Chapter Twenty-eight
The trip to Rock Creek took a little over two days. A little after noon, Ike rode into the yard of the old way station. It had been decided that he would go in alone in order to prepare Teaspoon and Rachel for their visitors.

“How many?” Rachel asked as she entered the room and caught the end of Ike’s statement to Teaspoon about unexpected guests.

Ike replied, *Counting Buck and me, there are six of us.*

“Who did you say they were?” asked Teaspoon.

*I didn’t,* Ike said.

“You going to tell us, or do we need to wait until everyone is here?” Rachel asked as she sat down next to Teaspoon on the couch.

*I think it would be best to introduce you once they are here,* he said. *It will be much easier that way.*

Teaspoon nodded. “How far away are they?”

*Just a few minutes. I’ll go get them and be right back.* Ike stood and left.

As they watched him go, Rachel turned to Teaspoon. “He’s not telling us something,” she said.

Teaspoon agreed. “At least one of those boys isn’t staying,” he said. “I’m just not sure which, or if it’s both.”

Rachel gasped. “You really think they’d both leave?”

Teaspoon nodded. “I’d bet my life on it,” he said. “At least one of them has decided that life in the village is better.”

A few minutes later, he was proven correct as Ike brought in the small group of people traveling with him. He quickly introduced Teaspoon and Rachel, and then helped Buck to stand.

Once Buck was steady, Ike moved so Red Bear, Smiling Dove, Little Fawn, and Sky Chaser could see him. He then translated as Buck explained to Teaspoon and Rachel.

Buck placed his hand on Red Bear’s shoulder. “This is my brother, Red Bear,” he said. “He wished to meet my white family.”

Teaspoon shook the Kiowa’s hand, and Rachel kissed him on the cheek. “It is a pleasure to meet you,” she said.

Buck moved to Sky Chaser. “This is Red Bear’s daughter, Sky Chaser. She is studying to be a healer, and came to be sure I was well tended on the trip.” He glanced at Ike who simply nodded. “Ike has asked permission to court her, and Red Bear has agreed.”

Rachel hugged the young woman. Teaspoon waited until Red Bear nodded at him, and then he hugged her also. “You won’t be disappointed with Ike,” Teaspoon told them. “He’s a good man.”

Ike blushed as he translated. He smiled his thanks at Teaspoon.

Buck moved to stand beside Smiling Dove. “This is Smiling Dove,” he continued. “She came to meet you and see where it is that her daughter, Little Fawn, will be living because,” he quickly moved to place his arms around Little Fawn, “this is my wife. We were married a few days ago.” He kissed Little Fawn’s cheek when he finished.

Rachel came and hugged them both. “Does that mean you plan on staying with us?” she asked.

Buck nodded. “If you’ll have us,” he said. “If you wish us to leave…”

“Nonsense,” said Teaspoon. “There’s no way I’m letting both of my best deputies go. We’ll be happy for you to live here just like you were before. With a little bit of work, that old bunk house will make a perfect home for the two of you,” he winked at Buck, “and as many little ones as you decide to bring into this world.”

Buck smiled his appreciation at the welcome his family was being given. He then turned to Rachel. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble,” he said, “Little Fawn and I would like very much to have a ‘proper’ wedding for the white world. We want to fit in as much as possible.”

Rachel nodded as she once more hugged the couple. “I could get something ready in a couple of days if the others want to stay.”

After Ike translated, Smiling Dove spoke quietly to Red Bear and then nodded. “We would like that very much,” she said.

It was decided that Smiling Dove and Sky Chaser would stay in Buck’s room while Ike and Red Bear stayed in Ike’s. The newlyweds would be given the guest room at the main house. Once everyone was settled in, the group gathered on the porch of Rachel’s home. When Teaspoon had to go into town, Ike and Buck went with him so the doctor could give Buck a quick examination.

After getting a clean bill of health from the doctor, Buck made his way to Teaspoon’s office to wait for Ike to finish the errands he needed to run before they could head home.
“Mind if I ask you a personal question?” Teaspoon said after they’d passed a few minutes filling the time with small talk.

Buck shook his head.

“Why is it that you decided to come back when Ike decided to stay? I mean I can understand his deciding to stay.”

“Really?”

Teaspoon nodded. “Remember that I’ve spent a fair amount of time living with Indians,” he said. “Once they accept you, skin color don’t matter. That’s one of the things I admire about them.”

Buck simply nodded.

Teaspoon continued, “So, once he won them over with his loyalty, bravery, and charm it would be natural for them to accept him as one of their own. Bet they even gave him a name.”

“Silent Wolf,” Buck said.

Teaspoon nodded. “Good name,” he said. “So, once he knows he’s welcomed, it’s only a matter of time before he realizes that communicating with the Kiowa is a whole bunch easier than it is here. Then there’s that pretty young lady that’s caught his eye, and obviously feels the same way about him…”

Buck laughed softly.

“So,” Teaspoon continued, “that brings us back to my question.”

Buck sighed. “Unfortunately,” he said, “I am not accepted as well as Ike; as good as the Kiowa are at seeing past his color, they are stubborn about seeing past mine. I am still too white.”

Teaspoon placed a hand on Buck’s shoulder. “I’m sorry you have to deal with that, Son.” He waited a bit before probing, “But why come back. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you decided to, but it’s not like you’re the most popular person in town.”

Buck nodded. “Here, people say things, but they don’t actually try to hurt me.”

“Something happened?”

“One of the other warriors tried to hurt both Little Fawn and myself. Fortunately, Red Bear was able to stop him, but it would only be a matter of time before he would try again. We decided that we didn’t wish to live in fear of him.”

Teaspoon nodded. “I’m sorry you had to go through that, but I’m glad you felt enough at ease to come back here. I don’t think Rachel or I could have handled losing you both.”