Chapter Thirteen
A few minutes later, Buck was once more seated in the buffalo robes talking with Ike. He was waiting for clothing to be brought so he could go outside and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. After spending a little bit of time talking about a lot of nothing, Ike finally asked, *You really mean that about going home?*

Buck nodded. “Why wouldn’t I?” he asked.

*I was just thinking that after the other day, you might consider staying here. Things are bound to be different since Red Bear knows the truth about the way it really was.*

Buck’s eyes opened wider. “I hadn’t thought about that,” he said. He then dropped his gaze as he contemplated a totally different future.

Ike took a deep breath and managed to get Buck’s attention. *So, now, do you still want to go home?*

Buck nodded. “Even if I just go to say good-bye,” he said softly. “I need to go back. I can’t just disappear.”

Ike nodded and struggled to keep his feelings from showing. He didn’t want Buck to go back to a life where he wasn’t happy, but he also didn’t want to lose him. *You have any idea when you’ll know?*

Buck reached over and touched Ike’s cheek. “I’ll never leave you,” he said. “Not until I know there’s someone to be there for you. You know that, don’t you?”

Ike nodded. *I just get scared,* he said. *I don’t want to be alone again.*

Buck moved so that he could embrace Ike. “Have you ever considered staying here?” he asked. “I know you would be welcomed; Red Bear thinks highly of you, as does his daughter.”

Ike moved to put a bit of space between them. He studied Buck’s face to see if he was teasing. He wasn’t. *Really?*

Buck nodded. “I will speak to him about us both staying if you want.”

Ike shook his head. *Not just yet,* he said. *Why don’t we wait and see how things go for the rest of your recovery? That way if things don’t change from the way they were before, you won’t upset Red Bear by leaving.*

Buck smiled. “That sounds like a good plan,” he said. “I think we should both explore how life here would be.” He glanced out the door to where the women were busily preparing the next meal. “I know how I’d like to spend a bit of my recovery time.”

Ike followed his gaze. He wondered exactly how one went about ‘courting’ in a Kiowa village. He decided to ask – after all, if he was going to stay here, he wasn’t planning on being alone forever.

Getting Buck’s attention, Ike asked, *Can you teach me how to properly woo a Kiowa maiden?*

Buck laughed. “I’d be happy to,” he said. “Maybe we can do it together; I know the young ladies are friends.”