Caly was busy getting ready for her special supper she was fixing for Buck. Steven came into the kitchen and smiled, "Baby I don't know if I told you, but the night of the dance you looked beautiful. Each day you look more like your mother."

"Thanks poppa. I wish momma was here now. I think she would like Buck." Caly replied as she hugged her pa.

He hugged her back, "I know she would have. Any one that makes you happy would make her happy."

Michael stood in the doorway listening. He didn't like the fact that Buck and Caly were together now. He headed for the barn to saddle Bear. He headed for the station to confront Buck.

Caly was packing some food for them. "I don't think you'll get hungry tonight poppa. I hope the cow and calf make it."

"I'm sure they will be fine. What are you plans for tonight?"

Caly's smile lit up her face. "Bucks coming over for supper. I'm make it special for his birthday."

"I'm glad you two are together. Have fun tonight." Steven said as he hugged her and grabbed the food and coffee she had fixed for him and headed out to saddle King.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Michael rode into the station. He saw Buck heading for the barn, "BUCK!!!!!" Michael called to him.

Buck turned and smiled at him, "Something wrong? Is Caly okay?"

"She�s fine. But I don't like the fact that you are seeing her." He pushed Buck, and Buck stumbled backwards a few steps and then he dodged a punch Michael threw out at him.

"Michael, what�s going on with you. I love your sister. I wouldn't do anything to hurt her."

"You�re taking her from me." Michael said as he threw another punch that connected this time.

Buck fell back against the corral fence covering his eye. He had enough. He grabbed Michael and backed him up against the barn door. "Listen to me Michael. I'm not taking Caly from you. You have to let her grow up. She still loves you and will be there for you. You're the one who isn't there for her. You're always with Melissa or Jesse."

Michael stopped fighting him when he realized that Buck was right. "I never thought of it that way. Caly's really never had any one before besides me and pa. I don't want her hurt."

"I won't hurt her. It took me a long time to realize that I love her. She�s too special to hurt. You acting this way is what's hurting her."

Michael nodded knowing Buck was right. "It�s just hard to share her is all. I've had her to myself for so long." Giving him a slight grin when he looked up at Buck. "Looks like you are at her mercy with that black eye."

Buck nodded, "I guess so. Not that I mind."

Michael smiled and mounted Bear and rode off towards home.

Buck returned to the bunkhouse and looked in the mirror, "Great, what a way to go to dinner. " He shrugged and went to saddle Wind Dancer.

While the chicken was cooking Caly went to change. Looking through her closet she found the prefect dress. Quickly dressing and fixing her hair she grabbed the gift that she had got for Buck and headed down stairs. She went about making sure everything was just perfect for when Buck got there.

As Buck rode up, he waved to Steven and Michael and they headed for the higher pasture. They waved back. Steven noticed Buck�s black eye. Turning to Michael. "That's your doing isn't it?"

Michael nodded, "Yes sir. I was trying to keep him from Caly."

"Son your sister will always be there for you. There�s no need to attack her beau."

"Yes sir. Buck made me see that I'm the one that doesn't have time for Caly. I'm glad she has a beau. She was happy at the dance."

"I bet she was. I know Buck is good for her."

Michael nodded in agreement. They arrived in the pasture just as the cow was starting to have her calf. They spent most of the night helping the cow deliver her baby.

Buck dismounted and tied Wind Dancer to the rail. He climbed the stairs and knocked on the door. He couldn't believe how pretty she looked. She wore a form fitting light blue blouse and dark blue skirt. "Hello, Caly."

Caly smiled, "Hello, Buck. Come in supper�s almost ready." She stepped aside to let him in.

Buck walked in and removed his hat. He knew when she saw his eye she was going to be upset.

Caly shut the door. As she turned she noticed Buck�s eye. "What happened, Buck?" Making him sit while she got a cloth and some ice from the icebox. "Here put this on your eye."

Buck did as she bid. "Actually Michael gave it to me."

"Man I'm going to get him. He knows better." Caly steamed as she checked on supper.

Buck put the cloth down and went to her. Taking her hands and turning her to look at him. He gently lifted her chin so she could see his face. "He was only protecting you."

"He knows you would never hurt me," Caly said quietly as she brushed his hair from his face.

Buck smiled at her protectiveness of him. "I'm fine. Don't be mad at him. I think I got through to him."

Caly nodded, "Okay. Supper�s about ready."

Before she could finish Buck leaned down and kissed her.

She had dreamed of this for a long time. Now here it was and she was unable to think clearly. She leaned back and bumped into the stove. Breaking the kiss, "Sorry I forgot how close I was to it."

Buck smiled, "It�s okay."

They set the table. Buck watched as Caly hurried about the kitchen. He knew he had made the right choice. She put supper on the table. He pulled out her chair for her. Just as she sat down she reached for his gift. When he wasn't looking she slipped it into his plate.

Taking his seat Buck spotted the gift, "What�s this?"

Caly smiled, "For your birthday silly. I know you don't know the date. Indians do it by seasons. Some of the others figured today seemed to fit you. Go on open it."

Buck nodded, "Okay." He opened the brown wrapper. When he read the title of the book he smiled. "Poems. Oh, Caly, I love them. You are too good to me."

Taking his hand, "It�s nothing much. I love giving you things. You have done so much for me this last year. My love for you has grown even more. How about we read some after super?"

Buck smiled and nodded, "Alright. Anything for the girl I love."

She dished up the food and they ate. They were enjoying their time alone. After supper was finished they did the dishes together. Then went out onto the side porch and sat on the swing to watch the sunset. Buck wrapped his arm around her. Caly snuggled close and laid her head on his shoulder. They sat there and forgot about the book that lay nearby. They were happy right like this.

Caly looked up, "Happy Birthday, Buck."

He smiled back. "Thank you. I couldn't have had a better one. I have a good job, good friends and a special girl." Then he pulled her close. Buck looked at her, "How about a ride?'

Caly nodded sitting up, "Sure let me saddle Star." Buck stopped her before she could stand, "No please. I was hoping you would ride with me."

Caly smiled. "Oh, I would love to." They headed for his horse. Helping her mount sidesaddle. He mounted behind her. They rode towards town a ways. They ran into someone new. "Hello, I'm Buck. This is Caly. You must be new in town."

"Hello I'm Jake Fresno. Yes, I'm new in town. I just arrived a few hours ago."

Caly leaned back against Buck. He put a protective arm around her waist. He knew she still didn't trust men easy anymore. "Well, I better get her home it�s getting late."

Jake tipped his hat and nodded. "See ya both around." Buck nodded then turned Wind Dancer back to the ranch. They settled back on the swing. While watching the sunset Buck knew he needed to get back to the station. "Caly, I hate to leave, but I should before it gets to dark."

Caly nodded, "I know I just hate that you have to go."

"So do I." Buck said as he stood and helped Caly to her feet. Taking her hand they walked to his horse.

Caly grabbed the book as she passed it. As he mounted up Caly put it in his saddlebag. He leaned down giving her a quick kiss. "See you tomorrow."

Caly smiled. "Alright, ride safe."

Buck nodded and rode off. Caly watched till he disappeared then she turned and went inside.