True Love, One Soul

Chapter 6
By Jocelyne

Meanwhile Buck came ridding back into the station. As he rode in he had hoped to see Sarah around. But as he didn’t see her, he shrugged his shoulders and went to take care of his horse.

While he was rubbing down his horse Steven came in and said, "Buck I need to explain myself and tell you that Sarah had no idea I had that hide or about that woman. I mean your mother. But I never raped her. I met her while I was scouting one day in mid June. I thought she was very beautiful, but I would never be unfaithful to Sarah's mother, who was back in New York with Sarah, who was only two at the time."

Kevin paused for a moment to see if Buck was listening. Buck turned around saying, "So with your wife and child back east you decided to gratify yourself with someone else’s wife."

Turning red Steven said, "No, damit! I never raped your mother. I saw her only two times before I left the army. The second time she gave me the hide you saw, and she had a little boy with her that I guessed to be about 10. Although I have given it a lot of thought since yesterday, and I might have an idea who did rape her. I 'll tell you when I know for sure. But please straighten things out with Sarah. Her heart is breaking."

Leaning forward Steven saw that Sarah had given Buck her mother’s locket. Then he said, "Well, I see that she gave you her mother’s locket. I know how much she cares and loves you."

Reaching up Buck touched the locket around his neck and said, "Okay, saying I believe you. I want you to know that when I told you I would never hurt her I meant it. I love her very much. It’s as if she can speak to my soul without saying a word. I really want to straighten all of this out with her. Do you know where she is?"

Thinking a minute Steven said, "I think she went to town with . . . oh, what's his name? The one that wears two guns."

Looking angry Buck said, "You mean Jimmy. I now see why he was so sweet to her the other night. Thank you! I'll find them." As he walked out of the barn he heard the sound of a wagon coming closer. As he came closer to the corner of the bunkhouse he could hear voices. Just peeking around the corner he saw and heard Sarah laughing with Jimmy as the wagon came to a stop in front of the bunkhouse. Walking around the corner he saw Jimmy lift Sarah down. He watched as Jimmy sat her down on her feet and reached for her crutches. As he handed them to Sarah his hands lingered on her waist.

Feeling a red anger growing within him, Buck clinched his fist in an attempt to control his anger. In a fit of anger he stormed over to where they stood. As he reaches them he says, "So I see you couldn't wait to get her as your girl, the minute we have a fight." Without letting Jimmy explain Buck hit him. Jimmy fell to the ground. Scrambling to his feet Jimmy was ready to defend himself as Buck leaped at him.

As they were rolling around on the ground Sarah stood there yelling, "Please stop it. Buck, please, he did nothing wrong. Oh, please stop before you get to hurt."

Hearing her yelling the other riders came out of the bunkhouse. Kid and Cody came running to where Sarah stood with tears in her eyes. Seeing their friends fighting they each grabbed one of the combatants and pulled them apart. Just then Teaspoon came out of the barn and saw everything that was happening. By the time he got there, Kid and Cody had them apart.

Looking at Sarah, Buck and Jimmy, Teaspoon said, "What is going on here?" Looking directly at Buck and then giving Jimmy a piercing glare, he asked "Why is Sarah in tears again?"

Shaking lose of the hands that where holding them, both boys sat down on the porch. Then Jimmy said, "I don't know what came over him. All I was doing was helping Sarah out of the wagon."

Looking at him Buck said, "Is that the way you treat your friend’s girl by holding onto her waist longer then what’s appropriate."

"I was making sure that she was steady on her one good foot before I let go!" Jimmy said in his defense. Sarah just stood there listening. Then reaching into her pocket she pulled out her handkerchief and handed it to Jimmy. He smiled up at her and said, "Thank you."

Then Sarah hopped over to where Buck sat on the porch, and knelt down beside him. As she turned his face to look at her she saw the blood running down his face from a cut above his eye and from a split lip. Ripping her undergarment she said, "What made you do this? Jimmy was only trying to make me feel better. He even told me that you would let me explain. But I wasn't so sure because of the way you rode out of here yesterday. I thought you would never speak to me again." While she was trying to wipe the blood from his face, Buck took her hands and made her stop.

Buck said, "I’m so dumb. I should have believed you. I'm sorry! Please forgive me and give me another chance."

Smiling at him Sarah said, "Sure! I can do that. But I think you first better tell Jimmy your sorry for hitting him. Come on lets get you inside and cleaned up."

Getting to his feet Buck helped Sarah to hers, and then he wrapping his arm around her waist to help her walk without her crutces. They walked into the bunkhouse.

After Buck and Jimmy were seated at the table, Buck said, "Hey Jimmy I'm sorry. I guess where Sarah’s concerned I see red. You’re my friend. I should have known that you would never try to hurt me by taking her away from me. Friends still?"

Jimmy smiled, reached out and he shook Buck’s hand saying , "I’m still your friend. You’re right! I would never hurt you by trying to take her from you. You’re very lucky. She loves you so much." Smiling back Buck nodded to Jimmy that he understood.

Sarah joined Buck at the table and wiped the blood from his face with a wet cloth. He grabbed her around the waist, pulled her into his lap, and said, "Well, I guess I need to learn to trust you. And believe that you won’t lie to me."

Smiling and almost laughing Sarah said, "Yes, you should . I would never lie to you. Now let me clean up that cut." As Sarah sat there in Buck’s lap wiping the blood from his face, Steven walked in. Looking up he saw his daughter sitting in Buck’s lap laughing and smiling. He knew that he had to find out for sure who raped Buck’s mother for all of them. While standing there he knew that Sarah belonged here with Buck, not in New York where she was very unhappy.

Steven said, "Sarah, I will be leaving on the morning stage. Buck, I told you I would find out who did it and I will. All I ask is that you take very good care of my pretty Sarah for me."

Looking up from Sarah to her father Buck said, "Thank you. Don't worry I will guard her with my life."

Sarah got up from Buck’s lap and went over to her father and said, "Thank you. I knew you didn't do it." As she gave him a big huge hug and a kiss on the cheek.

After Sarah released her father, Steven said, "Here Buck I think this belongs to you. I want you to have it. Seeing the two of you together just now I know that Sarah belongs here with you." So he handed Buck the hide. Then turning to Sarah he continued, "I haven't seen you this happy since before your mother died."

Smiling at him Sarah said, "Thank you father." As Buck took the hide from Steven he said, "Thank you, my brother Red Bear will love to have this back. There is no need for you to worry about Sarah. She will be safe here with me and the others." Buck slipped his arm around Sarah’s waist to support her without her crochets.

Steven and Buck shook hands and then Steven turned to Sarah and said, "Can I talk to you for a minute alone?"

Smiling back Sarah said, "Okay, but let me finish up here first. I will meet you on the porch swing in a few minutes." Nodding yes Steven turned and left. Taking Buck’s hand she led him back to the table. She made him sit again as she wiped the blood from his knuckles. Then she said, "I want to be with you but I will not come between you and your friends."

Taking the cloth from her hand Buck took a hold of her hands and said, "You won’t come between us. We’re all good friends. We’re as a family here. We all try to be happy for one another. Besides right now you are the only one who matters to me."

Rachel walked over behind them and said, "Hey you two clean off the table and set it for dinner, please. Dinner is almost ready." Standing up Sarah started to clean off the table, but Buck grabbed her hands and said, "Let me do that. Your father wanted to talk to you. Now please go and talk to him. I think Jimmy and I can handle this."

Jimmy stood and said, "Go on Sarah. Don't make him beg. I think I’m up to helping Rachel."

Buck slipped his arm around Sarah’s waist and helped her to the door. As he reached to open the door, Cody opened the door and walked in. Cody had Sarah’s crutches in his hands. He handed them to her and stepped to the side. Looking at Buck Cody nodded toward the porch where Sarah’s father was sitting there waiting for her.

Sarah turned and gave him a huge hug and then headed toward her father. As she reached the stairs, she turned back toward the bunkhouse and saw Buck watching her. He was making sure she made it up the steps okay. He smiled at her and she returned the smile. As she started up the steps, her father started to stand and help her but she shook her head no. So Steven just stood there as Sarah climbed the steps and leaned her crutches against the railing and sat down.

Taking his seat again, he said, "Sarah, I know now that you belong here. You do have the right to find your own happiness. Please forgive me. I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have forced you into that engagement with Kevin. I was also wrong about Buck. I should have said something yesterday when Buck got mad at you. I guess I was hoping that you didn't really love him like you said you did. I thought that if he hurt you, you would come home with me and marry Kevin. But when you threw Kevin’s ring at me, I knew that you would never marry him, and that you truly loved Buck. I know that young man over there loves you very much. I want what is best for you. Will you please forgive me?"

Seeing the tears in his eyes Sarah knew that he meant what he had just said. Giving him a huge hug she said, "I knew you only wanted what was best for me. I do forgive you and you’re right I do love Buck very much. It’s like he can talk to my soul without being near me. I only wanted to find the kind of love you and mother had. Oh, here if you are returning to New York, would you please give this to him." Sarah handed her father a letter addressed to Kevin. "I can't stand to even say his name. Now lets go eat."

Steven stood and handed Sarah her crutches. They went across the yard to the bunkhouse and as they reached it Buck was there waiting to help Sarah inside and to help her to sit down. Buck sat down next to Sarah, and as Rachel put dinner on the table everyone else came in. Everyone was talking at once except for Sarah and Buck. They just sat there and ate. As they all finished, Buck stood and looked down at Sarah and said, "Would you like to take a walk with me ma'am?"

Chapter 7 in next week's issue!