Buck finished getting dinner ready while Amy cleaned up. He was just putting the roasted chicken out on the table, and trying to keep the kitten out of the dinner, when she came out of the bathing room. She was wearing the same long white robe he'd seen her in before, and she was rubbing a towel through her wet hair.
"Dinner smells wonderful, Amy. I'm surprised you found the time to put all of this together."
"I was running up here all day in between things, doing a little bit here and there." She leaned over, inhaling the aroma of the chicken, then looked back up and smiled. "And now I, for one, am hungry!"
He smiled, then went over and pulled her chair out with a flourish. She laughed and curtsied. "Thank you, sir," she said as she sat down.
Buck slid her chair in, then sat down himself. He just knew this was going to be a good night.
They ate mostly in silence, then cleared off the table together. Finally he took her by the arm and led her toward the stairway. "I'll finish up here. You should go get dressed."
"Buck . . ."
"Yes, I'm sure we can't stay here tonight," he said, cutting her off. He took her hand, holding it securely in his own. "Trust me, Amy."
A small smile, and then she said, "I do." She pulled her hand gently away, turned, and went up the stairs.
He watched until she went around the corner and then he returned to the kitchen. It only took a few minutes to finish cleaning up, after which he used the small bathing room for some privacy to change clothes.
Buck had just finished changing and packing up his other clothes when he heard footsteps coming toward the stairway. He walked out into the other room as Amy reached the top of the stairs - and what he saw nearly took his breath away.
She was wearing the same dress he'd seen in the photo turned down on the mantle. But as beautiful as the dress had appeared there, the real thing was almost beyond words. Created out of a pale blue silk, the fabric was almost luminescent. The bodice had tiny, intricate flowers stitched on it, and below that the fabric was gathered and then fell free and loose, making it look almost as though Amy was floating as she came down a couple of steps. He looked up beyond the dress, saw Amy. She had pulled her hair back at the crown, leaving some long tendrils loose in the front to frame her face. All in all, he was sure he'd never seen anyone look so beautiful - and tonight, he knew he was the luckiest man alive.
"Buck? Buck, is something wrong?"
He finally became aware that she was talking to him - and apparently had been for a while. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, then looked back up at her and smiled. "Nothing's wrong," he answered. "You are just so beautiful."
She blushed and swallowed nervously. She still wasn't sure about doing this. But she knew Buck wanted this, and he did look handsome in his suit . . . and so she'd try.
He met her halfway on the stairs, holding her hand as they returned to the main floor. Amy twirled around once, letting him see the dress from all angles - letting him see her from all angles. He held out his arm and she took it, and together they headed out to face the town.
The music soared over Rock Creek, greeting them as they neared the town. Buck guided the horse and buckboard around behind the church, pulling up near the other wagons already there. He hopped down and walked to the other side, holding his hand up. "Ready?"
She wanted to scream "NO" at the top of her lungs, but then she looked into the calm strength of his eyes, and the word caught in her throat. Instead she just nodded wordlessly, took his hand, and stepped down from the wagon.
Buck wrapped his arm around hers and leaned close. "Amy, just remember, you are strong."
She didn't feel strong. Quite the opposite in fact. Her knees were trembling, and she was sure she'd fall over if not for Buck's support. She'd avoided people for so long, and now the thought of facing so many all at once . . .
She looked up, really noticing things for the first time. The people of Rock Creek had hung a huge tarp between some buildings, creating a large dance floor underneath. Lanterns and festive harvest decorations hung all over, swaying in the evening's gentle breeze. In one corner, a band was playing a lively number, and people were laughing and dancing. Along one side a row of tables held refreshments, and more people were gathered there, talking and eating. Behind the dance area groups of children were playing.
She thought back a year, to when they had first arrived in Rock Creek. They'd arrived just in time for this same dance. And they'd had so much fun, meeting new neighbors, getting to know their new town.
So much had changed in that year . . .
They were almost to the dance area before she really realized it, and Buck was asking her something. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
He smiled, knowing her thoughts had been miles, and months, away. "I asked if you'd like to dance first, or get something to drink."
"Dance, I think. Before I get more scared and change my mind."
"No one's going to hurt you here, Amy. I won't allow it."
His soft words were reassuring, and she looked up at him, forcing a small smile.
He smiled back, released her arm, and took her hand - making sure to hold her right hand so she couldn't fall back on her habit of hiding her face. He stepped forward, tugging gently, leading her toward the dance floor.
Jimmy, Cody, and Noah were standing near the refreshment area eating when Cody saw them come in. Through a mouthful of cake he mumbled, "I think I've died and gone to heaven, because that has to be an angel."
The other two men followed his gaze. "I assume that must be the mysterious Amy," Noah commented.
"Yeah, that's Amy," Jimmy agreed. But she sure looked different than when he'd seen her.
They stopped at the edge of the dance floor and Buck held his arms out, waiting. She took a deep breath and reached out, her right hand fitting into his left, her left hand going to his hip. He put his right hand around her waist, and stepped back.
The first few steps were a blur as she struggled to keep her panic in check. But then the music broke through the haze in her mind, encircling her, drawing her under its spell. She gave in to the draw of the music, closed her eyes, and relaxed under Buck's lead.
He felt her relax under his hands, and they began to move as one to the music. He stayed close to the edge of the dancing area, not wanting to do anything to break the mood.
Amy was only vaguely aware of when the music stopped, but then she opened her eyes, looking up into Buck's smiling face. And she had to smile too as they joined in the applause for the musicians. The band quickly responded by starting another number, this time a slow waltz.
As Amy and Buck started dancing again, two other couples were moving off of the dance floor. Kid and Lou made their way over to where the other riders were still standing. "I'm guessing that must be Amy Dandridge," Kid said, pouring punch for himself and Lou.
"That's who it is," Teaspoon said, escorting Rachel over to stand next to the others. "Damn, I didn't think he'd get her here."
"I guess Buck can be pretty persuasive," Rachel observed. She smiled to herself, carefully not voicing the rest of her thoughts - that it was love that had done the persuading. The feeling was so obvious between the two of them, but she was sure neither of them had admitted it yet.
"Well, Buck's been holding out on us," Cody griped. "He said she was pretty, but he didn't say anything about gorgeous."
"Oh, stop drooling, Cody," Lou told him, swatting his arm. She watched Buck and Amy for a moment, smiling. It was hard to miss the look of love - but she wondered if they'd realized it yet. She'd have to get Rachel alone and talk to her, without the men around.
"Teaspoon, I don't know how it happened, but I'd say Amy being here is close to a miracle."
They all turned at the new voice, admitting the doctor into their circle. "That it might be, Doc," Teaspoon agreed. "But you'll have to ask Buck. Whatever he said or did, that's what got her here."
"Yes,
he's been good for her,"
"It's been a change in him too," Rachel observed. "Maybe not as big a change as for Amy, but Buck's just been . . . happier."
Buck and Amy had moved to the center of the dance area, and they all watched for a few moments in silence. "This is the way I remember meeting her," Doc finally said. "They came to town just in time for the harvest dance last year. And Amy just lit the place up."
"I can see how she could do that," Teaspoon said. "And," he continued, straightening his tie, "as Marshal of Rock Creek, I think I should welcome her back to town." The music was just ending as he started threading his way through the dancers.
Buck and Amy were still applauding the musicians when Teaspoon approached. He bowed low then extended his hand to take hers. "Miss Amy," he said, bowing low and kissing the back of her hand, "may I say what a pleasure it is to have you grace our little dance."
"You're very kind, Marshal," she replied, realizing she was starting to forget what she had been so afraid of here.
The music started up again and Teaspoon held onto her hand, using his other hand to gently push Buck back. "Buck, you're lookin' tired. Why don't you sit this one out?" Without waiting for an answer, Teaspoon stepped off, leading Amy with him.
Buck watched them for a moment, then headed over to his friends. The night was still young, and he hoped he'd have many more dances with Amy before it was over.
"Buck, I am so happy you got Amy to come," Rachel said as he got closer. "I have to admit, I wasn't sure you could do it."
"How did you get her to agree, son?" Doc asked.
"A little begging, a little pleading," Buck answered. "And I promised if anyone gave her trouble, Hickok would shoot them."
While the others laughed, Jimmy choked on his punch. "Oh, thanks a lot, Buck," he sputtered, using a napkin to wipe up splattered punch.
Buck just grinned and filled his own cup, all the while watching Amy. She seemed so happy now, and he wasn't going to let anything change that.
Teaspoon moved around the dance floor, taking advantage of the faster pace of this song. He greeted a few people here and there, hoping that Amy was noting the friendly looks on the faces around them. "I'm real glad you decided to come tonight, Amy."
"Well, Buck can be quite persuasive," she answered. "I'll admit I was frightened, and I still am, a little. But this seemed so important to him."
"I think you're real important to him, Amy," Teaspoon answered gently as the music stopped.
Amy just answered with a smile, and then Teaspoon led her off toward the tables. "You come and let Buck introduce his friends." He leaned closer and whispered, "If they don't scare you off, you can handle anything!"
They were both still laughing as they reached the group at the tables.
None of them noticed the stranger sliding back into the deeper shadows behind the band.
He kept to the shadows on the dark side of the buildings, avoiding the well-lit main street, until he came to the livery stable. It was no surprise that no one was there - it looked like just about everyone in Rock Creek was at the dance.
Even her.
He shook his head in disbelief. She was supposed to be dead. They'd left her, beaten, bleeding, and she should have died.
But now he'd seen her, and she wasn't dead. Far from it in fact. But there was no doubt it was her.
He'd given her that scar himself.
Isaac Baxter saddled his horse quickly, then led the animal out the side door, away from the festivities. He walked his horse until he was well behind the livery stable, then mounted and rode slowly out of town. The last thing he wanted to do was attract any attention.
Finally, clear of the town and with no sign of any alarm, he urged the horse ahead faster, wanting to make good time back to Hollington. Abe Holling wasn't going to like this at all.
He thought back to the previous winter, five of them on the way back from a cattle drive, stopping in Rock Creek to re-shoe one of the horses. Watching a couple of well-dressed men board the eastbound stage, and finding out that the older man was a wealthy businessman from Chicago with a new home just outside of Rock Creek. Buying a few drinks at the bar to loosen tongues, and finding out about the deliveries of fancy furniture and household goods that had been made to the businessman's home. Figuring that where there were fancy goods, there was probably also money in the house - and learning that only two women stood between them and the wealth they knew must be there.
They'd had a few more drinks themselves, then rode out of town - and not toward Hollington. The place had been just where they'd expected from the stories, and the inhabitants just as predicted, two scared women.
Except they hadn't been quite so scared as they maybe should have been. The women had fought back - hard. He rubbed his neck absently, aware that he still had scars from where the younger one had gouged him with her fingernails.
They shouldn't have fought back, he thought. If the women had just given in, let him and his friends have their way, they would have lived.
Maybe.
But the women had fought, and fought hard. Once the older one died, the younger one obviously had to die too. There could be no witnesses. But first all five of them could have some fun.
And then, when there was nothing left to take from her, Baxter had pulled his knife. She had left him scarred, and he was going to return the favor.
He remembered now the pleasure of pulling the blade the length of her face - and the feeling of slight disappointment that she was going to die, and not have to live with that scar. As he had to live with his.
Baxter spurred his horse a little faster. He really needed to talk to Abe Holling about this.
The night flew by as Amy danced with Cody, Noah, Jimmy, and several times with Buck. Finally, after one particularly fast number with Cody, she came back to the refreshment tables and said, "I think I could use a break."
Buck jumped a little as Jimmy's elbow nudged him in the back. Trying to ignore the others, who were all grinning, he suggested, "We could go for a walk."
"That would be nice," Amy replied holding out her hand.
Buck took her hand, threw an annoyed look over his shoulder at his "friends" who were standing there laughing, then led Amy away from the dance. The laughter seemed to grow louder, and he could feel himself blushing. "Don't mind them," he said to Amy. "They might never grow up."
She smiled and pulled his arm closer. "I think your friends are very nice."
"Maybe I introduced you to the wrong people," he joked, relaxing a little.
"They care a lot about you," she replied, leaning in closer against his chest.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and they walked toward the edge of town, neither of them feeling the need to break the silence. Finally they reached the Pony Express station and Buck gestured with his free arm. "This is it," he said. "Home sweet home."
Amy lifted her head from his shoulder and looked around, taking in the main house, the bunkhouse, the barn and corral. Looking toward the bunkhouse she asked, "Can we go inside?"
"It's not much to look at."
"Still, I want to see where you live."
He shrugged and led the way. Once he opened the door, the moonlight glowed bright enough for Amy to start looking around while Buck found and lit a lamp. He took a few steps and stopped with the lamp over one of the bunks. "Well, this is me," he said. "Not much compared to your house."
Amy came over and took his hand. "But you have other people around," she said quietly. "I just have a big empty house."
He leaned over and whispered conspiratorially, "They snore." He didn't want to break the good mood of the evening by letting her dwell on being alone.
She laughed, letting the thoughts of loneliness slide by - for now. "Well, so does the kitten," she said, "so I don't escape that." At the look of humored disbelief he gave her, she continued, "She does! It's this cute little snore though, when she's all curled up in a ball. All of a sudden there'll be this little snaaaaarrrrkk . . ."
They both laughed at her imitation of the kitten's baby snore. "That's not quite the way anyone's ever described my snoring," Buck observed when he could catch his breath.
"Well, you're not a kitten," Amy observed matter of factly. With a sly grin on her face she added, "When I rub her belly, the snore turns to a purr." She put her hand on his chest, rubbing in a small circle.
It didn't make him want to purr, Buck decided. And before it made him want to do something neither of them was ready for he gently grabbed her hand. "Lucky kitten," he murmured. Trying to change the subject, he reached down and pulled a small trunk away from the wall. Kneeling in front of it he opened the lid and pointed inside. "My whole life is in here," he said. Well, that wasn't quite true - there was nothing of Amy in the trunk. Yet.
She knelt beside him in a swirl of silk and reached into the trunk. This promised glimpse into Buck's life had her very intrigued.
There weren't many items in the trunk, but the memories associated with each were dear. The self-portrait of Ike drawn just before his death, Ike's Littlest Cowboy book, and the McSwain family bible. The eagle feather he had been given after undergoing the trials to prove his Kiowa spirit. The beaded leather band from Jenny Tompkins, and a book of translated poetry from a French writer - the only tangible reminder of Kathleen Devlin. A couple of other books, a few letters. A headband with intricate beading and painting - the only thing he had left from his mother. And at the bottom, the hide shield that had summoned him to meet Red Bear the year before.
Some of the stories he'd already told her, but he explained each item as she pulled them out. And somewhere along the way, as more pieces of Buck's past fell into place, Amy lost the rest of her heart to him.
Later, they wandered out to the barn and he pointed out the fastest horses, the most stubborn - and the two latest arrivals that refused to be ridden.
Through it all he watched her closely, enjoying the easy smile that graced her face. It was good to see that Amy's earlier fears seemed to have disappeared. And he had to admit the night was going better than he had even dared to hope. When they'd been alone in the bunkhouse, sharing the scattered pieces of his past, he'd felt a connection to her he'd never imagined was possible.
It was both frightening and exciting.
They stood side by side behind the barn, watching the night sky. A shooting star sparkled across the velvety blackness and Buck felt Amy squeeze his hand a little tighter as they watched it sail on by. But then he felt her shiver in the growing night breeze, and he knew it was time to go.
"It's probably time to get back to the dance," he said, reluctant to let go of the moment.
Amy nodded slowly. She knew he was right - but she didn't want this moment to end either. "I suppose you're right," she said softly.
Buck slipped his jacket off and reached around to put it over her shoulders. As he did so he found himself with his arms around her, looking straight into her eyes. He'd promised himself he wouldn't push her, but he had to know. He leaned closer, feeling her soft breath quicken against his neck. "Amy, will you hit me if I kiss you?" he whispered.
She caught her breath, held it for a moment, then looked up and smiled. "I'm more likely to hit you if you don't kiss me," she whispered back.
He wrapped his arms around her, feeling her arms go tight against his back. Then he leaned in, met her lips with his, and the rest of the world ceased to exist.
"They've been gone a long time," Cody observed in between mouthfuls of cake.
"So?" Lou demanded.
"Nothin' - I'm just sayin' they've been gone a long time is all."
"I expect they've found something to do," Noah said with a grin.
Lou rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Men," she muttered as she walked off toward the punch bowl. Just for good measure she swatted Kid on the arm as she went by.
"Hey, I didn't even say anything," Kid protested.
Jimmy had an opinion on that. "I don't think it matters if you actually say anything or not, Kid. Bein' men seems to make us all guilty."
"That's very astute, Jimmy," Rachel said from behind them.
Jimmy just grinned and finished his piece of cake. He'd learned that arguing with women was very rarely a winning proposition. Better to just know that you were right - but keep quiet.
"Amy is a sweet girl," Rachel said, "and she's been through so much. So has Buck for that matter. I think it's wonderful if they can find some happiness with each other."
"Rachel, we're happy for them," Noah protested.
"Yeah, we're happy," Cody repeated. "Maybe a little jealous . . ."
"Speak for yourself, Cody," Kid said. Lou had just returned with her cup of punch, and he wrapped his arm around her. She'd finally agreed to marry him, and he couldn't imagine being any happier. If Buck could find the same happiness, so much the better.
"Speaking of the lost lovebirds," Teaspoon said, "I do believe I see them heading this way." He pointed down the street.
"Now, don't stare!" Rachel said, as all eyes turned to watch Buck and Amy approach hand in hand. But she had to look herself.
The smiles on their faces told her everything she needed to know.
Buck pulled the buckboard to a stop in front of Amy's house, sorry that the ride had to end. But he'd driven the horse just about as slowly as he could and still be moving forward. They hadn't even talked through most of the trip, rather just sat together in a comfortable silence.
He hopped down off the wagon and walked around to help Amy down. Her dress caught on the wheel and she stumbled into him - just lightly, but as he caught her the thought crossed his mind that he never wanted to let her go. Of course, they couldn't stand out by the wagon for the rest of the night, so he did finally release his grip on her arms.
He wondered if he was just imagining it, but he would have sworn he saw regret in her eyes too as they moved away.
Arm in arm they walked up to the house and stopped at the front door. Amy unlocked the door then turned back to Buck. "I had a wonderful time," she said. "I'm glad you made me go."
"I'm glad too. It was the best dance I've ever been to." He leaned in, searching out her lips, and they kissed, long and deep.
When they finally parted and took a breath, Amy put a hand out to his shoulder. "Buck, going to town tonight was a really big step for me. But you do understand that I still need to go slow, don't you?"
His mind raced, trying to figure out if he'd done something wrong. "Amy, if I've done something to make you uncomfortable . . ."
She put a finger over his lips, stopping him. "Buck, you haven't done anything wrong. I just need you to know, we need to go slow."
He realized he had been holding his breath and exhaled. "Amy, I would never do anything to hurt you."
"I know."
"If I ever push too fast or too far, you just have to tell me."
"I trust you, Buck." She leaned toward him, and they kissed again, but with a little less intensity this time.
"Good night, Amy," he whispered.
"Good night, Buck." She let go of his hand and entered the house, closing the door behind her.
Once inside, she fell back against the door, trembling. But this time it wasn't memories of the attack that were making her afraid.
It was the way he made her feel, and it was good. But it was also so powerful and sudden.
She smiled - hardly the worst problem she'd had to deal with!
Something pulled at her skirt and Amy looked down and laughed. A ball of gray and white fluff with long legs was lying on the floor, batting at the flowing folds of her skirt. Amy bent down and picked the kitten up, instantly rewarded with a deep purring sound. Holding the little animal close, she realized she finally knew the perfect name for the kitten. "I'm going to call you Hope," she whispered, getting nuzzled by a tiny cold, wet nose.
It was fitting. She held Hope in her arms, enjoying the kitten's contented purring. And for the first time in so long, she had hope in her heart too.
Once Amy had taken the first step back into the world, other steps came easier. She went into town to re-establish accounts with merchants, and set up new accounts. And she rode with Buck to some of the neighboring towns to set up deliveries of dairy goods from her ranch.
She even sat down with Teaspoon and Buck and relived the attack, describing everything she could remember of the men who had torn apart her life. Teaspoon put together descriptions of the wanted men and sent them out to neighboring towns with the riders.
The first group of hired help turned out to be experienced and helpful. Ben Harker had worked with dairy cows for more than twenty years. Older now, he was happy to move to a slightly smaller operation. But his experience in the field proved invaluable as Amy struggled to apply what she had read about dairy farming into the day-to-day reality of the work.
Pete
Jansen was much younger, but he had grown up on a farm in
Digger Jones was the third man hired. His background was filled with just about every job imaginable, from trapping and mining to driving a stagecoach to running a dry goods store. Perhaps best of all, he could cook up a storm and happily took on the role of cook for the growing enterprise.
When Buck wasn't on a mail run or doing his share of chores at the station he was at Amy's, helping wherever he could. Somewhat to his surprise, but much to his delight, none of the other men seemed to much mind his Kiowa heritage. They taught him about dairy farms, and he shared his knowledge of the land around Rock Creek.
His relationship with Amy continued to grow. They went slow, as she had requested, but every day he saw her he loved her a little more. And as far as he could tell, she felt the same way. All in all, life was very good.
Until
she said she was leaving for
Oh, not for good. She just needed to arrange for some equipment that they'd need when the next part of the herd arrived. But it would be two weeks without seeing her or holding her. Two weeks that would seem like an eternity.
They lay in the tall grass, on a hill overlooking the farm. A stand of trees helped hide their horses from detection by the men working down below.
Baxter blew on his hands, rubbing them together briskly to get some warmth and feeling back. It was a crisp, cool autumn day, and they'd been almost motionless for some time. Finally he turned to the man next to him and asked, "Well? You seen her yet?"
Abe Holling sighed and lowered his field glass. "If I seen her, I'd say so," he answered, annoyed. It was at least the tenth time Baxter had asked.
Baxter could hear the rebuke in the other man's voice, but he didn't care. "Abe, she could get us hung. I got a right to be worried."
"We can handle it," Holling replied.
"I thought we handled it when we was here before," Baxter insisted. "Now it turns out she's not only alive, she's got the Marshal of Rock Creek sending out questions about us."
"But they don't know it's us," Abe pointed out. "All they got is a couple of first names."
"Yeah, they got my name! And Gus, and Charlie."
Holling
turned toward the other man, fixing him with an icy glare. "They got nothing
- you hear me, nothing! You think you're the only 'Isaac' in the world? Or there's
no other 'Gus' around?" Charlie had been killed in a freak wagon accident
a few months back. And the fifth man, Brad Wills, had taken off for
"They had our descriptions, Abe," Baxter retorted. "And they knew to send it to Hollington."
Holling was really trying to be patient. "They sent it to all the towns in the area," he said. "Ain't no one else going to put it together with us. And since I run things in Hollington, I don't guess we'll get any trouble there." Ever since his father had been slowed by a seizure last spring, Abe had run things in Hollington. He collected the "protection" fees from the businesses, he made the decisions for the town, and he owned the Sheriff.
They both turned then as they heard a horse approaching. They relaxed when they recognized Gus Carter as the rider.
Abe approached him as the rider stopped. "Well?"
"She ain't here," Gus reported as he dismounted. "I asked around real casual, just like you said Abe. Said I was wondering if the dairy farm was still hiring. The shopkeeper said he didn't know nothin' about that, but the owner was out of town, sounds like it could be for a while."
"Damn!" Baxter swore as he kicked at a rock. "Now what?"
Abe considered for a moment, then he smiled. "Now, we go back to Hollington. And we wait." He saw Baxter start to argue but he quickly continued. "She don't know who we are, and with me ownin' the law in Hollington, she ain't gonna find out there. So, all we gotta do is wait. And then in a little while we'll come back to Rock Creek." He took a few steps back toward the top of the hill and looked down at the house. "I figure she's good for some more fun by now. And then when we're done, we make good and sure she's really done for this time."