OCTOBER 19, 1861

Charlie, Grace, Adriane, and Paul were all sitting around the supper table trying to come up with a good wedding gift. They talked about all the other gifts they had heard about.  "I would give Caly her wedding dress for her wedding present, but she's using her mother's, so I can't do that." Grace said.

"Well, how about a free meal at the restaurant?" Paul asked.

"You know, Paul, that is a great idea." Charlie said. "I think we will do that."

The kids hadn't met Buck, so they didn't know that he was half Kiowa. And the next day when Caly was working at the Silver Spoon, Buck came to see Caly.

"We don't serve your kind." Paul said bluntly. Charlie over heard this and went to see what was going on. Buck was stunned and all he could say was, "Excuse me?"

Charlie interrupted, "Paul, what's wrong?"

"This savage was trying to come into our restaurant."

"This savage, as you call him, is one of my best friends and is Caly's fianc�e. I'd like to talk to you in my office." When Paul didn't move, Charlie urged him on, "Go on, I'll be there in a minute."

Paul couldn't believe his ears; Charlie was going to let that murderer in his restaurant!  How could he?!

"Buck, I'm really sorry about that. Paul and Adriane's parents were killed by Indians, and they just think that every Indian is to blame. I'm going to talk to him about it right now.   Explain how you're not a part of the group of Indians that killed his parents."

"It's all right, Charlie, I think I can understand. Let me talk to him alright?"

"OK."

Buck entered the office and Paul tensed up. 

"I understand that your parents were killed by some Indians." The boy nodded. "My mother was raped by a white man. Are you responsible for that?"

Paul shook his no. "How could I be? I wasn't even born yet."

"Exactly. And I was no where around when your parents were killed, so how could I be responsible for your parents' death?" Buck asked and then left.

After Buck left the office, he and Caly had lunch together at a small table for two.

Charlie went into the office and tried to explain how Buck was not like the Indians, Paul had encountered.

Paul wasn't sure about all that he had heard about Buck. He would have to keep a close eye on him. Melissa soon came to get him for their riding lesson. 

He asked Melissa about Buck and got the same story Charlie had told him. Buck was a very nice young man.