Chapter Thirty-one
The cooler breeze blowing across his body caused Ike to wake up. He glanced at the sky and noticed the darkening clouds. He quickly woke Sky Chaser. They dressed and then woke Buck and Little Fawn.

Ike helped Buck while Little Fawn dressed. They then began the walk back home. Once there, they enjoyed some of the food left by the others as the sky opened up and the rain began to fall.

“I guess you won’t be leaving this afternoon,” Buck said.

Ike glanced at Sky Chaser. *Can we afford to wait until the rain stops?*

She shrugged. *I would have to ask Father,* she said. *Perhaps he and Smiling Dove could return and we could go later.*

Ike glanced over at Buck before answering. *I don’t think that would be a good idea,* he said. *I’m not sure how safe the two of them would be traveling alone.*

Sky Chaser nodded. *I will go talk to Father,* she said.

Buck stood. “Let me,” he said. “I need to speak to him about other things as well.” He kissed Little Fawn. “Do you wish to talk to your mother?”

She nodded.

Buck took her hand and helped her stand. “Let us go now,” he said. “The rain is slowing.”

They made their way over to Rachel’s home. She greeted them and showed them into the parlor. Smiling Dove and Red Bear joined them.

“How long can you be away?”

“We can stay one more day,” Red Bear answered. “I do not wish to be gone much longer.”

Buck nodded. “I understand,” he said. He then glanced at Little Fawn. “Would you mind going with me to the porch? I think Little Fawn wishes to have some time alone with Smiling Dove.”

Red Bear nodded. “It would be good for them to have some time alone.” He stood and went with Buck to the swing on the porch.

As they sat, Buck said, “I am sorry I could not stay in the village. I just do not seem to fit in there as well as I do here.”

Red Bear nodded. “I am sorry to have to agree with you,” he said. “It would not be safe for you in the village; Laughing Crow will continue to try and harm you. I cannot stop him.”

Buck nodded. “I was more worried that he would go after Little Fawn.” He sighed. “I’m just glad you understand; I would hate for you to be disappointed in me.”

Red Bear reached over and embraced Buck. “I could never be disappointed in you, Running Buck. You have always made me proud.” He let Buck go and sat back looking across the yard.

After a few minutes, Red Bear said, “I only wish there was a way for us to see each other again.”

“I do not plan on never seeing you again,” Buck said. “Little Fawn and I will come to visit.”

Red Bear shook his head. “You cannot,” he said. “I have already told you that I cannot protect you from Laughing Crow.”

Buck moved so that Red Bear had to face him. “I do not need you to protect me,” he said. “Once I am well, I can protect myself. Besides,” he added, “I refuse to tell Little Fawn that she can never again see her family, and I won’t cut myself off from Silent Wolf forever.”

Red Bear started to argue, but after seeing the determined look in Buck’s eyes realized that it was futile. He simply nodded. “Just promise you will always be careful when you come.”

Buck smiled as he realized that he’d won the argument. “I promise,” he said as he embraced his brother. “So,” he said as he sat back next to Red Bear, “when do you leave?”

As the rain started to fall once more, Red Bear studied the sky. “I think this will be over by evening,” he said. “I would like to leave early in the morning; I’ve already been gone longer than I originally planned.”

Buck nodded. “I will tell Silent Wolf and Sky Chaser to prepare for their journey.” He stood and made his way to the house to check on Little Fawn.

As he opened the door, he almost collided with her. “I was coming to find you,” he said.

She smiled. “I had a nice visit with my mother, thank you for giving me a chance to tell her good-bye.”

Buck took her hand in his. “Did she tell you that they are leaving in the morning?”
Little Fawn nodded. “She is ready to go home,” she said. “She misses my father and brother.” She laughed softly. “She also said that she is bored with nothing to do here.”

Buck laughed with her. “I understand how she feels,” he said. “I remember when I first left the village, I felt the same way. There was much of the day spent doing nothing; it took some getting used to before it felt right.”

The couple stood on the porch watching the rain fall. Buck moved his arm so that it was around Little Fawn’s waist. She leaned her head on his shoulder. After a few minutes, she said, “Let’s go home.”

Buck smiled as he let her go and stepped off the porch. He turned and once more took her by the hand as he helped her down. They then began the short walk across the yard – lost in the pleasure of each other and the comfort of the cool rain on their skin.

By the time they made it back to the bunk house, they were both soaked to the skin. They entered the building laughing, and quickly shed their clothing. It didn’t take long for them to make their way to the smaller room they shared and to once more start exploring the joys of marriage.