Buck had ridden out to the ranch to see how Caly was doing. He was worried about her, but he couldn't seem to forget how Vanessa reacted when he paid to switch her and Corey back. He knew he could talk to Caly more openly about things than with the other riders. They wouldn't understand why it bothered him. They cared, but didn't understand how he was hurt by her reaction.

As he rode into the yard, he saw Caly standing at the corral watching the new foal playing. Dismounting, he walked up behind her, "Hey, Caly. You glad to be home?"

Caly jumped at first and turned, "Oh, Buck, you startled me. Yes I�m glad to be home, but being out at the station was fun. What brings you out here today?" Caly realized that she was talking fast. She just smiled at his puzzled look.

Buck couldn't help but laugh at her uneasiness, "I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to see how you were."

Caly noticed something was bothering him. Taking the reigns to his horse, she tied Wind Dancer to the corral. "Lets go sit on the porch and talk. I know something's bothering you."

Buck nodded and followed her to the porch. They sat there for a few minutes just enjoying each other's company. Caly turned to Buck, "Okay spill. What�s up?"

Buck looked at his friend. He knew she was in love with him, but she was also his friend. Taking a deep breath, he told Caly everything that happened with Vanessa. How they got to be friends, the fact that she didn't like her real job, and her reaction when he switched Corey back to the barber shop and her back to the bordello. He also explained that he wasn't really thinking when he paid for Vanessa to go back to the bordello. He knew she didn't like the bordello, but at the time, he wasn't thinking. He just didn't want Meg to have any trouble with the baby. It had upset her when she found out that Corey had been switched to work there, and he had promised Luke that he would take care of Meg for him. He knew Meg was having pains by worrying herself over it, and he didn't want anything to happen to her or the baby.

Caly listened then said. "I bet she didn't mean it. She was upset. Anyone who knows you, knows you wouldn't think that about someone. " Caly paused for a minute. Then continued, "I have to go into town in awhile maybe I can stop by and talk to her?"

Buck thought about it then said, "I really don't think you should be in the bordello, Caly."

Caly laughed, "Don't worry. I won't go inside. I'll talk to her on the porch, okay?"

Buck nodded knowing he couldn't talk her out of something she set her mind on doing. "Okay, even though I don't like it."

Caly smiled and patted his leg. "Still protecting me, huh?"

Buck nodded "Can't help it. You�re my friend."

"Thank you. It's nice to know someone's looking out for me."

Buck nodded his head and stood. "I'd better let you get ready to go into town."

Caly stood and said, "Why don't you help me saddle Star, and we can ride a little ways together like old times."

"All right, let's go." Buck replied and headed for the barn.

They saddled Star laughing then leaving the barn Buck untied Wind Dancer and mounted up. Caly mounted up and they galloped out of the yard.

They rode and talked till they got to the turn for the station. They split up making sure they would talk again soon. As Buck watched Caly ride towards town he did feel better after having talked to her. She always seemed to make him feel better. Then he turned Wind Dancer and headed for the station.

**********

Caly rode into town. She stopped in front of the boutique, dismounted and tied Star to the post. Before opening the door she looked over at the bordello and decided to try and talk with Vanessa first.

Walking over to the bordello, she stopped before the steps. Taking a deep breath, Caly waked up onto the porch. Walking to the door, she saw Vanessa coming down the stairs. She walked in, "Vanessa, can I talk to you on the porch, please?"

Vanessa looked at the girl and then said, "Well, okay. Make it fast I don't have a lot of free time."

The two of them walked out onto the porch. Caly sat on the rail and said, "I'm Caly, a friend of Buck's. He told me about what happened when he switched you back. I'd like to explain his actions to you."

Vanessa looked at the girl. She had heard the stories about the girl that had been kidnapped and beaten. Shrugging her shoulders, she said, "Explain what to me. He thinks I'm a whore and his precious Corey didn't belong here."

Caly sat up, "Vanessa, listen to me, please. Buck doesn't think of you that way. He only paid to switch you and Corey back because of Meg. He hated for you to go back here. He thinks you�re a bright young lady, who is his friend. He just has this problem of acting before he really thinks things through sometimes. This was one of them. Meg was starting to have pains, and he was worried that something was going wrong with her and the baby, and he promised Luke that he would take care of Meg. So he was only doing what he thought he should do. He does that for his friends. When one friend is in trouble he kind of forgets about the rest of us. I think most men have that trouble though."

Venessa sat there thinking then said, "Really? He didn't tell me."

"You didn't give him a chance to. He told me that you were mad and left. He's a caring person. Give him another chance, and I would like to be your friend, too."

Venessa laughed, "You? What? Why would a rich girl like you want to be my friend? As for Buck, I'll talk to him. "

"Yes me. So my father has money. I see someone who is doing a job she hates and wants friends. I would like to be your friend," she smiled. "Besides, I know the other riders real well. They are all good guys and would love to get to know the real you. What do you say?"

Vanessa nodded, "Alright, I don't want to be pitted."

"No pity here just friendship." Caly extended her hand as a sign.

Vanessa shook it and smiled. "Well, I better get back to work. I hope you'll stop by again real soon."

Caly nodded, "I sure will. Maybe we can do lunch someday?" Vanessa nodded and headed back inside.

Caly stood and headed back towards the boutique. When Charlie spotted her and called to her, Caly stopped and turned around. "Charlie, it�s nice to see you again. "

Charlie met her in the street. "I was wondering if I could talk to you a minute?"

"Sure what about?"

"Let me buy you lunch while I talk with you."

Caly nodded, "Sure, I could use lunch." Charlie smiled and offered her his arm and led her over to the restaurant.

After they gave their order to Lilly, Charlie said, "Caly, I know you and I don't know each other very well, but I would like to get to know you better. And I was wondering if you would like to go the Halloween party with me?"

Caly was a bit taken back by what Charlie just said. She hadn't been asked out by anyone other than Buck. Well, Buck's probably going with Corey. Since he paid for her to switch back with Venessa in the job switch, she thought. She smiled as she replied, "I would love to go with you, but you have to go ask my father's permission."

He gave her a charming smile and said, "He told me to ask you. He said it was ok as long as you wanted to go with me. I offered for him to chaperone, but I think he said something about Buck being our chaperone instead."

Caly knew that she would be completely safe with Buck along. She returned Charlie's smile. "That's perfect. Buck's my best friend, but I do trust you, Charlie."

Charlie smiled his thanks. They sat and enjoyed each other's company. Caly was beginning to see the real Charlie under the image he showed everyone else. She knew she was comfortable with Charlie as long as others were around. She was still uneasy with being alone with anyone except Buck, her father, brother and the other riders.

As Caly finished her meal, Charlie stood and offered his arm saying, "Why don't we go over to the boutique and pick out our costumes?"

Caly stood and took his arm and answered, "Sure, I would like that."

They walked over to the boutique. Grace walked over to greet them. "Hello, how may I help you? I'm Grace."

"This is Caly and I'm Charlie. We were hoping you still had some costumes left for the party."

Grace smiled, "I sure do. Here's the list."

Charlie smiled as he saw a character that fit his personality almost perfectly, "How about I go as Sir Lancelot and you could go as a medieval lady."

"That�s perfect. I love the story of Lancelot." Caly commented.

"Alright, Sir Lancelot and his lady it is. Let me get your measurements. " Grace said. After Grace took both of their measurements, she said, "I will have them ready in a few days."

"That's great." Charlie answered as he opened the door for Caly.

Caly smiled and waved to Grace as they left the shop. As they stepped out onto the boardwalk, Charlie lead her over to where she left Star tied up. He helped her mount up and said, "I'll be out around five to pick you up."

Caly smiled, "That will be great. Thank you. I'll see you then." She waved as she turned Star towards home and waved to him.

**********

The next day, Caly was out riding when she came across Buck. "Hello, Buck, what are up to today?" She asked.

Buck hoped she didn't have a date for the party. "I was looking for you. I had something to ask you."

Caly nodded. "Alright ask away."

"I was wondering if you would like to go to the Halloween Party with me?"

Caly bit her lip, "Well I . . . I . . . have a date. Charlie asked me yesterday. I'm sorry. I thought you were going with Corey." Caly felt bad but she had never hid anything from Buck except her feelings for him.

Buck smiled back. He knew that someday others would find her pretty and ask her to things. He felt jealous, but he wasn't going to show Caly that. "Oh that's okay." Not wanting to let Caly know she was his second choice for the party he decided not to tell her that he overheard Dean ask Corey when he went to ask her. He continued, "Will you at least save me a dance or two?"

Caly's smile brightened, "You can count on it. I couldn't miss dancing with my best friend."

Buck smiled. "Thank you. Well, I better head back now. "

Caly nodded and smiled. Before she headed back home, she turned and waved to him.

Buck smiled and rode back to the station feeling a bit jealous that she and Corey were going to the Halloween Party with someone else.