together I was drunk and we made love it wasn’t just meaningless sex. I can work while I drink. I can love Louise and Sunny while I drink. I can do anything and be anything when I drink. If Louise doesn't want to share my bed after she finds out I'm drinking again. I'll get a regular girl at the saloon to meet my carnal desires. Maybe I'll make the saloon girl my mistress. Put her up in a house like big shot men who have money do. I could go to her every night and then come home and be the dotting husband and father. If the girl gets pregnant, I can force Louise to raise it as her own. That's what she wanted to do to Kid with my baby. I bet she won't want me to leave her for my mistress. Maybe I won't even marry Louise. Maybe I'll keep her as my mistress and have more bastard children with her. She doesn't seem to mind sleeping with me for months without even a promise of a ring. Maybe Louise just wants the sex and not a husband. The sex we have is incredible. I doubt she'd want to give it up. I'm the only man she wan...," Buck rambled angrily on until he passed out again.
Teaspoon took this opportunity to take Buck clothes and boots off leaving his long johns and socks on. He then dragged him to the bed and got him in it and started a pot of coffee and some stew. He knew it was going to be many tough days and nights for them, but especially for Buck. He had decided before they left that he would have to be hard on Buck but gentle too because he was going to be going through a time that all his demons would come out and haunt him. Teaspoon wasn't sure Buck would come out the other end in the condition that Louise and Sunny needed him to be in, but he would go to hell and back for this boy. He'd do it for any of his boys or girl. Teaspoon settled into his bed and waited for Buck to wake up. He knew it wouldn't be pretty, but he knew going through withdrawal was not a pleasant thing. Buck was about to enter hell and Teaspoon hoped Buck could make it out again.
Teaspoon took the supplies into the cabin then got Buck off the horse and walked him into the cabin. It had two beds, a pump with a sink, a table and two chairs, a cook stove and some cabinets. Teaspoon tied Buck up so he couldn't get away and went to take care of the horses. Buck struggled against the ropes but they were tied too tight. Buck let out a strangled moan. He needed a drink and he didn't know if he could make it without one. He wanted to be a family with Louise and Sunny but didn't think he could stop drinking even for them. He was at a loss as to what to do.
"Teaspoon! Teaspoon! I need a drink! Please Teaspoon! I can't go without a drink I'm starting to feel jumpy Teaspoon! Teeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaassssspppppppoooooooooonnnn!" Buck yelled angrily feeling like his body was vibrating.
"Buck you can ask me for a drink all you want but I'm not giving you one because I don't have any booze. We are going to be here until you beat this thing if it takes us until Sunny is a bride to be and you have to be sober to be able to walk her down the aisle. Is that understood?" Teaspoon said as he came in the door with the last of the supplies. Buck just grumbled about being kept captive by a crazy old coot.
"Buck, I hate to do this, but I have to lock us in. There's a very strong lock on the door. There's a key which I have hidden where you won't find it. If you have to use the outhouse, I will take you there with my gun trained on you. I can't have you taking off in the shape you're going to be in. I'm afraid I'm going to have to take your clothes except for your long johns and socks. I would strip you clean and I may have to if worse comes to worse, but I have to leave you some semblance of dignity. Don't push me or I will take all your clothes. Okay, Son, take off everything, but your long johns and socks or I'll wrestle them off of you. I know I'll win with you in your weakened state. Go on, Son," Teaspoon said with a frown on his face. He didn't like doing this to Buck, but he knew he had to help him get his sobriety again.
"GO TO HELL OLD MAN! I'M NOT TAKING OFF A STITCH OF CLOTHING! I WILL FIND THAT KEY AND GET OUT OF HERE OR DIE TRYING! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT. I'M NOT YOUR PRISONER! I'M NOT FOLLOWING YOUR RULES!" Buck growled at Teaspoon with the look of the devil in him.
"You will not talk to me like that. I'm only doing this for your own good and the good of Louise and Sunny. You remember who they are. They're your family if you don't remember. That little girl thinks you hung the moon and stars and are the best daddy in the world. Louise loves you with every part of her being. She's waited a long time for you to come back and to be a family. She told me you proposed to her the day you came back. You said you hadn't been with another woman since you and Louise conceived Sunny. That takes discipline. If when you were in saloons while you were drinking you never touched another woman even one who was parading around asking you to go to bed with her you had to be strong not to go with her. Or was it a lie to Louise telling her you never went with another woman while you were gone. Because you had a whole lot of inner strength to keep away from women throwing themselves at you that will help you now with getting you sober.
"I didn't lie to Louise. I only ever wanted her. I wanted her for a long time and now you're keeping us apart. I will find a way out of here old man and when I do, I'm taking Louise and Sunny far away where you won't be able to see them just like you're doing to me now. You wouldn't be able to play Gumpa then. There would be just you and Rachel. Jimmy would probably leave too. You would only have a wife and no children or grandchildren. I know what it's like to be alone even with people around. You would wither and die without Sunny. Louise would never leave me. Even with me drinking she still loves me. I'm sure I can convince her I'm sober and move them away with me. She would have no place to go when I started drinking again. It's not like I'm a mean drunk. The first time we were together I was drunk and we made love it wasn’t just meaningless sex. I can work while I drink. I can love Louise and Sunny while I drink. I can do anything and be anything when I drink. If Louise doesn't want to share my bed after she finds out I'm drinking again. I'll get a regular girl at the saloon to meet my carnal desires. Maybe I'll make the saloon girl my mistress. Put her up in a house like big shot men who have money do. I could go to her every night and then come home and be the dotting husband and father. If the girl gets pregnant, I can force Louise to raise it as her own. That's what she wanted to do to Kid with my baby. I bet she won't want me to leave her for my mistress. Maybe I won't even marry Louise. Maybe I'll keep her as my mistress and have more bastard children with her. She doesn't seem to mind sleeping with me for months without even a promise of a ring. Maybe Louise just wants the sex and not a husband. The sex we have is incredible. I doubt she'd want to give it up. I'm the only man she wan...," Buck rambled angrily on until he passed out again.
Teaspoon took this opportunity to take Buck clothes and boots off leaving his long johns and socks on. He then dragged him to the bed and got him in it and started a pot of coffee and some stew. He knew it was going to be many tough days and nights for them, but especially for Buck. He had decided before they left that he would have to be hard on Buck but gentle too because he was going to be going through a time that all his demons would come out and haunt him. Teaspoon wasn't sure Buck would come out the other end in the condition that Louise and Sunny needed him to be in, but he would go to hell and back for this boy. He'd do it for any of his boys or girl. Teaspoon settled into his bed and waited for Buck to wake up. He knew it wouldn't be pretty, but he knew going through withdrawal was not a pleasant thing. Buck was about to enter hell and Teaspoon hoped Buck could make it out again.
Teaspoon had fallen asleep. He was awoken by the sound of someone vomiting violently. He opened his eyes to see Buck standing over the sink shaking uncontrollably while everything he'd had in his stomach was purged from him.
Teaspoon jumped up and was at Buck side in seconds. He held Buck's hair back while he tried to hold him up. Buck was shaking terribly and now that his stomach was empty, he was dry heaving. Buck finally finished and Teaspoon brought him over to the bed and laid Buck down on the mattress. Buck's eyes were wide with fright because he was shaking so much. He had been through withdrawal before but it wasn't this bad because he had cut down his drinking slowly.
Buck's teeth were chattering so much he couldn't speak. To Teaspoon he looked like he was a little boy scared out of his mind. Teaspoon covered Buck with all the blankets in the cabin. He sat beside him running his hands over his shoulders and arms trying to make him feel warm. Teaspoon knew he felt like he was freezing from the shakes.
Buck looked up at Teaspoon and managed to say, "A drink. Please, Teaspoon one drink." Buck had a desperate look in his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Son you have to get it out of your system. All we can do is, wait. I’ll be here through the whole thing Buck. You won’t be alone. Just think of your little girl and Louise. Think of the happy times you have had and all the ones that are to come.”
‘Teaspoon I’m scared. I feel like I’m going to jump out of my skin. Please help me. Get me a drink. I just need one more and I won’t drink again. I promise,” Buck said with anxiety lacing his words.
“Buck, I can’t get you a drink. You have to fight this. It’s going to get worse before it gets better. Now try to get some sleep. You’re going to need it. I’ll sit with you until you fall asleep. I’ll be here when you wake up. Okay, Buck? Do you need anything other than booze before I turn down the lamp?
“I could use a little water. Can I have a few sips? Teaspoon I’m sorry I yelled at you,” Buck said as Teaspoon went to get a cup of water.
“Here, Son have a little of this water. I know it was the drink talking not you. Don’t even give it another thought. I don’t know what Louise, Rachel and I, did without you before you came back to our family? You are a wonderful father, Buck. You’ll be a good husband too. You just have to get this monkey off your back. I know you can do it, Son. If you could fight off that evil spirit that possessed Camille you can do anything. Now get some sleep,” Teaspoon said with tears in his eyes.
Teaspoon pulled the blankets up around Buck and turned down the lamp. He sat by Buck’s bed and asked God to help this man he considered his son. He prayed for a while for all his boys and girls and even asked Ike and Noah to watch over Buck in his time of need.
Teaspoon jumped up and was at Buck side in seconds. He held Buck's hair back while he tried to hold him up. Buck was shaking terribly and now that his stomach was empty, he was dry heaving. Buck finally finished and Teaspoon brought him over to the bed and laid Buck down on the mattress. Buck's eyes were wide with fright because he was shaking so much. He had been through withdrawal before but it wasn't this bad because he had cut down his drinking slowly.
Buck's teeth were chattering so much he couldn't speak. To Teaspoon he looked like he was a little boy scared out of his mind. Teaspoon covered Buck with all the blankets in the cabin. He sat beside him running his hands over his shoulders and arms trying to make him feel warm. Teaspoon knew he felt like he was freezing from the shakes.
Buck looked up at Teaspoon and managed to say, "A drink. Please, Teaspoon one drink." Buck had a desperate look in his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Son you have to get it out of your system. All we can do is, wait. I’ll be here through the whole thing Buck. You won’t be alone. Just think of your little girl and Louise. Think of the happy times you have had and all the ones that are to come.”
‘Teaspoon I’m scared. I feel like I’m going to jump out of my skin. Please help me. Get me a drink. I just need one more and I won’t drink again. I promise,” Buck said with anxiety lacing his words.
“Buck, I can’t get you a drink. You have to fight this. It’s going to get worse before it gets better. Now try to get some sleep. You’re going to need it. I’ll sit with you until you fall asleep. I’ll be here when you wake up. Okay, Buck? Do you need anything other than booze before I turn down the lamp?
“I could use a little water. Can I have a few sips? Teaspoon I’m sorry I yelled at you,” Buck said as Teaspoon went to get a cup of water.
“Here, Son have a little of this water. I know it was the drink talking not you. Don’t even give it another thought. I don’t know what Louise, Rachel and I, did without you before you came back to our family? You are a wonderful father, Buck. You’ll be a good husband too. You just have to get this monkey off your back. I know you can do it, Son. If you could fight off that evil spirit that possessed Camille you can do anything. Now get some sleep,” Teaspoon said with tears in his eyes.
Teaspoon pulled the blankets up around Buck and turned down the lamp. He sat by Buck’s bed and asked God to help this man he considered his son. He prayed for a while for all his boys and girls and even asked Ike and Noah to watch over Buck in his time of need.
Chapter Twenty Two
“Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaddddddyyyyyyyy help me! Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuccccckkkkk help us. There are rattlesnakes everywhere! Save us!’ Sunny and Louise called to Buck. Buck heard a new born baby cry, then the sound of the rattlers striking and the screams of his family as they lay dying.
Buck was fully awake and was seeing this as if he was there. He reached for his gun, but it wasn’t there. He reached for his knife, but came up empty. Buck let out a heart wrenching sob and then a blood curdling scream as he saw his family dying and he could do nothing to help.
Teaspoon had gone to feed the horses and had left Buck sleeping in the cabin. He had locked Buck in so he wouldn’t try to get away. Teaspoon heard the scream and came running to the cabin as he fumbled with the key to get it in the lock. He opened the door to see Buck kneeling on the ground moving his hands as if her were touching someone lovingly.
Teaspoon walked over to where Buck was kneeling. Buck looked up at Teaspoon with tears in his eyes and a crazed look in his face.
“They’re gone Teaspoon. The rattlesnakes got them. Sunny and Louise were attacked by hundreds of them. There was a newborn baby too. It’s dead too. My family’s gone. I couldn’t help them. I can’t find my gun or knife. Why couldn’t I help them?” Buck sobbed.
“Buck it wasn’t real. It was the drink. It’s making you see things that aren’t there. Sunny and Louise are fine. Why don’t you get back in bed and I’ll make you something to eat?” Teaspoon said as he helped Buck to the bed.
Teaspoon pulled back the blankets and Buck’s eyes got a wide and frightened look. He scrambled away from the bed and screamed. Teaspoon wondered what he saw. He was soon to find out.
“Teaspoon, there are bugs all over the bed! I can’t get in it. They’ll eat me alive!” Buck yelled running for the door that was left ajar. Teaspoon ran after Buck and tackled him to the ground. Buck was knocked unconscious. Teaspoon dragged him to the bed and hefted him into it. He hoped he would be out for at least a little while so he could stop seeing the awful things he was seeing for a while.
Buck was fully awake and was seeing this as if he was there. He reached for his gun, but it wasn’t there. He reached for his knife, but came up empty. Buck let out a heart wrenching sob and then a blood curdling scream as he saw his family dying and he could do nothing to help.
Teaspoon had gone to feed the horses and had left Buck sleeping in the cabin. He had locked Buck in so he wouldn’t try to get away. Teaspoon heard the scream and came running to the cabin as he fumbled with the key to get it in the lock. He opened the door to see Buck kneeling on the ground moving his hands as if her were touching someone lovingly.
Teaspoon walked over to where Buck was kneeling. Buck looked up at Teaspoon with tears in his eyes and a crazed look in his face.
“They’re gone Teaspoon. The rattlesnakes got them. Sunny and Louise were attacked by hundreds of them. There was a newborn baby too. It’s dead too. My family’s gone. I couldn’t help them. I can’t find my gun or knife. Why couldn’t I help them?” Buck sobbed.
“Buck it wasn’t real. It was the drink. It’s making you see things that aren’t there. Sunny and Louise are fine. Why don’t you get back in bed and I’ll make you something to eat?” Teaspoon said as he helped Buck to the bed.
Teaspoon pulled back the blankets and Buck’s eyes got a wide and frightened look. He scrambled away from the bed and screamed. Teaspoon wondered what he saw. He was soon to find out.
“Teaspoon, there are bugs all over the bed! I can’t get in it. They’ll eat me alive!” Buck yelled running for the door that was left ajar. Teaspoon ran after Buck and tackled him to the ground. Buck was knocked unconscious. Teaspoon dragged him to the bed and hefted him into it. He hoped he would be out for at least a little while so he could stop seeing the awful things he was seeing for a while.
Louise was tending to Lightning as Jimmy rode up when she ran to the bushes and vomited all of her breakfast. Jimmy ran to her and helped her stay on her feet as she, dry heaved into the bushes. When Louise was through Jimmy helped her into the house and sat her down while he got her a cup of water. Louise took it grateful that Jimmy was there, but wanting Buck there all the while.
“You alright, Lou this is morning sickness isn’t it? Did you get this sick with Sunny?” Jimmy asked Louise concerned for her and the baby.
“Yeah, I was this bad with Sunny, but I hid it better. I’m real worried about Buck, Jimmy. Sunny’s asked for him every day and night he’s been gone. She misses him so much and doesn’t understand why he isn’t here. I seen girls at Wicks go through what Buck is going through with Teaspoon at that cabin and it frightens me that he won’t be the same afterward. Those girls at Wicks went through their own kind of hell. A couple died and one killed herself. I don’t know what I’ll do if anything happens to Buck. How do I explain to a two, year old that her daddy is gone and won’t be coming back?” Louise said to Jimmy trying not to cry.
“Lou, you’re getting ahead of yourself. Buck’s in good hands with Teaspoon. He said he went through this with a couple of friends and they all got on the straight and narrow after that. Buck’s strong he’ll be fine. I’m sure that they’ll be home by the end of November at the latest. As for Sunny tell her he’s on a special trip with Gumpa and they’ll be home as soon as they can. He will come back to you, Louise. He wouldn’t let anything stop him from being Sunny and the new baby’s father. He’ll get through this and be home in no time,” Jimmy said as he gave Louise a hug.
“I hope you’re right, Jimmy. As for Sunny I’ll tell her what you said to tell her. She’ll still ask though. She has a stubborn streak like her father,” Louise said as she smiled sadly at Jimmy.
“Oh, she only got the stubborn streak from her father, huh? I think she got one from one other person the one that gave birth to her. God help us all when she gets older and starts getting her own mind. I hate to think what she’ll put you and Buck through when boys start showing interest in her,” Jimmy said with a mock serious look on his face.
Louise laughed and rolled her eyes. “I hate to think what the boys will go through with Buck sharpening his knife or cleaning his gun when a boy shows up. Then there’s Teaspoon who can be mighty intimidating. Plus, her uncle is none other than Wild Bill Hickok. It would have to be one very brave boy to even kiss her. She’s still little though and we have other milestones to get to before she’s allowed to be courted. I hope Buck and Teaspoon are back in time for her third birthday in November. She wants Buck to be there so badly. I’d hate to disappoint her.”
“They’ll be here. They wouldn’t miss, Sunny’s birthday for the world. Don’t worry Lou. Until then take care of your little ray of sunshine and the little one that’s on the way. The time will fly by. Trust me,” Jimmy said as he held Louise’s hand.
“You alright, Lou this is morning sickness isn’t it? Did you get this sick with Sunny?” Jimmy asked Louise concerned for her and the baby.
“Yeah, I was this bad with Sunny, but I hid it better. I’m real worried about Buck, Jimmy. Sunny’s asked for him every day and night he’s been gone. She misses him so much and doesn’t understand why he isn’t here. I seen girls at Wicks go through what Buck is going through with Teaspoon at that cabin and it frightens me that he won’t be the same afterward. Those girls at Wicks went through their own kind of hell. A couple died and one killed herself. I don’t know what I’ll do if anything happens to Buck. How do I explain to a two, year old that her daddy is gone and won’t be coming back?” Louise said to Jimmy trying not to cry.
“Lou, you’re getting ahead of yourself. Buck’s in good hands with Teaspoon. He said he went through this with a couple of friends and they all got on the straight and narrow after that. Buck’s strong he’ll be fine. I’m sure that they’ll be home by the end of November at the latest. As for Sunny tell her he’s on a special trip with Gumpa and they’ll be home as soon as they can. He will come back to you, Louise. He wouldn’t let anything stop him from being Sunny and the new baby’s father. He’ll get through this and be home in no time,” Jimmy said as he gave Louise a hug.
“I hope you’re right, Jimmy. As for Sunny I’ll tell her what you said to tell her. She’ll still ask though. She has a stubborn streak like her father,” Louise said as she smiled sadly at Jimmy.
“Oh, she only got the stubborn streak from her father, huh? I think she got one from one other person the one that gave birth to her. God help us all when she gets older and starts getting her own mind. I hate to think what she’ll put you and Buck through when boys start showing interest in her,” Jimmy said with a mock serious look on his face.
Louise laughed and rolled her eyes. “I hate to think what the boys will go through with Buck sharpening his knife or cleaning his gun when a boy shows up. Then there’s Teaspoon who can be mighty intimidating. Plus, her uncle is none other than Wild Bill Hickok. It would have to be one very brave boy to even kiss her. She’s still little though and we have other milestones to get to before she’s allowed to be courted. I hope Buck and Teaspoon are back in time for her third birthday in November. She wants Buck to be there so badly. I’d hate to disappoint her.”
“They’ll be here. They wouldn’t miss, Sunny’s birthday for the world. Don’t worry Lou. Until then take care of your little ray of sunshine and the little one that’s on the way. The time will fly by. Trust me,” Jimmy said as he held Louise’s hand.
Chapter Twenty Three
Buck had an extremely hard time getting the booze out of his system. He saw things that were unspeakable and would never talk about them again. Buck slowly began to feel like his old self before he started drinking. Teaspoon let him out of the cabin by himself now and Buck didn’t try to run away. Buck would go hunting and bring home a rabbit or a small deer for him and Teaspoon to have for their meals. Buck was anxious to get back to Louise and Sunny. He needed to apologize to Louise for what he said when he was drunk. He prayed to the gods every day that Louise would forgive him and let them be the family they were supposed to be.
One day Buck feeling the best he had in a long while and he decided to ask Teaspoon if they could head home.
“Teaspoon, I was wondering if maybe we could go back to Rock Creek now. I’m feeling a hundred percent better and haven’t had the urge to drink in a long while. I need to see Louise and Sunny. I need to set things right. I have to apologize to Louise and take whatever her decision is regarding her and me. I still want to propose. I don’t want to be without my family any longer. Do you think we can leave here and go home?” Buck said quickly hoping Teaspoon would agree with him.
“Son, I was just waiting for you to ask. I didn’t want to take you back home until you thought you were ready. I think you’re more than ready to go back. I just wanted you to say it. How about we leave at first light tomorrow I miss my wife and granddaughter. I also miss Louise, but not as much as you I suppose. I hope she welcomes you back with open arms. She’s one special lady. I can’t ever figure how I thought she was a boy. I must have been blind or I didn’t want to see because then that would open a whole other can of worms. How long did you know you loved Louise before you two had your special time together that made our little Sunny?” Teaspoon replied as he started to pack up his belongings.
“Great, I can’t wait to get back. I’m ready and surer than sure that I love my two girls more than anything including booze. Teaspoon if I ever go near a bottle of liquor again, I want you to lock me up for as long as it takes the urges to go away.” Buck said as he too began to pack up his things.
“To answer your question about when I knew I loved Louise. It was when I first found out that she was a girl. I had some sort of feeling something wasn’t right and thought Lou was awfully girly. I thought maybe she was a man that liked other men. I even caught myself watching her and thinking how pretty Lou was for a boy. Was I ever relieved when we found out after the shootout at Boggs compound that Lou was really; Louise, I think it really hit me when Emma had Louise’s coming out party and Louise came down the stairs wearing that pink dress, she looked so different and she was so beautiful. That was when I knew I was in love with her, but Jimmy and Kid were always fighting about her so I kept my love a secret. I never told anyone not even Ike. Then Ike died and I was angry at the world. When you sent us to Silver Lake, Louise was crying and saying how much she missed Ike because she thought of him like an older brother she could go and talk to when she had a problem. That was the first time since Ike died that I didn’t feel angry. I felt my love for Louise grow that night. I could have stopped what happened very easily, but I wanted to be with Louise so much that when she kissed me, I gave into my feelings. Then the next day I was unsure if Louise felt the same as I felt for her and didn’t think I could handle the rejection so I pretended I didn’t remember. When Louise didn’t say anything about it, I was kind of hurt that she thought it so easy to sleep with me. I thought I was a replacement for Kid. The urge to drink because Ike was gone was intensified by the fact that I couldn’t get up the courage to tell Louise I loved her. So, I left and went on a drinking binge for about a year. I got back on the wagon, but fell off a few times, but finally got back on and stayed sober. I went further west and got a job working breaking horses and then went and saw the Grand Canyon and the Pacific Ocean. Then I started going east again and decided to see if Louise was still around. I figured she was married to Kid and had a few kids. Boy was I surprised to find out we had a daughter and that Louise loved me just as much as I loved her. You know the rest,” Buck said to Teaspoon.
Buck and Teaspoon bedded down for the night looking forward to seeing their loved ones in a few days.
One day Buck feeling the best he had in a long while and he decided to ask Teaspoon if they could head home.
“Teaspoon, I was wondering if maybe we could go back to Rock Creek now. I’m feeling a hundred percent better and haven’t had the urge to drink in a long while. I need to see Louise and Sunny. I need to set things right. I have to apologize to Louise and take whatever her decision is regarding her and me. I still want to propose. I don’t want to be without my family any longer. Do you think we can leave here and go home?” Buck said quickly hoping Teaspoon would agree with him.
“Son, I was just waiting for you to ask. I didn’t want to take you back home until you thought you were ready. I think you’re more than ready to go back. I just wanted you to say it. How about we leave at first light tomorrow I miss my wife and granddaughter. I also miss Louise, but not as much as you I suppose. I hope she welcomes you back with open arms. She’s one special lady. I can’t ever figure how I thought she was a boy. I must have been blind or I didn’t want to see because then that would open a whole other can of worms. How long did you know you loved Louise before you two had your special time together that made our little Sunny?” Teaspoon replied as he started to pack up his belongings.
“Great, I can’t wait to get back. I’m ready and surer than sure that I love my two girls more than anything including booze. Teaspoon if I ever go near a bottle of liquor again, I want you to lock me up for as long as it takes the urges to go away.” Buck said as he too began to pack up his things.
“To answer your question about when I knew I loved Louise. It was when I first found out that she was a girl. I had some sort of feeling something wasn’t right and thought Lou was awfully girly. I thought maybe she was a man that liked other men. I even caught myself watching her and thinking how pretty Lou was for a boy. Was I ever relieved when we found out after the shootout at Boggs compound that Lou was really; Louise, I think it really hit me when Emma had Louise’s coming out party and Louise came down the stairs wearing that pink dress, she looked so different and she was so beautiful. That was when I knew I was in love with her, but Jimmy and Kid were always fighting about her so I kept my love a secret. I never told anyone not even Ike. Then Ike died and I was angry at the world. When you sent us to Silver Lake, Louise was crying and saying how much she missed Ike because she thought of him like an older brother she could go and talk to when she had a problem. That was the first time since Ike died that I didn’t feel angry. I felt my love for Louise grow that night. I could have stopped what happened very easily, but I wanted to be with Louise so much that when she kissed me, I gave into my feelings. Then the next day I was unsure if Louise felt the same as I felt for her and didn’t think I could handle the rejection so I pretended I didn’t remember. When Louise didn’t say anything about it, I was kind of hurt that she thought it so easy to sleep with me. I thought I was a replacement for Kid. The urge to drink because Ike was gone was intensified by the fact that I couldn’t get up the courage to tell Louise I loved her. So, I left and went on a drinking binge for about a year. I got back on the wagon, but fell off a few times, but finally got back on and stayed sober. I went further west and got a job working breaking horses and then went and saw the Grand Canyon and the Pacific Ocean. Then I started going east again and decided to see if Louise was still around. I figured she was married to Kid and had a few kids. Boy was I surprised to find out we had a daughter and that Louise loved me just as much as I loved her. You know the rest,” Buck said to Teaspoon.
Buck and Teaspoon bedded down for the night looking forward to seeing their loved ones in a few days.
The duo rode most of the day and into the night. They stopped just twenty miles short of Rock Creek. As they lay beside the fire trying to fall asleep, Buck remembered that Teaspoon had said Louise said she loved him and that she’d have a surprise for him when he got back. He was so happy that Louise still loved him and he wondered what the surprise could be. He also wondered if he would have a job to go back to at the Taylor Ranch. He hoped that Mr. Taylor would understand his absence and let him have his job back. Buck fell asleep thinking of Louise and how she felt in his arms. Buck couldn’t wait to hold her once again.
Chapter Twenty Four
As Louise took the day’s laundry off the line there was a chill in the air as October was coming to an end. She heard horses approaching. She walked to the house and picked up the shotgun she had propped up against the side of it ready for any danger that might be coming. Louise took a stance with the gun that said she meant business. She hadn’t been expecting anyone at this time in the day so she was weary of anybody coming near her property.
Louise gasped when she saw that Teaspoon was coming up the road. She thought Buck wasn’t with him and thought the worst that Buck had died in the cabin. Then she saw Buck on top of Warrior looking as fit as a fiddle and smiling at her as he approached. Louise threw down the gun and started to run to Buck. Buck was off his horse immediately running to Louise. They met in the middle of Louise’s front yard.
Louise would have jumped into Buck’s arms if she had not been with child so she stopped short letting Buck come to her. Buck put his arms around Louise and felt the enlarged abdomen of his love. Buck had a strange look on his face like he was doing math in his head. Then it dawned on him that this baby could only be his. He stepped back with a huge smile on his face and put his hand on Louise’s swollen belly and felt a kick from the baby. Buck let out a whoop of joy and took Louise’s face in his hands and kissed her passionately. He missed her so much and now he knew what his surprise was. They were having another baby. Buck got tears in his eyes as he watched Louise break down in his arms clinging to him.
“Shhh Louise, Sweetheart. I’m home and we can finally be a family. I’ve missed you and Sunny so much. The hardest thing about being away was missing you and Sunny. I love you so much, Louise. If I ever touch another drop of liquor again you can leave me and go your own way. I will never talk to you that way or talk about our daughter like that ever again. Please forgive me for the cruel things I said. I love you and Sunny so much and now this new baby. I will never fail you again. I’m so sorry, Louise.” Buck said as he cried into Louise’s shoulder.
“I can’t believe you’re, home. I thought we’d never see you again. I’m sorry I pushed you away when I found out I was pregnant. I didn’t want to put added stress on you so you wouldn’t turn to the bottle again. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do being so mean and standoffish with you. I should have told you the day you brought me to the doctors. I was so foolish and stupid. I love you so much more than you’ll ever know. Sunny is going to be on top of the world when she sees you. Are you really happy about the baby?” Louise said with tears running down her face.
“Happy about the baby? I not happy, I’m ecstatic. How far along are you? I just felt the little one kick. He or she is going to be a great rider. Where’s our little ray of sunshine? I need to see her too,” Buck replied.
“I’m so happy you want the baby. I’m almost six months along. Yes, he or she can kick up a storm. Sunny is with Rachel and Jimmy in town getting some gumdrops,” Louise said as she remembered Teaspoon was off to the side of them watching the reunion. “I see you over there Gumpa. Come on over and let me give you a proper hug. I am ever so grateful to you, Teaspoon. You helped me and Sunny and now Buck so much. I missed my father being around. You truly are the only father I’ve ever loved and you’re the best father all of us riders could have.”
Louise gave Teaspoon a hug and a kiss on his bristled cheek. Teaspoon put his hand over Louise’s baby bump and felt his grandchild give a big kick for its Gumpa.
“Louise that is the best thing anyone has ever said to me. I’m so happy for you and Buck. I am tickled pink about the new baby. I’m so happy to be back. Is Rachel going to bring Sunny back here or will she, be at the house. I want to surprise her.” Teaspoon said his face the picture of happiness.
“She’s at the house. Jimmy’s bringing Sunny home. She asks for both of you daily. She thinks you were on a special trip and now that you’re both home she’ll be so happy. I’ll let you go surprise Rachel. I think Buck and Sunny need a special welcome home. As do Buck and me,” Louise said thinking of how excited Sunny would be to see her daddy. She also couldn’t wait to have some alone time with Buck by themselves.
Louise gasped when she saw that Teaspoon was coming up the road. She thought Buck wasn’t with him and thought the worst that Buck had died in the cabin. Then she saw Buck on top of Warrior looking as fit as a fiddle and smiling at her as he approached. Louise threw down the gun and started to run to Buck. Buck was off his horse immediately running to Louise. They met in the middle of Louise’s front yard.
Louise would have jumped into Buck’s arms if she had not been with child so she stopped short letting Buck come to her. Buck put his arms around Louise and felt the enlarged abdomen of his love. Buck had a strange look on his face like he was doing math in his head. Then it dawned on him that this baby could only be his. He stepped back with a huge smile on his face and put his hand on Louise’s swollen belly and felt a kick from the baby. Buck let out a whoop of joy and took Louise’s face in his hands and kissed her passionately. He missed her so much and now he knew what his surprise was. They were having another baby. Buck got tears in his eyes as he watched Louise break down in his arms clinging to him.
“Shhh Louise, Sweetheart. I’m home and we can finally be a family. I’ve missed you and Sunny so much. The hardest thing about being away was missing you and Sunny. I love you so much, Louise. If I ever touch another drop of liquor again you can leave me and go your own way. I will never talk to you that way or talk about our daughter like that ever again. Please forgive me for the cruel things I said. I love you and Sunny so much and now this new baby. I will never fail you again. I’m so sorry, Louise.” Buck said as he cried into Louise’s shoulder.
“I can’t believe you’re, home. I thought we’d never see you again. I’m sorry I pushed you away when I found out I was pregnant. I didn’t want to put added stress on you so you wouldn’t turn to the bottle again. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do being so mean and standoffish with you. I should have told you the day you brought me to the doctors. I was so foolish and stupid. I love you so much more than you’ll ever know. Sunny is going to be on top of the world when she sees you. Are you really happy about the baby?” Louise said with tears running down her face.
“Happy about the baby? I not happy, I’m ecstatic. How far along are you? I just felt the little one kick. He or she is going to be a great rider. Where’s our little ray of sunshine? I need to see her too,” Buck replied.
“I’m so happy you want the baby. I’m almost six months along. Yes, he or she can kick up a storm. Sunny is with Rachel and Jimmy in town getting some gumdrops,” Louise said as she remembered Teaspoon was off to the side of them watching the reunion. “I see you over there Gumpa. Come on over and let me give you a proper hug. I am ever so grateful to you, Teaspoon. You helped me and Sunny and now Buck so much. I missed my father being around. You truly are the only father I’ve ever loved and you’re the best father all of us riders could have.”
Louise gave Teaspoon a hug and a kiss on his bristled cheek. Teaspoon put his hand over Louise’s baby bump and felt his grandchild give a big kick for its Gumpa.
“Louise that is the best thing anyone has ever said to me. I’m so happy for you and Buck. I am tickled pink about the new baby. I’m so happy to be back. Is Rachel going to bring Sunny back here or will she, be at the house. I want to surprise her.” Teaspoon said his face the picture of happiness.
“She’s at the house. Jimmy’s bringing Sunny home. She asks for both of you daily. She thinks you were on a special trip and now that you’re both home she’ll be so happy. I’ll let you go surprise Rachel. I think Buck and Sunny need a special welcome home. As do Buck and me,” Louise said thinking of how excited Sunny would be to see her daddy. She also couldn’t wait to have some alone time with Buck by themselves.
Chapter Twenty Five
Buck and Louise waited in the house for Jimmy to bring back Sunny from town. They had decided when Jimmy and Sunny rode up to the house Buck would go into Louise’s bedroom and wait to be called. He wanted to surprise his little girl. Louise knew Sunny would think it was the best surprise ever.
As they waited Buck couldn’t take his eyes off Louise. She was radiant. You could now tell she was pregnant because of her enlarged abdomen. Buck still couldn’t believe it. He was going to be a father again. He couldn’t wait to be with Louise again to make love to her. He was so happy to be home.
Buck took Louise’s hand and brought her to where he was seated and had her sit in his lap. He kissed her with a passion they had never known before. Then Buck placed his hands with his fingers splayed on Louise swollen belly. He couldn’t quite get over the fact that he would actually be there for this baby’s birth and to be there to watch all its firsts like sitting up, crawling and saying daddy for the first time. He got all teary eyed just thinking about it.
Louise was reveling in the feeling of the man she loves hands on her pregnant belly. She thought she’d never feel that feeling in her whole life. She moved Buck’s hand to the place the baby was kicking at that moment. The baby gave a couple strong kicks. Buck smiled a huge smile at Louise and kissed her again while he felt the baby move inside her womb.
Buck heard a horse approaching and let Louise up from his lap. Louise looked out the window and saw it was Jimmy and Sunny. She shooed Buck into the bedroom and went to the kitchen door to let her little one and Jimmy in.
“Hi, Mama. Uncwle Jwimmy got me a pwinwheel. See it gwoes wround and wround,” Sunny said as she showed her mother her new toy. Jimmy saw the look on Louise’s face. She was smiling from ear to ear. He knew something was up.
“Lou you feeling alright? You’re acting kind of strange,” Jimmy asked wondering what was making her so happy.
“I’m just fine Jimmy,” Louise said as she turned to her daughter. “Where you a good girl for Uncle Jimmy, Sweetheart?”
“She was the belle of the ball and was very good. Even Tompkins is nice when Sunny’s around,” Jimmy answered Louise smiling.
“Well I’m happy to hear that because I have a special surprise for you. Something you’ve been wanting a long time,” Louise said as Sunny got a look of excitement on her face. “Come on out, surprise.”
Sunny looked around for her surprise and looked at the door knob on her mother’s room turning. She watched as the door opened and her daddy was standing there. Sunny let out a squeal and ran to Buck.
“Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaadddddddddyyyyyyyyyyyy! “Sunny yelled as she was scooped up into his arms. “Ywou’re rweally hwere. I missed you swo much. Dwon’t gwo away again. Mama’s hwaving a baby. She says it’s going to be my wittle brother or sister. Mama said you are its daddy twoo. The baby kick Mama and I fweeled it in her tummy. I wove you Daddy,” Sunny said as she gave Buck a wet kiss and a big hug and nestled into his chest.
“I’m so glad to see you, Pumpkin. I missed you and Mama more than anything. Don’t worry I won’t go away again. Not without you and your Mama and the baby. I felt the baby kick Mama too. I hear you were a very good girl while I was gone and that you helped Mama do the chores. I’m very proud of you, Angel. I love you, Darlin’, Buck said as he hugged his daughter. Buck pulled Louise into the embrace and kissed her head. Louise sniffed and Buck felt tears soak through his shirt.
“Louise, it’s alright. I’m not going away again. I’m staying put until the day I meet my maker. Don’t cry,” Buck said as he put his fingers under her chin and kissed her tears away.
“I know you won’t leave again. I’m just so happy your home. Oh Jimmy. I’m sorry we seemed to have gone into our own world. Thank you for taking Sunny into town. Will you come over Sunday for dinner? That would be okay, right Buck?” Louise said waiting to see if Buck would get angry at the invitation, she made to Jimmy for supper.
“I think that’s a great idea, Louise. How about it, Jimmy? Louise’s cooking is much improved from when we were with the express,” Buck said as he held out his hand to Jimmy.
“That would be right fine. I’d love to come to dinner Sunday,” Jimmy said taking Buck’s hand and shaking it. “I’m glad you’re back Buck. Your family missed you. It looks like you’re the remedy they needed to feel whole again. Oh, Congratulations on the baby on the way. I’m sure you’re thrilled about having another baby. I can see how good you are with Sunny. You make Lou and Sunny happy and that’s all that counts. I best be, going. I’ll see you all Sunday.
Jimmy left the house and mounted his horse. He gave a wave and was off.
“You handled that very well, Sweetheart. I’m proud of you,” Louise said giving Buck a quick peck on the lips. “That will be continued later when a certain ray of sunshine is in bed.”
“Are you sure, Honey? It won’t hurt the baby. I’m not saying I’m opposed to it. It has been a while. I just don’t want to harm you or the baby,” Buck said hoping he could just hold Louise tonight, but if they could make love, he would be ecstatic.
“Nope it won’t hurt me or the baby. I asked the doctor a few weeks ago in hopes you’d be home before I’m as big as a barn. It has been a long time. So, what do you say my room after the little angel is asleep? I really missed you too,” Louise said as she gave Buck a real kiss.
“Daddy will you plway with me when you’re dwone kwissing, Mama?” Sunny said. Buck and Louise broke apart laughing. They sure were going to have their hands full with two little ones.
“Yes, Sweetheart, I’ll play with you. What do you want to play? I can read you a book, how about a Kiowa story?” Buck replied.
“Da one with Unwcle Rwed Bwear’s pwictures?” Sunny asked her father.
“Okay, that one will be perfect. Let’s go into your room and read a little then supper will be ready, right Mama?” Buck asked.
“Yes, Sweetheart dinner will be ready in twenty minutes. Buck, don’t forget to wash up after you finish reading. You have to be grubby after your long ride,” Louise said as she went to give her daughter and the man, she loved a kiss. Louise was so happy she thought she would burst.
As they waited Buck couldn’t take his eyes off Louise. She was radiant. You could now tell she was pregnant because of her enlarged abdomen. Buck still couldn’t believe it. He was going to be a father again. He couldn’t wait to be with Louise again to make love to her. He was so happy to be home.
Buck took Louise’s hand and brought her to where he was seated and had her sit in his lap. He kissed her with a passion they had never known before. Then Buck placed his hands with his fingers splayed on Louise swollen belly. He couldn’t quite get over the fact that he would actually be there for this baby’s birth and to be there to watch all its firsts like sitting up, crawling and saying daddy for the first time. He got all teary eyed just thinking about it.
Louise was reveling in the feeling of the man she loves hands on her pregnant belly. She thought she’d never feel that feeling in her whole life. She moved Buck’s hand to the place the baby was kicking at that moment. The baby gave a couple strong kicks. Buck smiled a huge smile at Louise and kissed her again while he felt the baby move inside her womb.
Buck heard a horse approaching and let Louise up from his lap. Louise looked out the window and saw it was Jimmy and Sunny. She shooed Buck into the bedroom and went to the kitchen door to let her little one and Jimmy in.
“Hi, Mama. Uncwle Jwimmy got me a pwinwheel. See it gwoes wround and wround,” Sunny said as she showed her mother her new toy. Jimmy saw the look on Louise’s face. She was smiling from ear to ear. He knew something was up.
“Lou you feeling alright? You’re acting kind of strange,” Jimmy asked wondering what was making her so happy.
“I’m just fine Jimmy,” Louise said as she turned to her daughter. “Where you a good girl for Uncle Jimmy, Sweetheart?”
“She was the belle of the ball and was very good. Even Tompkins is nice when Sunny’s around,” Jimmy answered Louise smiling.
“Well I’m happy to hear that because I have a special surprise for you. Something you’ve been wanting a long time,” Louise said as Sunny got a look of excitement on her face. “Come on out, surprise.”
Sunny looked around for her surprise and looked at the door knob on her mother’s room turning. She watched as the door opened and her daddy was standing there. Sunny let out a squeal and ran to Buck.
“Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaadddddddddyyyyyyyyyyyy! “Sunny yelled as she was scooped up into his arms. “Ywou’re rweally hwere. I missed you swo much. Dwon’t gwo away again. Mama’s hwaving a baby. She says it’s going to be my wittle brother or sister. Mama said you are its daddy twoo. The baby kick Mama and I fweeled it in her tummy. I wove you Daddy,” Sunny said as she gave Buck a wet kiss and a big hug and nestled into his chest.
“I’m so glad to see you, Pumpkin. I missed you and Mama more than anything. Don’t worry I won’t go away again. Not without you and your Mama and the baby. I felt the baby kick Mama too. I hear you were a very good girl while I was gone and that you helped Mama do the chores. I’m very proud of you, Angel. I love you, Darlin’, Buck said as he hugged his daughter. Buck pulled Louise into the embrace and kissed her head. Louise sniffed and Buck felt tears soak through his shirt.
“Louise, it’s alright. I’m not going away again. I’m staying put until the day I meet my maker. Don’t cry,” Buck said as he put his fingers under her chin and kissed her tears away.
“I know you won’t leave again. I’m just so happy your home. Oh Jimmy. I’m sorry we seemed to have gone into our own world. Thank you for taking Sunny into town. Will you come over Sunday for dinner? That would be okay, right Buck?” Louise said waiting to see if Buck would get angry at the invitation, she made to Jimmy for supper.
“I think that’s a great idea, Louise. How about it, Jimmy? Louise’s cooking is much improved from when we were with the express,” Buck said as he held out his hand to Jimmy.
“That would be right fine. I’d love to come to dinner Sunday,” Jimmy said taking Buck’s hand and shaking it. “I’m glad you’re back Buck. Your family missed you. It looks like you’re the remedy they needed to feel whole again. Oh, Congratulations on the baby on the way. I’m sure you’re thrilled about having another baby. I can see how good you are with Sunny. You make Lou and Sunny happy and that’s all that counts. I best be, going. I’ll see you all Sunday.
Jimmy left the house and mounted his horse. He gave a wave and was off.
“You handled that very well, Sweetheart. I’m proud of you,” Louise said giving Buck a quick peck on the lips. “That will be continued later when a certain ray of sunshine is in bed.”
“Are you sure, Honey? It won’t hurt the baby. I’m not saying I’m opposed to it. It has been a while. I just don’t want to harm you or the baby,” Buck said hoping he could just hold Louise tonight, but if they could make love, he would be ecstatic.
“Nope it won’t hurt me or the baby. I asked the doctor a few weeks ago in hopes you’d be home before I’m as big as a barn. It has been a long time. So, what do you say my room after the little angel is asleep? I really missed you too,” Louise said as she gave Buck a real kiss.
“Daddy will you plway with me when you’re dwone kwissing, Mama?” Sunny said. Buck and Louise broke apart laughing. They sure were going to have their hands full with two little ones.
“Yes, Sweetheart, I’ll play with you. What do you want to play? I can read you a book, how about a Kiowa story?” Buck replied.
“Da one with Unwcle Rwed Bwear’s pwictures?” Sunny asked her father.
“Okay, that one will be perfect. Let’s go into your room and read a little then supper will be ready, right Mama?” Buck asked.
“Yes, Sweetheart dinner will be ready in twenty minutes. Buck, don’t forget to wash up after you finish reading. You have to be grubby after your long ride,” Louise said as she went to give her daughter and the man, she loved a kiss. Louise was so happy she thought she would burst.
Buck, Louise and Sunny ate supper and then the grown-ups cleaned up. Then all three of them went for a walk before they put Sunny to bed for the night. Buck held Louise in one arm and Sunny in the other as they walked. Sunny fell asleep while Buck carried her after her long event filled day. Both Buck and Louise put Sunny to bed. They then made sure the house was closed up tight for the night.
Buck and Louise walked into Louise’s bedroom and embraced, kissing each other deeply. Buck undid Louise’s dress and underpinnings. She stood there naked in the lamp light and Buck thought she had never looked more beautiful. He reached out and put his, hands on Louise’s bare pregnant belly and smiled the biggest smile she had ever seen him smile.
“We made two children, Louise and I’ve never really asked you the most important question straight out. I love you and our children so much it makes me swell with pride. I want to ask you, will you marry me, Louise? We will really be a family when we are wed. I want to give you and our children my name. I want to be able to stay with you every night without people talking. I want more children with you. Louise, be my wife.”
Louise looked at Buck who had gotten down on one knee. She had tears in her eyes as Buck put his hand on Louise’s swollen abdomen and took her left hand in the other. Buck then let go and pulled out of his vest pocket a small velvet pouch. He opened it and a gold band with a purple stone fell out. Louise let out a gasp.
“Will you marry me, Louise?” Buck asked as he took her left hand in his again.
“Buck, I’ve been waiting for this moment for almost four years. Yes, I will marry you. I will be yours forever.” Louise said with tears in her eyes.
Buck placed the ring on Louise’s left ring finger and kissed it. He then stood up and embraced Louise giving her a kiss that was the most passionate kiss they had ever had.
“You must be freezing. I love looking at you this way that I forgot its cold in here. Get into bed and snuggle down under the covers. Oh, makes sure your night gown is handy. Memories of the day after I came back to Rock Creek still scare me. I don’t want to be caught naked by Sunny again. I’ll keep my long john bottoms here to put on before we go to sleep,” Buck said as he got Louise into bed and got undressed himself.
Buck got into bed and Louise looked at him and said, “I wanted to tell you something once we were alone. I know the baby is a girl and I know when she was conceived. It was when we were in the wild rose meadow. I know she was made that day. I just know it. I have a name all picked out for her, but I want to keep it a secret until she’s born. It will honor her Kiowa heritage. I want it to be a surprise. Do you mind waiting to hear what her name is?”
“I don’t mind as long as I’m the first to know after she’s born. I love that she’s going to have a Kiowa name. You named Sunny so beautifully. I can’t wait to hear what our new daughters name is. When is the baby due?” Buck replied to Louise as he rubbed her belly.
“She’s due in February, around the end of the month. You really believe me that the baby is a girl. You don’t think I’m being silly,” Louise said as she put her, hands on Buck’s chest.
“I believe mothers know sometimes. Red Bear told me my mother knew I would be a boy. So, with that knowledge I believe you know too.” Buck said right before he kissed Louise.
“Thank you for believing me, Buck.”
“You’re welcome, Sweetheart.”
They then made love like they had never been apart. They made love many times that night. Promising each other they would always be together no matter what happened.
Buck and Louise walked into Louise’s bedroom and embraced, kissing each other deeply. Buck undid Louise’s dress and underpinnings. She stood there naked in the lamp light and Buck thought she had never looked more beautiful. He reached out and put his, hands on Louise’s bare pregnant belly and smiled the biggest smile she had ever seen him smile.
“We made two children, Louise and I’ve never really asked you the most important question straight out. I love you and our children so much it makes me swell with pride. I want to ask you, will you marry me, Louise? We will really be a family when we are wed. I want to give you and our children my name. I want to be able to stay with you every night without people talking. I want more children with you. Louise, be my wife.”
Louise looked at Buck who had gotten down on one knee. She had tears in her eyes as Buck put his hand on Louise’s swollen abdomen and took her left hand in the other. Buck then let go and pulled out of his vest pocket a small velvet pouch. He opened it and a gold band with a purple stone fell out. Louise let out a gasp.
“Will you marry me, Louise?” Buck asked as he took her left hand in his again.
“Buck, I’ve been waiting for this moment for almost four years. Yes, I will marry you. I will be yours forever.” Louise said with tears in her eyes.
Buck placed the ring on Louise’s left ring finger and kissed it. He then stood up and embraced Louise giving her a kiss that was the most passionate kiss they had ever had.
“You must be freezing. I love looking at you this way that I forgot its cold in here. Get into bed and snuggle down under the covers. Oh, makes sure your night gown is handy. Memories of the day after I came back to Rock Creek still scare me. I don’t want to be caught naked by Sunny again. I’ll keep my long john bottoms here to put on before we go to sleep,” Buck said as he got Louise into bed and got undressed himself.
Buck got into bed and Louise looked at him and said, “I wanted to tell you something once we were alone. I know the baby is a girl and I know when she was conceived. It was when we were in the wild rose meadow. I know she was made that day. I just know it. I have a name all picked out for her, but I want to keep it a secret until she’s born. It will honor her Kiowa heritage. I want it to be a surprise. Do you mind waiting to hear what her name is?”
“I don’t mind as long as I’m the first to know after she’s born. I love that she’s going to have a Kiowa name. You named Sunny so beautifully. I can’t wait to hear what our new daughters name is. When is the baby due?” Buck replied to Louise as he rubbed her belly.
“She’s due in February, around the end of the month. You really believe me that the baby is a girl. You don’t think I’m being silly,” Louise said as she put her, hands on Buck’s chest.
“I believe mothers know sometimes. Red Bear told me my mother knew I would be a boy. So, with that knowledge I believe you know too.” Buck said right before he kissed Louise.
“Thank you for believing me, Buck.”
“You’re welcome, Sweetheart.”
They then made love like they had never been apart. They made love many times that night. Promising each other they would always be together no matter what happened.
Chapter Twenty Six
Buck went to the Taylor Ranch and talked to Mr. Taylor about possibly getting his job back. Mr. Taylor told Buck that both Louise and Jimmy came to talk to him about his situation and asked to keep his job open. Mr. Taylor really liked Buck and knew the terrible time he went through while away getting sober. He told Buck that the job was still his and that he could have some time with his family before he returned to work. He gave him three days and then he could move back into the bunkhouse. Buck thanked Mr. Taylor and said he wouldn’t let him down again.
Buck rode back to Louise’s and spent the day with his fiancé and their little girl making cookies which he had never done before and reading to Sunny. Buck made Sunny’s day when he put his ear to Louise’s stomach and said he could hear the baby talking. He made Sunny laugh so hard that she had to go to the potty. Louise thought she would go into labor right then from laughing so hard. He spent the whole three days with Louise and Sunny. They snuggled on the couch in front of the fire place with a roaring fire and told Sunny about their time with the Pony Express and Buck told her what life was like in the Kiowa village when he was around her age. Sunny asked many questions and fell asleep each night cuddling with her mother and father. Buck and Louise would put Sunny to bed and then go to bed and make love tenderly each night and fell asleep holding one another. Buck’s hand would stray during the night to Louise’s abdomen and he would rub here belly in his sleep. They wanted it to be this way always.
Buck rode back to Louise’s and spent the day with his fiancé and their little girl making cookies which he had never done before and reading to Sunny. Buck made Sunny’s day when he put his ear to Louise’s stomach and said he could hear the baby talking. He made Sunny laugh so hard that she had to go to the potty. Louise thought she would go into labor right then from laughing so hard. He spent the whole three days with Louise and Sunny. They snuggled on the couch in front of the fire place with a roaring fire and told Sunny about their time with the Pony Express and Buck told her what life was like in the Kiowa village when he was around her age. Sunny asked many questions and fell asleep each night cuddling with her mother and father. Buck and Louise would put Sunny to bed and then go to bed and make love tenderly each night and fell asleep holding one another. Buck’s hand would stray during the night to Louise’s abdomen and he would rub here belly in his sleep. They wanted it to be this way always.
November came in very cold and windy. Sunny’s birthday was a fun event. Her father was there for the first time for a birthday and Sunny couldn’t be happier. Teaspoon and Rachel made Sunny a puppet looking like each family member including Ike and Noah. She even made one of Kid and Cody. Teaspoon made a little puppet stage with a curtain to pull back when Sunny was giving a puppet show. Teaspoon painted horses on the puppet stage and named it “Sunny’s Pony Express Family Puppet Show”. Sunny loved it and took the Mama and Daddy puppets and made them kiss. This brought laughter from the whole party and made her mama and daddy blush crimson. Tompkins came to the party with a red sled for the birthday girl. She loved it and made daddy promise to take her sledding with the first big snow of the season. Jimmy gave Sunny a new winter bonnet and a stuffed toy bear. Sunny insisted on wearing the bonnet throughout the party because she liked it so much. She named the bear James which made her uncle laugh because no one called him James except for Louise when she was mad at him. The Taylors were in attendance and gave Sunny a new doeskin dress and matching moccasins. Sunny took off her shoes and had Snow Bird help her put on the moccasins. The Taylor ranch foreman Aiden Murphy gave Sunny a new handmade wooden horse and rider knowing the one she had had broken. For the final gift of the day Sunny and everyone else bundled up and went out into the yard. Buck went into the barn and brought out a black pony with a brand, new saddle. Sunny clapped and walked over to the pony. The pony put his nose down for a scratch. Sunny asked if it was hers. Her mama and daddy said yes and told her it was a boy pony. They put Sunny in the saddle. They lead the pony around the yard. Jimmy asked what she was going to name it. Sunny thought about it and said, “Running Lou”. She said it had her mama’s name and some of her daddy’s Kiowa name. Buck put Running Lou in the barn and made him comfortable. Then everyone went inside and had some of Rachel’s delicious birthday cake. Sunny announced as she ate her cake that this was her best birthday ever. Everybody laughed knowing she had only had the two before this one. Then Buck, Jimmy and Gumpa Teaspoon put an impromptu puppet show that had everyone laughing. Sunny fell asleep a little while after sunset and was put to bed with her new stuffed bear James. She had had a wonderful day.
~*~
November went by in a swirl of wind and snow. December came in cold and icy. Soon it was Christmas Eve and a little girl was quietly waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. Sunny had asked her mama and daddy how Santa got down the chimney when the fire was going. Buck had been stumped by this question never having a real Christmas until he joined the Pony Express. Louise saved the day and told Sunny that Santa was magic and if he could make reindeer fly and if he knew if she was naughty or nice, he could get by the fire without getting burned. Sunny accepted this answer and sat with her daddy on the settee cuddling with him, daddy dolly and James the bear. Louise being seven months pregnant and very uncomfortable cuddling with a squirming three, year old was sitting in the rocking chair knitting a baby blanket. The baby was kicking up a storm as the night grew later. Finally, Sunny fell asleep in her daddy’s arms still waiting for Santa Claus to come. Buck got up, helped Louise up and they put Sunny to bed each giving her a kiss on her head. Then they went to work. Buck went out to the barn to check on the horses and cow. He came back with a rocking horse and a small rocking chair he had made for Sunny. Louise went into her trunk and brought out a China doll and a little China tea set that Jimmy picked out in Blue Creek. She also took out a coat lined and trimmed in fur that she had made with the hides from rabbits Buck had trapped. She also pulled out a hat and muff made of fur with a new red scarf to match the material on the outside of the coat. Rachel had made Sunny two new dresses and underpinnings. One dress was red which was Sunny’s favorite color and one in pink with a blue sash for special occasions. Tompkins sent over a bag of gumdrops and a rainbow of hair ribbons in a carved wooden box. The Taylors sent over a small tipi that Mr. Taylor and Snow bird had made for Sunny for when the weather got nice. Not to be out done Teaspoon made her a small dollhouse with little furniture and figurines. The family would be over in the early afternoon for Christmas dinner, but this night they wanted to spend as a family for their first Christmas Eve together. Louise and Buck went to bed and talked a bit about how much they thought Sunny would love her presents the next morning. Buck kissed Louise passionately then with her back to his front they went to sleep with Buck’s hand protectively on her swollen belly. Buck and Louise had made a deal to only get one present each for each other. They wanted this to be Sunny’s day and with the new baby coming they wanted to save their money. Teaspoon, Rachel and Jimmy spent Christmas Eve together and exchanged their gift that night. They gave Buck and Louise Sunny’s presents to open on Christmas morning so she wouldn’t get over excited and be overwrought throughout Christmas dinner. They all knew Sunny threw food when she was over stimulated.
Louise was up before dawn preparing Christmas dinner. Buck was still asleep when she got up. He was nestled all comfy and warm in the covers of the bed when he felt a little body get into bed with him. The little body had cold feet and when they touched his bare, chest he jerked awake. He opened his eyes to see his eyes only in little girl size staring back at him. He smiled at his first born. She smiled back and reached out to hug her daddy.
“Merry Christmas, Angel did you have a good sleep? You have cold feet my little sugar plum,” Buck said to Sunny laughing when she wiggled her toes.
“Sworry Daddy. Did I mwiss it? Did I mwiss Christmas, Daddy? Did I get any pwresents from Santa Claus?” Sunny asked her father as she wiggled around with excitement.
“No, you didn’t miss Christmas. Why don’t we go give mama and the baby a Merry Christmas hug and kiss and then we can all go open presents. Sound good to you, Muffin?”
Sunny giggled, her daddy was always calling her funny names. She really liked it. She was so glad he was back and here for Christmas. Her daddy said he was never going away again not without her, mama and the baby. She loved her daddy so much. She knew her mama was the happiest when daddy was with them.
“Yes Daddy. I like giving the baby a kwiss on Mama’s belly. When will the baby cwome here Daddy? Will it be able to plway with me when it cwomes here?” Sunny asked totally forgetting her presents in the sitting room.
“I like giving the baby a kiss too. The baby will be here in a while it will still be winter. Angel, you’ll have to wait to play with the baby because it will be so small and will need a lot of taking care of by Mama and me, but we will also keep taking care of you. The baby won’t be able to walk or crawl or talk at first. It will be able to cry and that will tell us what the baby needs. It will have a different cry for needing its diaper changed, if it’s hungry or has a gas bubble in its tummy or if it wants to be picked up. You have to promise me and Mama you won’t try to pick up the baby or carry the baby. We will all have to be careful with the baby. If you want when the baby is a little older in the spring, we’ll help you hold it so you can see what it’s like to hold the baby. By summer the baby will be able to roll over on a blanket on the floor and sit up by itself. By the fall the baby will be crawling and by your birthday the baby will be trying to stand up by itself. It will try to talk, but say funny words like mamamama and dadadada. By its birthday when it turns one it will be walking and you can play nice with the baby. If the baby pulls your hair, hits you or bites you should never hurt the baby because it has to learn from Mama and me to be gentle. It doesn’t know any better. If the baby does that, I want you to tell a grown-up, okay? You’ll be a good big sister, Honey. Now did we forget something with all the questions about the baby? Something about presents I think?” Buck said before he picked up Sunny and carried her into the kitchen.
Buck didn’t know, but Louise had been standing in the doorway listening to Buck tell their daughter about the new baby. She was moved to tears by how much Buck had learned about babies. She wondered where he learned all of it. She would ask him tonight when they were in bed. It was now accepted by the people in town that Buck, stay the night with Louise and Sunny because Louise needed help with things in her advanced stage of her pregnancy. No one wanted her to go into labor alone with just Sunny there. When the baby was closer to coming Jimmy was going to bunk down in the sitting room so he could go for the doc, Rachel and Teaspoon. Now that Buck had proposed the town knew they were getting married after the baby was born. Some still didn’t approve, but the majority, knew what they had been through and were happy they were now together as a family.
Buck carried Sunny into the kitchen and put her down so she could give the baby and her mama a hug and kiss. Sunny went up to her mama and said, “Merry Christmas Mama and baby.” She then hugged her mama’s belly and gave it a kiss. Buck went up to Louise and gave her a soft kiss on the lips saying “Merry Christmas” and then bent down and kissed her belly saying, “Merry Christmas baby” and rubbed her belly getting a big kick in response. Louise smiled and gave Buck a kiss back and told them both “Merry Christmas”. Louise took Sunny and Buck by the hand and they walked into the sitting room together.
Sunny’s eyes went wide and she jumped up and down yelling, “Santa Cwame! Santa Cwame!”
The first thing Sunny went to was the rocking horse and climbed on with the help of her daddy. She rocked back and forth for a while and then spotted the China tea set. She got off the rocking horse and ran over to the tea set and looked at her mama and said, “It’s jwust like you and Gamma’s twea pots, Mama.”
“Yes, it is, Sweetheart. Now you can have tea parties with daddy dolly and James the bear and I think there’s a new friend waiting to meet you. Here she is, Honey.” Louise said with the biggest smile on her face. Her baby was growing up and having big girl toys now.
“Mama, it’s a real Chwina Dolly. I twold Uncwle Jwimmy that I wanted one and I got one. I love her. What’s her name?”
“That’s up to you, Sweetheart. Do you need help naming her?” Louise said to Sunny who had a look of pure concentration on her face.
“I thwink it should be Mary like mwy name when I’m not cwalled Sunny.”
‘I think that’s a great idea, Pumpkin.”
“Nice to meet you, Mary, I’m Daddy and this is Mommy and baby.” Buck said making Sunny giggle.
Buck and Louise watched their daughter open her gifts and start to play with them. She was so happy. Seeing her so happy made Buck and Lou feel so much love for Sunny, the new baby and each other.
Buck told Louise that he had to get something in the barn and he’d be right back. When Buck was in the barn Louise went to their bedroom and went into her closet and got something out of the back of it.
Buck returned at the same time Louise did. He was carrying something big wrapped in a tarp. Louise had a smaller, but thick package wrapped in red tissues and tied with a green ribbon. They went into the sitting room and Buck put Louise’s gift in front of her. Louise did the same with Buck’s gift.
“You open your gift first.” Louise said to Buck.
Buck ripped open the tissue paper to find a tailored brown suit with a white tailored shirt and brown string tie. There was also a handkerchief with a running deer and Buck’s initials embroidered on it. Buck looked at the suit and wondered how Louise paid for such an extravagant gift.
“Well, do you like it?” Louise asked Buck excited that she could finally give it to him.
“I love it, but how did you pay for such a nicely tailored suit and shirt.”
“Well, that is a nice compliment. I only paid for the fabric and buttons. I made it, Sweetheart. I know your measurements in my sleep and Mr. Tompkins took three pies and two cakes I made as half payment for the fabric and buttons. He said the pies and cakes went fast, but he managed to save a pie for himself. He says anytime I want to bring more in he’ll pay me cash for them or let me put it towards something we need. I embroidered the handkerchief myself. That’s supposed to be a Running Buck. I had one of Rachel’s students who is a good artist draw it for me and I just followed the pattern. You really thought it was a tailored suit from a haberdashery. I didn’t think I could love you anymore than I do, but now I love you more.” Louise said with a giggle.
“Oh, Darlin’ it’s so smart and stylish. I knew you did good work, but this could be in a tailor’s window showing how good the quality is. I didn’t know you made men’s clothing. I love it and I love you. Thank you. This is the fourth best gift I’ve ever gotten, you, Sunny and the baby being the first three. I love the handkerchief it really is a good likeness to a running buck. Louise you amaze and surprise me every day.”
“I’m so glad you like it. I actually never made a man’s suit before. I’ve only ever made shirts for Teaspoon. It was a learning experience. Try on the suit jacket.”
Buck tried in the jacket and it fit him perfectly. He turned around for Louise and she knew she had made it the right size. Buck looked so handsome in it. Louise had made it while Buck was at work or in town with Teaspoon and Jimmy. She worked very hard on it and she was really pleased with her work.
Buck motioned to the big box with the tarp over it and said, “Take the tarp off and see what it is.”
Louise went over to the tarp and pulled it off with some help from Buck. She gasped when she saw what he had made her. It was a hope chest. On the top cover was a setting sun carved on one side and a rose carved on the other side with room to put more carvings that represent their children. In the middle near the edge the name Louise Mary was carved in beautiful scrolled writing. In the middle of the body of the chest was a place for Buck to carve their children’s names. Sunny’s full name Mary Setting Sun was carved at the top. At the bottom of the body of the chest under the box for their children’s names was a heart with the names Buck and Louise carved into it.
Louise ran her hand over the carvings with tears in her eyes. She looked at Buck and smiled a huge smile. She walked over to Buck and hugged him as best she could, being seven months pregnant. Then she reached up a taking Buck’s face in her hands and kissed him with such passion they thought they would both, melt. Sunny watched her parents with a smile as she played with her toys. She wondered why they kissed so much. Then she remembered that her Daddy loves her Mama and mama’s and daddies always kissed. She went on to have her tea party with her new Mary Dolly, James the bear and Daddy Dolly.
“Buck it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. The setting sun and the rose are perfect. Our names together in the heart and Sunny’s name with the space to put more of our children’s names and something representing them are wonderful. I love it. I can put all our special things from our life in it. You are the sweetest man. I love you so much more than you could ever imagine. Thank you, Honey.” Louise said as she looked over the hope chest again.
Buck was so happy that Louise liked her gift. He had worked on it at night in the barn when Louise was asleep and when she would go visit Rachel with Sunny. They both wanted their first Christmas together as a couple to be special and it truly was.
~*~
November went by in a swirl of wind and snow. December came in cold and icy. Soon it was Christmas Eve and a little girl was quietly waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. Sunny had asked her mama and daddy how Santa got down the chimney when the fire was going. Buck had been stumped by this question never having a real Christmas until he joined the Pony Express. Louise saved the day and told Sunny that Santa was magic and if he could make reindeer fly and if he knew if she was naughty or nice, he could get by the fire without getting burned. Sunny accepted this answer and sat with her daddy on the settee cuddling with him, daddy dolly and James the bear. Louise being seven months pregnant and very uncomfortable cuddling with a squirming three, year old was sitting in the rocking chair knitting a baby blanket. The baby was kicking up a storm as the night grew later. Finally, Sunny fell asleep in her daddy’s arms still waiting for Santa Claus to come. Buck got up, helped Louise up and they put Sunny to bed each giving her a kiss on her head. Then they went to work. Buck went out to the barn to check on the horses and cow. He came back with a rocking horse and a small rocking chair he had made for Sunny. Louise went into her trunk and brought out a China doll and a little China tea set that Jimmy picked out in Blue Creek. She also took out a coat lined and trimmed in fur that she had made with the hides from rabbits Buck had trapped. She also pulled out a hat and muff made of fur with a new red scarf to match the material on the outside of the coat. Rachel had made Sunny two new dresses and underpinnings. One dress was red which was Sunny’s favorite color and one in pink with a blue sash for special occasions. Tompkins sent over a bag of gumdrops and a rainbow of hair ribbons in a carved wooden box. The Taylors sent over a small tipi that Mr. Taylor and Snow bird had made for Sunny for when the weather got nice. Not to be out done Teaspoon made her a small dollhouse with little furniture and figurines. The family would be over in the early afternoon for Christmas dinner, but this night they wanted to spend as a family for their first Christmas Eve together. Louise and Buck went to bed and talked a bit about how much they thought Sunny would love her presents the next morning. Buck kissed Louise passionately then with her back to his front they went to sleep with Buck’s hand protectively on her swollen belly. Buck and Louise had made a deal to only get one present each for each other. They wanted this to be Sunny’s day and with the new baby coming they wanted to save their money. Teaspoon, Rachel and Jimmy spent Christmas Eve together and exchanged their gift that night. They gave Buck and Louise Sunny’s presents to open on Christmas morning so she wouldn’t get over excited and be overwrought throughout Christmas dinner. They all knew Sunny threw food when she was over stimulated.
Louise was up before dawn preparing Christmas dinner. Buck was still asleep when she got up. He was nestled all comfy and warm in the covers of the bed when he felt a little body get into bed with him. The little body had cold feet and when they touched his bare, chest he jerked awake. He opened his eyes to see his eyes only in little girl size staring back at him. He smiled at his first born. She smiled back and reached out to hug her daddy.
“Merry Christmas, Angel did you have a good sleep? You have cold feet my little sugar plum,” Buck said to Sunny laughing when she wiggled her toes.
“Sworry Daddy. Did I mwiss it? Did I mwiss Christmas, Daddy? Did I get any pwresents from Santa Claus?” Sunny asked her father as she wiggled around with excitement.
“No, you didn’t miss Christmas. Why don’t we go give mama and the baby a Merry Christmas hug and kiss and then we can all go open presents. Sound good to you, Muffin?”
Sunny giggled, her daddy was always calling her funny names. She really liked it. She was so glad he was back and here for Christmas. Her daddy said he was never going away again not without her, mama and the baby. She loved her daddy so much. She knew her mama was the happiest when daddy was with them.
“Yes Daddy. I like giving the baby a kwiss on Mama’s belly. When will the baby cwome here Daddy? Will it be able to plway with me when it cwomes here?” Sunny asked totally forgetting her presents in the sitting room.
“I like giving the baby a kiss too. The baby will be here in a while it will still be winter. Angel, you’ll have to wait to play with the baby because it will be so small and will need a lot of taking care of by Mama and me, but we will also keep taking care of you. The baby won’t be able to walk or crawl or talk at first. It will be able to cry and that will tell us what the baby needs. It will have a different cry for needing its diaper changed, if it’s hungry or has a gas bubble in its tummy or if it wants to be picked up. You have to promise me and Mama you won’t try to pick up the baby or carry the baby. We will all have to be careful with the baby. If you want when the baby is a little older in the spring, we’ll help you hold it so you can see what it’s like to hold the baby. By summer the baby will be able to roll over on a blanket on the floor and sit up by itself. By the fall the baby will be crawling and by your birthday the baby will be trying to stand up by itself. It will try to talk, but say funny words like mamamama and dadadada. By its birthday when it turns one it will be walking and you can play nice with the baby. If the baby pulls your hair, hits you or bites you should never hurt the baby because it has to learn from Mama and me to be gentle. It doesn’t know any better. If the baby does that, I want you to tell a grown-up, okay? You’ll be a good big sister, Honey. Now did we forget something with all the questions about the baby? Something about presents I think?” Buck said before he picked up Sunny and carried her into the kitchen.
Buck didn’t know, but Louise had been standing in the doorway listening to Buck tell their daughter about the new baby. She was moved to tears by how much Buck had learned about babies. She wondered where he learned all of it. She would ask him tonight when they were in bed. It was now accepted by the people in town that Buck, stay the night with Louise and Sunny because Louise needed help with things in her advanced stage of her pregnancy. No one wanted her to go into labor alone with just Sunny there. When the baby was closer to coming Jimmy was going to bunk down in the sitting room so he could go for the doc, Rachel and Teaspoon. Now that Buck had proposed the town knew they were getting married after the baby was born. Some still didn’t approve, but the majority, knew what they had been through and were happy they were now together as a family.
Buck carried Sunny into the kitchen and put her down so she could give the baby and her mama a hug and kiss. Sunny went up to her mama and said, “Merry Christmas Mama and baby.” She then hugged her mama’s belly and gave it a kiss. Buck went up to Louise and gave her a soft kiss on the lips saying “Merry Christmas” and then bent down and kissed her belly saying, “Merry Christmas baby” and rubbed her belly getting a big kick in response. Louise smiled and gave Buck a kiss back and told them both “Merry Christmas”. Louise took Sunny and Buck by the hand and they walked into the sitting room together.
Sunny’s eyes went wide and she jumped up and down yelling, “Santa Cwame! Santa Cwame!”
The first thing Sunny went to was the rocking horse and climbed on with the help of her daddy. She rocked back and forth for a while and then spotted the China tea set. She got off the rocking horse and ran over to the tea set and looked at her mama and said, “It’s jwust like you and Gamma’s twea pots, Mama.”
“Yes, it is, Sweetheart. Now you can have tea parties with daddy dolly and James the bear and I think there’s a new friend waiting to meet you. Here she is, Honey.” Louise said with the biggest smile on her face. Her baby was growing up and having big girl toys now.
“Mama, it’s a real Chwina Dolly. I twold Uncwle Jwimmy that I wanted one and I got one. I love her. What’s her name?”
“That’s up to you, Sweetheart. Do you need help naming her?” Louise said to Sunny who had a look of pure concentration on her face.
“I thwink it should be Mary like mwy name when I’m not cwalled Sunny.”
‘I think that’s a great idea, Pumpkin.”
“Nice to meet you, Mary, I’m Daddy and this is Mommy and baby.” Buck said making Sunny giggle.
Buck and Louise watched their daughter open her gifts and start to play with them. She was so happy. Seeing her so happy made Buck and Lou feel so much love for Sunny, the new baby and each other.
Buck told Louise that he had to get something in the barn and he’d be right back. When Buck was in the barn Louise went to their bedroom and went into her closet and got something out of the back of it.
Buck returned at the same time Louise did. He was carrying something big wrapped in a tarp. Louise had a smaller, but thick package wrapped in red tissues and tied with a green ribbon. They went into the sitting room and Buck put Louise’s gift in front of her. Louise did the same with Buck’s gift.
“You open your gift first.” Louise said to Buck.
Buck ripped open the tissue paper to find a tailored brown suit with a white tailored shirt and brown string tie. There was also a handkerchief with a running deer and Buck’s initials embroidered on it. Buck looked at the suit and wondered how Louise paid for such an extravagant gift.
“Well, do you like it?” Louise asked Buck excited that she could finally give it to him.
“I love it, but how did you pay for such a nicely tailored suit and shirt.”
“Well, that is a nice compliment. I only paid for the fabric and buttons. I made it, Sweetheart. I know your measurements in my sleep and Mr. Tompkins took three pies and two cakes I made as half payment for the fabric and buttons. He said the pies and cakes went fast, but he managed to save a pie for himself. He says anytime I want to bring more in he’ll pay me cash for them or let me put it towards something we need. I embroidered the handkerchief myself. That’s supposed to be a Running Buck. I had one of Rachel’s students who is a good artist draw it for me and I just followed the pattern. You really thought it was a tailored suit from a haberdashery. I didn’t think I could love you anymore than I do, but now I love you more.” Louise said with a giggle.
“Oh, Darlin’ it’s so smart and stylish. I knew you did good work, but this could be in a tailor’s window showing how good the quality is. I didn’t know you made men’s clothing. I love it and I love you. Thank you. This is the fourth best gift I’ve ever gotten, you, Sunny and the baby being the first three. I love the handkerchief it really is a good likeness to a running buck. Louise you amaze and surprise me every day.”
“I’m so glad you like it. I actually never made a man’s suit before. I’ve only ever made shirts for Teaspoon. It was a learning experience. Try on the suit jacket.”
Buck tried in the jacket and it fit him perfectly. He turned around for Louise and she knew she had made it the right size. Buck looked so handsome in it. Louise had made it while Buck was at work or in town with Teaspoon and Jimmy. She worked very hard on it and she was really pleased with her work.
Buck motioned to the big box with the tarp over it and said, “Take the tarp off and see what it is.”
Louise went over to the tarp and pulled it off with some help from Buck. She gasped when she saw what he had made her. It was a hope chest. On the top cover was a setting sun carved on one side and a rose carved on the other side with room to put more carvings that represent their children. In the middle near the edge the name Louise Mary was carved in beautiful scrolled writing. In the middle of the body of the chest was a place for Buck to carve their children’s names. Sunny’s full name Mary Setting Sun was carved at the top. At the bottom of the body of the chest under the box for their children’s names was a heart with the names Buck and Louise carved into it.
Louise ran her hand over the carvings with tears in her eyes. She looked at Buck and smiled a huge smile. She walked over to Buck and hugged him as best she could, being seven months pregnant. Then she reached up a taking Buck’s face in her hands and kissed him with such passion they thought they would both, melt. Sunny watched her parents with a smile as she played with her toys. She wondered why they kissed so much. Then she remembered that her Daddy loves her Mama and mama’s and daddies always kissed. She went on to have her tea party with her new Mary Dolly, James the bear and Daddy Dolly.
“Buck it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. The setting sun and the rose are perfect. Our names together in the heart and Sunny’s name with the space to put more of our children’s names and something representing them are wonderful. I love it. I can put all our special things from our life in it. You are the sweetest man. I love you so much more than you could ever imagine. Thank you, Honey.” Louise said as she looked over the hope chest again.
Buck was so happy that Louise liked her gift. He had worked on it at night in the barn when Louise was asleep and when she would go visit Rachel with Sunny. They both wanted their first Christmas together as a couple to be special and it truly was.
Teaspoon, Rachel and Jimmy came over to Louise and Buck’s for Christmas dinner. Sunny showed off all her toys and gifts and thanked everyone for their gifts. Louise and Buck showed everyone the gifts that they made each other. Everyone was amazed at the craftsmanship of the hope chest and the fine needle work of the suit.
They all had a delicious dinner and dessert. They retired to the sitting room for some Christmas Carols and Teaspoon, Jimmy and Buck had a tea party with Sunny while Louise and Rachel talked about the baby and what they had made for it.
Everyone said goodnight when Sunny fell asleep while sitting her rocking chair. Rachel said New Years, dinner would be at their house in a week. Everyone bundled up and went out into the cold night ready to go to bed themselves.
Buck and Louise put Sunny to bed and got ready for bed themselves. When they were snuggling under the bed covers Louise had to ask Buck a question, she had been wondering all day.
“Buck, Can I ask you a question?” Louise asked as Buck held her to him with his hand protectively on her baby belly feeling the baby move inside her.
“Sure, what is it? Is there anything wrong?”
“No, nothing’s wrong I just was wondering how you knew all the things you told Sunny about the new baby this morning. You certainly knew a lot. You were so good with her. You are going to be good with the new baby too. I know it.”
“Well, I’ve been asking Rachel and Snow Bird Taylor about how to take care of an infant and what will happen while they are growing in their first year. I don’t want to go into having to take care of the baby like a greenhorn. I wanted to know some things about taking care of a baby. I missed that with Sunny. I want to be a, hands on parent.”
“Oh, I love you so much. You are willing to do more than any father I’ve ever known. You even cleaned up after Sunny threw up when she had too many gumdrops and all I could do was gag and run in the other room. You know changing diapers isn’t an easy job. It can be very yucky. Do you think you’re up to it?” Louise asked Buck who kissed her neck as she spoke.
“Louise, I’ve seen you vomit with this pregnancy. You threw up on me at Rachel’s and it didn’t bother me. I’ve cleaned probably a million stalls and never gotten as much as a heave. I don’t think our little baby’s diaper is going to bother me. Don’t worry I’ll do my share of diaper changing. I love you, my beautiful girl. Nothing can scare me away again. I’m in for the long haul. Let’s get some sleep. I’m sure our little ray of sunshine will be, up with the sun so she can play with her toys.”
“Okay, but if you’re in this room when they baby comes no passing out. It’s not a pretty sight. Good night, my manly man who won’t throw up at our baby’s stinky diapers. Like that’s going to happen.” Louise said as she giggled at Buck’s groan.
“Go to sleep, my fiancé who is trying to scare me about changing a diaper.” Buck said as he kissed Louise’s head.
“We’ll see, won’t we?”
“Good night Louise.”
Louise let out another giggle and then cuddled against Buck and they both fell asleep exhausted from their first wonderful Christmas Day as a family.
They all had a delicious dinner and dessert. They retired to the sitting room for some Christmas Carols and Teaspoon, Jimmy and Buck had a tea party with Sunny while Louise and Rachel talked about the baby and what they had made for it.
Everyone said goodnight when Sunny fell asleep while sitting her rocking chair. Rachel said New Years, dinner would be at their house in a week. Everyone bundled up and went out into the cold night ready to go to bed themselves.
Buck and Louise put Sunny to bed and got ready for bed themselves. When they were snuggling under the bed covers Louise had to ask Buck a question, she had been wondering all day.
“Buck, Can I ask you a question?” Louise asked as Buck held her to him with his hand protectively on her baby belly feeling the baby move inside her.
“Sure, what is it? Is there anything wrong?”
“No, nothing’s wrong I just was wondering how you knew all the things you told Sunny about the new baby this morning. You certainly knew a lot. You were so good with her. You are going to be good with the new baby too. I know it.”
“Well, I’ve been asking Rachel and Snow Bird Taylor about how to take care of an infant and what will happen while they are growing in their first year. I don’t want to go into having to take care of the baby like a greenhorn. I wanted to know some things about taking care of a baby. I missed that with Sunny. I want to be a, hands on parent.”
“Oh, I love you so much. You are willing to do more than any father I’ve ever known. You even cleaned up after Sunny threw up when she had too many gumdrops and all I could do was gag and run in the other room. You know changing diapers isn’t an easy job. It can be very yucky. Do you think you’re up to it?” Louise asked Buck who kissed her neck as she spoke.
“Louise, I’ve seen you vomit with this pregnancy. You threw up on me at Rachel’s and it didn’t bother me. I’ve cleaned probably a million stalls and never gotten as much as a heave. I don’t think our little baby’s diaper is going to bother me. Don’t worry I’ll do my share of diaper changing. I love you, my beautiful girl. Nothing can scare me away again. I’m in for the long haul. Let’s get some sleep. I’m sure our little ray of sunshine will be, up with the sun so she can play with her toys.”
“Okay, but if you’re in this room when they baby comes no passing out. It’s not a pretty sight. Good night, my manly man who won’t throw up at our baby’s stinky diapers. Like that’s going to happen.” Louise said as she giggled at Buck’s groan.
“Go to sleep, my fiancé who is trying to scare me about changing a diaper.” Buck said as he kissed Louise’s head.
“We’ll see, won’t we?”
“Good night Louise.”
Louise let out another giggle and then cuddled against Buck and they both fell asleep exhausted from their first wonderful Christmas Day as a family.
Chapter Twenty Seven
January came in very cold and snowy. Louise was getting to the point where she just wanted the baby out of her so she could feel like a normal woman again. She had to go to the privy so much that Buck was carrying her back and forth to the outhouse so she wouldn’t slip in the snow. She was still light as a feather to Buck even in the eighth month of pregnancy. Louise was miserable. She was very emotional and cried at the littlest thing. She had only done that at the beginning of her pregnancy and now at the end it was happening again.
One day in late January Buck told Louise how beautiful she was and she started to cry saying she was as big as a house and fat and ugly. When Buck tried to reassure her, she was gorgeous to him, but Louise locked herself in their bedroom and cried through supper and then fell asleep in her clothes. Buck had to jimmy the lock to get in and see if Louise was alright and to put Sunny to bed. He woke Louise up to get her in her nightgown and make sure she was okay. He undressed her and kissed her swollen belly and then put her flannel night gown and a pair of his socks on her feet. Then he got into bed with her and snuggled up against her telling her he loved her more than life itself. He kissed her cheek and they fell asleep as always with Buck’s hand on her swollen abdomen. Buck watched what he said from then on until the baby was born.
One day in late January Buck told Louise how beautiful she was and she started to cry saying she was as big as a house and fat and ugly. When Buck tried to reassure her, she was gorgeous to him, but Louise locked herself in their bedroom and cried through supper and then fell asleep in her clothes. Buck had to jimmy the lock to get in and see if Louise was alright and to put Sunny to bed. He woke Louise up to get her in her nightgown and make sure she was okay. He undressed her and kissed her swollen belly and then put her flannel night gown and a pair of his socks on her feet. Then he got into bed with her and snuggled up against her telling her he loved her more than life itself. He kissed her cheek and they fell asleep as always with Buck’s hand on her swollen abdomen. Buck watched what he said from then on until the baby was born.
February was as cold and snowy as January. Louise was now put to bed because Doctor Stone didn’t want Louise to move around too much because she was not steady on her feet and could fall causing her to hurt herself or lose the baby. Louise was glad to be off her feet because they hurt like they were in a vice with her shoes on. Buck was staying home until a few weeks after the baby was born to help take care of Sunny and Louise with his bosses, good wishes and his job held until he came back. Jimmy was now bunking down in the sitting room and spending most of the day there with Buck, Louise and Sunny.
With one day until the month of February was to end Buck and Jimmy were talking while Sunny ate lunch with Louise resting. They heard Louise cry out and Buck making sure Jimmy stayed with Sunny went to see if Louise was alright.
Buck walked into their bedroom and found Louise sitting on the side of the bed with a puddle underneath her and she was holding her stomach.
“Louise, is this it? Is the baby coming?”
“Yes, this is it or do you think I peed on the floor? Go tell Jimmy to get the doctor, Teaspoon and Rachel. Make sure to tell him to get Teaspoon here quickly hurry!”
Buck gave Louise a kiss on the head and went to the door and told Jimmy to go get the doc, Teaspoon and Rachel and to make sure Teaspoon gets here in a hurry. Jimmy asked why and Buck just shrugged his shoulders. He then told a scared Sunny to get a towel for daddy and then she could see her mama.
Buck went back into their bedroom and got Louise into bed and propped up with pillows. Sunny came in shyly which was nothing like her carrying the towel her daddy asked for.
“Hi Pumpkin, come on in and see that Mama’s fine and the baby’s coming. Thank you for the towel, Angel.” Buck said to Sunny hoping seeing Louise would put her at ease.
Sunny looked at the puddle on the floor and looked at her mother who was sweaty and breathing heavy. She got a little scared and it showed on her face.
“Mama you okay? Daddy says the baby is cwoming. When will it be hwere?”
“Yes, Honey, I’m fine. The baby is coming, but we don’t know what time it will come. Come give me a kiss and then we’ll wait for Uncle Jimmy to play with you in the sitting room,” Louise said to Sunny who was obviously confused.
Sunny gave her mama a kiss and then went to look out the kitchen window to wait for the doctor and the rest of her family.
A few minutes later, Sunny came running into the bedroom saying that the doctor, Gumpa, Gamma and Uncwle Jwimmy were here.
Everyone came rushing in the house Doc Stone and Rachel went into the bedroom and the doc checked out Louise.
Jimmy took Sunny into the sitting room and played with her so she wouldn’t get too scared once the screaming started.
“Louise, I think it’s going to be a while. You should try and get some rest,” Doc Stone said to Louise.
“I want Teaspoon in here with Rachel and the doctor. I want us married before the baby’s born. I will not have another child born out of wedlock. You got that, Buck! We get married now or else,” Louise said with a growl to her voice.
“Louise do you think this is the best time to be doing this?” Buck said as Louise gave him a look that sent shivers down his spine and not in a good way.
“Okay, Rachel can you go get Teaspoon. Doctor Stone I guess you’re a witness and Rachel, is too. You okay, Louise, Honey? “Buck said nervously as he started pacing the length of the bedroom.
“I’ll be fine when we’re married and this baby is out of me! Now come, sit with me since standing would be a little difficult for me right now! You said you wanted more children with me! We’ll see if I ever let you in this bed again! This is your last chance to run, Running Buck! Do it now or never again! Got it!” Louise said as a contraction came over her very quickly.
The doctor checked Louise over again and said, “I think this baby wants into this world faster than I expected. We’d better hurry.”
“Okay, what’s this about getting married while the baby’s, coming. Whose idea was this?” Teaspoon said as he walked into the room with Rachel.
Louise had another contraction and growled like a mama bear protecting its cub. “Is it so hard to understand that I want to be married before this baby, is born? Now get going Teaspoon! Marry us and let me have this baby! Is this a problem with anyone?” Louise growled again. Everyone shook their heads no.
Buck went to the dresser and got out two ring boxes. He came back and sat next to Louise and handed one to her.
“I thought these might come in handy for when we got married. Good thing I thought of it early,” Buck said almost afraid to touch Louise.
Louise opened the box and saw a large gold band with the words “Love Til The End, Of Time BC&LMC” engraved on the inside of the ring.
Louise got tears in her eyes and kissed Buck and said, “Does mine say that too?”
Buck gave her the ring that was smaller and more delicate to her so she could read what it said inside the band of gold.
It said, “Love For, Eternity BC&LMC”
Louise gasped when she saw what the ring said. She then hugged Buck right before a contraction hit and Teaspoon had to pry Louise’s arms from around Buck’s neck.
“Okay before we have any injuries to the groom or the baby makes an appearance let’s get you two wed.” Teaspoon said as he stood in front of Louise and Buck.
Teaspoon recited the wedding vows to Louise and Buck and they said them to each other. They put the rings on one another’s fingers and Teaspoon announced them Man and Wife. Buck took no time waiting for Teaspoon to say ‘you may kiss the bride’. He kissed Louise so passionately that everyone in the room could see that they would love each other 'til the end of time.
Louise pulled back and pushed Buck off the bed. He made a resounding thud on the floor. “Doc I think this baby wants out now. Sorry Sweetheart, I didn’t mean to push you so hard, but the baby’s coming.” Rachel shooed Teaspoon out of the room, but Buck stayed.
“Now Buck, I don’t usually let the father’s stay in the room for the birth, but since you weren’t here for Sunny’s birth I’ll let you stay. If you pass out, I’m not going to be coming to your aid. I’m going to stick with Louise. Understood?” Doc Stone said.
“I understand perfectly. I’ll just help hold Louise up and hold her hand. I want to be here.”
Louise let out a scream and said she had to push. The doctor looked and saw a head with dark hair on it.
“Okay Louise, I can see the head. Now push. That’s real, good. The head is out I want you to stop pushing now.” The doc said.
Buck was amazed by what he was seeing. He watched as his second child came into the world. He held Louise’s hand and rubbed her back. Louise let out one last scream and the baby was out. The baby let out a shrill cry. Buck waited to hear if the baby was healthy and if it was a girl like Louise thought. He’d be happy if it was a girl or a boy. He just wanted it healthy.
Rachel took the baby and cleaned it off as the doctor checked it out. She brought the baby back over in a blanket and handed it to Louise.
“It’s a girl, another healthy little girl.” Rachel said as she wiped her tears of joy away.
“I knew it was going to be a girl. Thank you, Rachel and Doc Stone can you give us a minute to let me tell Buck her name. Then we’ll tell you Rachel. Okay?” Louise said as she opened the blanket and counted her ten little fingers and ten little toes.
“Oh, Buck she’s beautiful. I told you that I’d tell you her name first. It’s Rachel "Wild Rose” Cross. I was thinking we could call her Rosie. Do you like it? It’s after where she was conceived, in the wild rose meadow. I’m just so sure she was conceived there.”
“Louise, I love the name. It’s perfect for her she has little rosy cheeks. She has your eyes and my color hair. Her skin is like Sunny’s and she has your nose. She has my lips just like Sunny. She sure has a lot of hair. Did Sunny have that much hair?”
“I’m so glad you like the name. Rosie Cross it has a ring to it. No, Sunny had more hair almost past her shoulders. Oh Buck, I love you so much. You have now given me the two best gifts in the world, our daughters. Would, you send Rachel in and then we can get the others. I think Sunny should come in alone and be the first to see her besides who was here when Rosie was born. I’m so glad we’re married, Sweetheart.” Louise said giving Buck a kiss.
Buck asked Rachel in the room and they told her the baby’s full name. Rachel cried when they told her. She hugged Louise and Buck thanking them. Then she placed a kiss on Rosie’s head and went to get Sunny.
Sunny came in the room hiding behind Rachel’s skirts, she was scared when her mama screamed and didn’t want to look.
“Sunny, Angel, come see Mama and the baby. I’m alright Sweet Pea. Don’t you want to meet the baby?” Louise said to her firstborn. At the sound of her mama’s voice Sunny appeared from around Rachel’s skirts and walked over to the bed. Buck picked up Sunny and sat her next to Louise.
“Sunny, this is your little sister Rachel “Wild Rose” Cross. We’re calling her Rosie. Can you say hello to Rosie?” Louise said as she held Rosie up so Sunny could see her little sister.
“Hello Wosie, I’m Sunny. I’m your big sister and you’re my wittle sister. We have a Mama and a Daddy. Thwey love us swo much. Can I kwiss hwer, Mama?” Sunny asked Louise.
“Yes, but gently on the forehead.” Louise said as Sunny gave Rosie a soft kiss on her forehead. “That was a nice soft kiss, Honey good job. Do you have any questions?”
“Where is Wosie going to sleep? There’s room in my bed.”
“I have that all taken care of, Pumpkin. I made a cradle and crib for Rosie to sleep in. She’s going to sleep in here with Mama and me. Rosie is going to wake up a lot to eat and Mama has to feed her. Only Mama can feed her.” Buck said to Sunny who was confused about the feeding of her little sister.
“Buck it’s about time for Rosie to have her first feeding. Why don’t I show her how it’s done?”
With that said Buck scooped Sunny up and sat her on his lap as Louise pulled down her nightgown, and held the baby to her breast. Rosie latched onto her mother’s breast after a few tries and began to suckle. Sunny watched with rapt attention, but said nothing. Buck was also watching very closely. He had never seen a more beautiful sight than his wife feeding their daughter.
With one day until the month of February was to end Buck and Jimmy were talking while Sunny ate lunch with Louise resting. They heard Louise cry out and Buck making sure Jimmy stayed with Sunny went to see if Louise was alright.
Buck walked into their bedroom and found Louise sitting on the side of the bed with a puddle underneath her and she was holding her stomach.
“Louise, is this it? Is the baby coming?”
“Yes, this is it or do you think I peed on the floor? Go tell Jimmy to get the doctor, Teaspoon and Rachel. Make sure to tell him to get Teaspoon here quickly hurry!”
Buck gave Louise a kiss on the head and went to the door and told Jimmy to go get the doc, Teaspoon and Rachel and to make sure Teaspoon gets here in a hurry. Jimmy asked why and Buck just shrugged his shoulders. He then told a scared Sunny to get a towel for daddy and then she could see her mama.
Buck went back into their bedroom and got Louise into bed and propped up with pillows. Sunny came in shyly which was nothing like her carrying the towel her daddy asked for.
“Hi Pumpkin, come on in and see that Mama’s fine and the baby’s coming. Thank you for the towel, Angel.” Buck said to Sunny hoping seeing Louise would put her at ease.
Sunny looked at the puddle on the floor and looked at her mother who was sweaty and breathing heavy. She got a little scared and it showed on her face.
“Mama you okay? Daddy says the baby is cwoming. When will it be hwere?”
“Yes, Honey, I’m fine. The baby is coming, but we don’t know what time it will come. Come give me a kiss and then we’ll wait for Uncle Jimmy to play with you in the sitting room,” Louise said to Sunny who was obviously confused.
Sunny gave her mama a kiss and then went to look out the kitchen window to wait for the doctor and the rest of her family.
A few minutes later, Sunny came running into the bedroom saying that the doctor, Gumpa, Gamma and Uncwle Jwimmy were here.
Everyone came rushing in the house Doc Stone and Rachel went into the bedroom and the doc checked out Louise.
Jimmy took Sunny into the sitting room and played with her so she wouldn’t get too scared once the screaming started.
“Louise, I think it’s going to be a while. You should try and get some rest,” Doc Stone said to Louise.
“I want Teaspoon in here with Rachel and the doctor. I want us married before the baby’s born. I will not have another child born out of wedlock. You got that, Buck! We get married now or else,” Louise said with a growl to her voice.
“Louise do you think this is the best time to be doing this?” Buck said as Louise gave him a look that sent shivers down his spine and not in a good way.
“Okay, Rachel can you go get Teaspoon. Doctor Stone I guess you’re a witness and Rachel, is too. You okay, Louise, Honey? “Buck said nervously as he started pacing the length of the bedroom.
“I’ll be fine when we’re married and this baby is out of me! Now come, sit with me since standing would be a little difficult for me right now! You said you wanted more children with me! We’ll see if I ever let you in this bed again! This is your last chance to run, Running Buck! Do it now or never again! Got it!” Louise said as a contraction came over her very quickly.
The doctor checked Louise over again and said, “I think this baby wants into this world faster than I expected. We’d better hurry.”
“Okay, what’s this about getting married while the baby’s, coming. Whose idea was this?” Teaspoon said as he walked into the room with Rachel.
Louise had another contraction and growled like a mama bear protecting its cub. “Is it so hard to understand that I want to be married before this baby, is born? Now get going Teaspoon! Marry us and let me have this baby! Is this a problem with anyone?” Louise growled again. Everyone shook their heads no.
Buck went to the dresser and got out two ring boxes. He came back and sat next to Louise and handed one to her.
“I thought these might come in handy for when we got married. Good thing I thought of it early,” Buck said almost afraid to touch Louise.
Louise opened the box and saw a large gold band with the words “Love Til The End, Of Time BC&LMC” engraved on the inside of the ring.
Louise got tears in her eyes and kissed Buck and said, “Does mine say that too?”
Buck gave her the ring that was smaller and more delicate to her so she could read what it said inside the band of gold.
It said, “Love For, Eternity BC&LMC”
Louise gasped when she saw what the ring said. She then hugged Buck right before a contraction hit and Teaspoon had to pry Louise’s arms from around Buck’s neck.
“Okay before we have any injuries to the groom or the baby makes an appearance let’s get you two wed.” Teaspoon said as he stood in front of Louise and Buck.
Teaspoon recited the wedding vows to Louise and Buck and they said them to each other. They put the rings on one another’s fingers and Teaspoon announced them Man and Wife. Buck took no time waiting for Teaspoon to say ‘you may kiss the bride’. He kissed Louise so passionately that everyone in the room could see that they would love each other 'til the end of time.
Louise pulled back and pushed Buck off the bed. He made a resounding thud on the floor. “Doc I think this baby wants out now. Sorry Sweetheart, I didn’t mean to push you so hard, but the baby’s coming.” Rachel shooed Teaspoon out of the room, but Buck stayed.
“Now Buck, I don’t usually let the father’s stay in the room for the birth, but since you weren’t here for Sunny’s birth I’ll let you stay. If you pass out, I’m not going to be coming to your aid. I’m going to stick with Louise. Understood?” Doc Stone said.
“I understand perfectly. I’ll just help hold Louise up and hold her hand. I want to be here.”
Louise let out a scream and said she had to push. The doctor looked and saw a head with dark hair on it.
“Okay Louise, I can see the head. Now push. That’s real, good. The head is out I want you to stop pushing now.” The doc said.
Buck was amazed by what he was seeing. He watched as his second child came into the world. He held Louise’s hand and rubbed her back. Louise let out one last scream and the baby was out. The baby let out a shrill cry. Buck waited to hear if the baby was healthy and if it was a girl like Louise thought. He’d be happy if it was a girl or a boy. He just wanted it healthy.
Rachel took the baby and cleaned it off as the doctor checked it out. She brought the baby back over in a blanket and handed it to Louise.
“It’s a girl, another healthy little girl.” Rachel said as she wiped her tears of joy away.
“I knew it was going to be a girl. Thank you, Rachel and Doc Stone can you give us a minute to let me tell Buck her name. Then we’ll tell you Rachel. Okay?” Louise said as she opened the blanket and counted her ten little fingers and ten little toes.
“Oh, Buck she’s beautiful. I told you that I’d tell you her name first. It’s Rachel "Wild Rose” Cross. I was thinking we could call her Rosie. Do you like it? It’s after where she was conceived, in the wild rose meadow. I’m just so sure she was conceived there.”
“Louise, I love the name. It’s perfect for her she has little rosy cheeks. She has your eyes and my color hair. Her skin is like Sunny’s and she has your nose. She has my lips just like Sunny. She sure has a lot of hair. Did Sunny have that much hair?”
“I’m so glad you like the name. Rosie Cross it has a ring to it. No, Sunny had more hair almost past her shoulders. Oh Buck, I love you so much. You have now given me the two best gifts in the world, our daughters. Would, you send Rachel in and then we can get the others. I think Sunny should come in alone and be the first to see her besides who was here when Rosie was born. I’m so glad we’re married, Sweetheart.” Louise said giving Buck a kiss.
Buck asked Rachel in the room and they told her the baby’s full name. Rachel cried when they told her. She hugged Louise and Buck thanking them. Then she placed a kiss on Rosie’s head and went to get Sunny.
Sunny came in the room hiding behind Rachel’s skirts, she was scared when her mama screamed and didn’t want to look.
“Sunny, Angel, come see Mama and the baby. I’m alright Sweet Pea. Don’t you want to meet the baby?” Louise said to her firstborn. At the sound of her mama’s voice Sunny appeared from around Rachel’s skirts and walked over to the bed. Buck picked up Sunny and sat her next to Louise.
“Sunny, this is your little sister Rachel “Wild Rose” Cross. We’re calling her Rosie. Can you say hello to Rosie?” Louise said as she held Rosie up so Sunny could see her little sister.
“Hello Wosie, I’m Sunny. I’m your big sister and you’re my wittle sister. We have a Mama and a Daddy. Thwey love us swo much. Can I kwiss hwer, Mama?” Sunny asked Louise.
“Yes, but gently on the forehead.” Louise said as Sunny gave Rosie a soft kiss on her forehead. “That was a nice soft kiss, Honey good job. Do you have any questions?”
“Where is Wosie going to sleep? There’s room in my bed.”
“I have that all taken care of, Pumpkin. I made a cradle and crib for Rosie to sleep in. She’s going to sleep in here with Mama and me. Rosie is going to wake up a lot to eat and Mama has to feed her. Only Mama can feed her.” Buck said to Sunny who was confused about the feeding of her little sister.
“Buck it’s about time for Rosie to have her first feeding. Why don’t I show her how it’s done?”
With that said Buck scooped Sunny up and sat her on his lap as Louise pulled down her nightgown, and held the baby to her breast. Rosie latched onto her mother’s breast after a few tries and began to suckle. Sunny watched with rapt attention, but said nothing. Buck was also watching very closely. He had never seen a more beautiful sight than his wife feeding their daughter.
Jimmy and Teaspoon came into see Baby Rosie and declared she was beautiful. It was almost nine o’clock at night when the family left. Sunny had fallen asleep next to her mama and baby sister. Buck picked her up and carried her into her bedroom, got her into her nightgown and put her to bed. It had been a long day for all of them. Buck left Sunny’s room to find Louise feeding Rosie. Buck got undressed down to his long john bottoms and got into bed with Louise and Rosie and he put out his finger to Rosie and she grabbed on to Buck’s surprise. Louise finished feeding the baby, burped her and Buck put her in her cradle beside the bed then they all went to bed. This night was Buck and Louise’s first night as husband and wife. They could nothing more than hold each other and kiss. In three months when the doctor gave the okay, they would somehow get away for a day and make love as husband and wife.
Epilogue
It was a warm day in June and Buck, Louise, Sunny and Rosie had just moved into their new house in Ike’s Meadow. There was a big sitting room and kitchen. It had a dining room, a mudroom, a sewing room, a study and a wraparound porch with a swing and wicker furniture. It also had six bedrooms for the children Buck and Louise had and were going to have. Louise and Rachel had picked out all the furniture and made all the curtains. Buck and Jimmy had made all the headboards and made a new rocking chair for Louise all with the elaborate wood carving that Buck had made for the hope chest. He made a toy box for each of his girls with their names on them with a setting sun and wild roses.
Buck and Louise were now married with two beautiful daughters and were happy. They knew there would be hard times, but they would get through them together. Buck never touched another drop of liquor as he promised he would. They went on to have two more children both girls. Buck couldn’t have been happier with his five lovely ladies. He never had the urge for Louise to have a boy. He knew it wasn’t meant to be and he was fine with that.
Cody came back a few years after Rosie was born with his Wild West Show. He apologized to his express family about not keeping in touch and loved his little nieces very much. Jimmy stayed in Rock Creek and took over as Marshal when Teaspoon retired. He courted and wed Jennifer Tompkins who had come back home. She said she had been back east for too long. They were matched with their tempers and passion for life and each other. They had a boy and a girl to add to the express family. No one ever heard from Kid again. Cody said he heard a rumor he was in Tombstone working in a bar as a bartender and was married and had a couple kids, but no one knew for sure.
Life went on and the children got older and got married and started their own lives. Buck and Lou loved each other reverently and selflessly. They had the life they had always wanted together and their lives were filled with laughter and love.
Buck and Louise were now married with two beautiful daughters and were happy. They knew there would be hard times, but they would get through them together. Buck never touched another drop of liquor as he promised he would. They went on to have two more children both girls. Buck couldn’t have been happier with his five lovely ladies. He never had the urge for Louise to have a boy. He knew it wasn’t meant to be and he was fine with that.
Cody came back a few years after Rosie was born with his Wild West Show. He apologized to his express family about not keeping in touch and loved his little nieces very much. Jimmy stayed in Rock Creek and took over as Marshal when Teaspoon retired. He courted and wed Jennifer Tompkins who had come back home. She said she had been back east for too long. They were matched with their tempers and passion for life and each other. They had a boy and a girl to add to the express family. No one ever heard from Kid again. Cody said he heard a rumor he was in Tombstone working in a bar as a bartender and was married and had a couple kids, but no one knew for sure.
Life went on and the children got older and got married and started their own lives. Buck and Lou loved each other reverently and selflessly. They had the life they had always wanted together and their lives were filled with laughter and love.