Chapter 1
By Jocelyne

Lou stepped out onto the porch of the bunkhouse at the sound of an approaching rider. She saw the rider coming and called out "Rider coming!" Ike came running out of the bunkhouse because the rider wasn't due for an hour yet.

Ike sat waiting for the hand off. As the rider got closer they saw that it was Buck. Rachel was on the porch of the main house. She turned to the young women on the swing saying, "That is Buck. You will meet him at supper. He’s not as wild as Jimmy, or Cody. He’s quite like Ike and Kid. Lets go get you into some clothes for life around here."

They turned and headed into the house and then headed up the stairs. As they climbed the stairs Rachel said, "So Sarah how long did you talk your father into letting you stay here?"

Across the yard at the bunkhouse, Buck was asking Lou, "Who is that with Rachel?"

Lou smiled to herself and said, "I'm not sure. All Rachel said was that her name is Sarah. She would tell us more at supper. You better get cleaned up. Supper should be ready soon."

Both women walked over to the trunk that Sarah had brought with her. They started going through the clothes and putting them in the wardrobe. Rachel turned around saying, "I think we better get some material to make you some dresses that are more suitable for out here. I think this one will work for now. I'll meet you down stairs. It’s almost time to start supper but I want to talk first."

She left and Sarah walked over to the window looking out toward the bunkhouse. Just then Buck came out of the bunkhouse and went to the barn. She watched him till he disappeared into the barn. A few minutes later she came down stairs. Rachel had just poured some lemonade for them. They sat down and started to talk.

Sarah said, "Thank you Aunt Rachel for letting me come out here and stay with you for awhile. I need time to think before I decide whether or not to marry the man my father says I have to marry."

Looking at her niece as she went to pour them some more lemonade, "Tell me about this man. Do you love him?" Rachel asked as she sat back down.

"Well I don't know if I love him or not. He’s a rich banker and will treat me well, but I can't stand to be near him. I guess then that I don't love him. I just want someone who will love me for me and not for my father’s money." Taking Rachel’s hands she started crying.

Rachel moved closer to her niece and hugged her saying, "Oh sweetie your father loves you. But you do deserve someone who will love you for you." Standing up she said, "Well, we better get supper started before the boys burn the bunkhouse down trying to do it themselves.

As they walked across the yard and entered the bunkhouse. Rachel turned to Cody seated at the table cleaning his gun saying, "Cody can you go get me some potatoes out of the cellar?"

Rising Cody said, "Sure thing Rachel." As he came toward the door, the two women turned around and went back to the house to start preparing for supper. As they entered the house, Sarah said, "So that’s Cody, right!

Rachel said with out looking up, "Oh, honey, don't think he's the one for you. He will only break your heart. He’s so wild and careless. I don’t want you to get your heart broke. Why don't you go ring the bell for supper and watch out they will run you over."

As she was walking out onto the porch she ran right into Buck. She fell to the floor and he knelt down to help her up. As she reached for his hand their eyes met and she blushed. After he helped her to her feet he said, "Excuse me, miss! I didn't see you there.

With down cast eyes she said, "Supper's ready!" Then she rang the bell. She saw all of them come running. Buck grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her against him out of the way. After the stamping herd went by, they walked in.

As they reached the table Buck said, "Take my seat." After pushing Cody over, Buck then went and sat in Ike’s spot.

After Rachel sat down and before the food was passed around she said, "Boys this is my niece, Sarah, from New York. She has come for a visit and maybe to stay. Turning to Cody saying, "This is Cody, Jimmy, Kid, Lou and Buck and Ike is on a run he'll be back tomorrow." Just then the door opened and she said, "And this one who is late again is Teaspoon Hunter. Teaspoon this is my niece, Sarah."

"Hi there, Miss Sarah. Hope the boys weren't giving you any trouble," Teaspoon replies as he tips his hat.

Smiling back Sarah said, "Well, Buck was sweet. He pulled me out of the way of the stamping herd of hungry boys." Everyone laughed. Buck blushed and with downcast eyes Sarah was blushing too. Supper was noisier then Sarah could ever remember.

As Rachel started clearing dishes from the table, Sarah grabbed a plate and started to help. Rachel grabbed it from her saying, "Would one of you boys like to show her around?"

All they boys stood up and started talking at once. Just then Teaspoon said, "Buck you are quiet. Why don't you show Sarah around!"

Buck looked up and said, "Would you like to start with the horses?"

Still blushing, Sarah looked up saying, "I would love to see them." They walked out of the bunkhouse and headed for the corral. Everyone was on the porch watching them. As they reached the corral Sarah turned to Buck and said, "Tell me about yourself."

Smiling Buck said, "Well, there’s not much to tell. I'm what people out here, call a half-breed. My mother was a Kiowa, and she was raped when some white men raided our village. I am the result of white man’s greed. I don't really belong anywhere. This is the first place I’ve felt like I belong and these people are the first real family since my mother and brother Red Bear. Now that’s enough about me, tell me about yourself."

Pausing for a moment then turning Sarah said, "Well, my father is Rachel’s older brother. My mother died when I was 10. My father is real strict on me. About a year ago he told me that I was to marry one of his rich banker friends. But I can't stand to be near him."

Just then she started to cry and ran off toward the barn. Buck followed her. As he entered the barn, she was nowhere to be found. Just then he heard some crying coming from the loft. He climbed the ladder and saw her at the other end. He walked over to her. While standing over her, he was wondering what to do. Then he knelt down and enfolded her in his arms. She turned around and laid her head on his chest and continued to cry. He just sat there and let her cry.

When Sarah stopped, she looked up at him and said, "I'm sorry I know I shouldn't get upset like that, but I wonder if there isn't someone out there for me, who will love me for me."

Buck lifted her chin to look at her face and said, "I didn't mean to upset you. I know there is someone out there for you. When you find that man, he will be the luckiest man in the world." She pulled away from him and looked into his big black dark eyes. Then he leaned forward and kissed her. He pulled back saying, "I'm sorry," and then he started to stand up."

Sarah grabbed his hand. "Please don't go, I was hoping you would do that." Leaning into him she kissed him back. They both laughed, and then Buck stood up and reached for her hand to help her stand. As he did he said, "We better get you back to the house before your aunt has my hide for keeping you out late."

Smiling they both climbed down the ladder and walked toward the house. They got to the steps of the porch. Buck turned to her saying, "Are you sure what happened back there in the barn is okay? I couldn't stop myself. I don't know what made me do that. I have never done anything like that before. This feeling came over me from the moment I saw you on the porch with Rachel."

Just then a light came on in the house. Sarah turning around notices the light. "I’d better go inside before Rachel comes out. Before I go, how about a ride tomorrow that is if you don't have a run?"