JULY 31, 1861

After a few minutes Steven began to wonder why he wasn't hearing anything from the porch. He decided he needed to check on them. As he made his way to the porch he had to admit they had been following the rules, and they had never pushed him about them.

As he stepped out onto the porch, it didn't surprise him that they had taken off. Looking around he noticed Michael riding in. Then he saw Buck's horse was gone. He walked over to where Michael was climbing off his horse. "Mickey can you go see if Buck and Caly went to the station?"

Michael turned to face his father. "Don't have to. I just came from there. They aren't there. Rachel had asked me to send Buck home and to remind him about his ride tonight." Michael had been at the station to see if Jesse was back yet, or to see if Rachel knew when he would be back. Unfortunately, he wasn't back, and Rachel didn't know when he would be back.

"Alright, thanks. If they come back tell them I'm looking for them." Steven said as he started for the barn.

"I will pa." Michael answered as he gave Bear a treat and then he followed Steven to the barn to put Bear in his stall.

After saddling King, Steven headed for the upper pasture. He knew it was Caly's favorite spot since they had moved here. He mounted up and headed for the pasture.

He rode up behind them. Steven could tell they were just sitting there. As he watched them a smile crossed his face as a plan formed in his head. "Well, I see my rules weren't followed." He said as he climbed off King and walked over to where they sat. Steven was fighting hard to suppress a smile.

"Pa. We weren't doing anything. We were just sitting here." Caly pleaded trying to gage her father's reaction and intentions.

"You broke the rules I set down. I should make you stop seeing each other." Steven could see a protest forming in his daughter’s eyes. He held up his hand to forestall any protest from the two. "But seeing how you'd probably go behind my back and see each other." The two young people exchanged looks of confusion then quickly turned their attention back to Caly's father. "So I am insisting that you two get married."

Caly smiled as she threw her arms about her father's neck."You really mean it pa?"

As he returned the hug, Steven couldn't help but smile. "Yes I do." He stepped back and watched his future son-in-law.

"Thank you sir. I promise to make her happy, and to take good care of her." Buck beamed with joy as he pulled Caly to him, and then he extended his hand to Steven.

As he shook the offered hand, Steven smiled. "I know you will. But remember you still need a chaperon till the wedding." He paused waiting for them to answer. He got a nod from both of them.

"Good. My only request is that you marry in the church. The rest is up to you."

"Thank you sir. Yes sir. That's okay with me. I would like . . ." Bucks words were cut off by a nudge from Caly.

"Of course pa. I want to wear mama's dress, too." She turned a quick pleading look to Buck. The young man caught the don't push it look and nodded.

"Good, now we best be getting back." Steven climbed back onto King and waited for them to mount up.

Buck helped Caly onto Wind Dancer. Then he climbed up behind her.

The three of them headed back to the house.

After Buck helped her clean up from supper, she walked him out to his horse.

The dark haired young man pulled her close. "I can't believe you'll be Mrs. Cross soon." As he ran his hand up her back till his hand cupped the back of her head. He leaned in and kissed her with all the love and passion he had for her. Caly let her arms slip around his neck as she returned his kiss, and she let the passion that he triggered lead her thoughts. Breaking the kiss first, Buck watched her through love filled eyes.

"Me either. We just have to wait a couple of months then I'm all yours"

"I can't wait. We need to decide on a date." He didn't hide the love he felt for her.

"I was wondering how you felt about Oct 21? It's ma and pa's Anniversary. In honor of ma."

He saw his love sadden at the thought of her mother not being there for her. "That's prefect. Anything to make you happy."

A smile lit her face. "Oh thank you." She tightened her hold on him.

He held her close. "You're Welcome." He gave her one last kiss. Then he mounted Wind Dancer and headed to the station. He decided they would tell their friends
together.

Caly watched till he was out of sight. Then she went in her father's office. "Pa can I talk to you a minute?"

"Sure baby, come in." Steven said as he looked up at her standing in the doorway.

She made her way into the office. "We decided on a date. I also want to surprise Buck with something,"

Steven smiled as he leaned back and studied her face. "What date, and what's the surprise?"

Caly sat in the chair next to the desk. She fiddled with the picture of her mother. "Oct 21, in honor of mama." She waited for her father’s reaction.

"Baby. Your mother would be pleased. Will you wear her gown?"

The young woman nodded. "Yes. Pa. I will wear her dress." She looked down at her fingers. I want to have an Indian wedding, too, and have Buck's brother here." She raised her eyes to meet her father's. "Please, Buck is willing to be married in the church."

Steven sat back thinking. "You really want that?"

"Yes pa. If Buck is willing to marry under our beliefs, then why shouldn't I do the same for him?" She pleaded without whinnying.

"Alright. But I don't want you going out there to get him by yourself." He smiled as she saw his little girl smile.

"Thank you pa." She hugged him.

"You're welcome." He returned the hug. "Now off to bed. I'm sure you'll be busy tomorrow."

"Yes, okay, night pa." She kissed his cheek then headed up stairs. She hugged Michael as he passed her. "You're finally getting a brother."

Michael smiled. "I wanted a younger brother, but I'm okay with an older one. Congratulations sis." He returned the hug.

Michael smiled as he watched her hum on her way to her room. He was just glad to finally see her happy again.