Chapter Three

The next morning Sidney woke at dawn excited about her first full day of work. Buck still hadn't returned when she'd gone to bed and she wondered what time he dragged himself in.

Sid next woke the children up for school, as the older ones grumbled about going, she dressed Angel. The troop then went downstairs to the dining room where an obviously sleepy Buck was waiting.

"Well it took you long enough to get down here, they're going to be late for school." He said drowsily.

"They have plenty of time." Sidney said cheerfully, inwardly laughing at his misery.

Breakfast went quickly and without incident, although the triplets made bets on exactly when their father would fall asleep at the table, making his head land in his untouched oatmeal. Unfortunately everyone missed it, it happened as they left the ranch for school.

After dropping the triplets at the schoolhouse, Sidney and Angel went to the General Store for some odds and ends that Mrs. Collins needed for dinner. They were greeted by Mr. Thompkins, who spoke to Sidney for a few minutes.

Millicent Pennypacker was searching through the materials for something she could make a new dress with when she saw little Angel Cross standing in front of the store. Her heart beat quickly, because wherever Angel was, Buck wasn't far behind.

"Why hello Angel baby." Millie said sweetly, "Is your daddy here?"

Angel retreated from the beautiful blonde woman, there was something about her she didn't like.

"Can I help you?" Sidney said as she tried to detach the child from her skirt.

"And you are?"

Sidney looked over the woman, about her own age but standing at least two full inches taller, she was blonde haired and blue eyed. At once Sid knew she could have any man she wanted, and it seemed the woman knew it too. As politely as she could, Sidney smiled. "I'm Sidney Bennet, I'm Angel's nanny."

"Buck hired a nanny?" She asked incredulously.

"Yes."

"Well that's interesting." Millicent said dismissively, then turning back to Angel she said "You tell your daddy that Miss Millie said hello." The look she gave Sidney before leaving made her feel as if she were nothing more than dirt. After paying the bill Sid grabbed Angel's hand and went back to the ranch in a foul mood.

*********************************

"Angeeeeeeeeel! Come out, come out wherever you are!" Sidney called out for what seemed like the hundredth time that afternoon. The triplets had finished their homework and were outside doing their ranch chores while Sidney played hide and seek with Angel. Their father had slept the afternoon away and had come outside to exercise some horses an hour before.

"Angeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel!"

"She ran into the house." Manuel said with a grin.

Sidney smiled weakly, "Thank you." She said and went into the house. When she came in, Mrs. Collins silently pointed upstairs, nodding Sidney went silently."

Once she stepped onto the second floor landing she immediately saw a door ajar. Sidney remembered Mrs. Collins saying that, that particular room was the master bedroom. She didn't want to enter it, but she knew that Angel wouldn't come out unless Sidney "found" her.

Opening the door, Sidney whispered the little girl's name. She then saw her standing in front of a vanity holding a picture frame in her little hands. It was then that Sidney noticed the condition of the room, it was dusty and smelled dank as if no one lived in this room. "Angel, come on sweetie. I'm sure your daddy doesn't want you playing in his room." Sidney walked up to the little girl and took the frame from her hands. Intending to put it back on the dresser, Sid's curiosity got the best of her and she looked at the picture.

"That's my mama and daddy when they got married." Angel said proudly.

Sidney looked at the picture, the young woman was very beautiful, and Buck...well, she thought, so that's what he looks like.

"Angel, go downstairs and help Mrs. Collins with dinner."

Sidney looked up and saw Buck standing in the doorway, his anger barely controlled. Angel did as she was told glancing back at Sidney sadly before leaving the room.

"What the hell are you doing in here?" He growled at her as he stalked towards her.

Sidney's heart began to beat quickly. The last time she had experienced such rage was her last job in London, just before the big woman attacked her. When Buck went to grab the frame, Sid thought he was going to strike her. When she lifted her arm to protect herself, their arms collided and the frame tumbled from her hand, the glass shattering as it hit the floor.

Sidney's eyes opened wide in shock, "I'm so sorry." She said quickly.

"You stupid nosy...busybody! Get out of this room!" He roared. "Get out! You're fired!"

Sidney jerked back, suddenly angry herself she struck back. "Why you grumpy, overbearing slob! How dare you yell at me, I was in here looking for your daughter, we were playing hide and seek! Something I might add that you should be doing, but you can't because you prefer a bottle to your children! It's a wonder no one has taken them from you! Your children are undisciplined and run around the ranch with no supervision. Look at yourself, you're no father! You sleep all day, you whore all night and you. . . you . . . you smell! And everyone let's you get away with it. You can't fire me, I wouldn't work for you if you were the last family in the world, I quit!"

Sidney went to walk around Buck and saw the audience that had gathered, Mrs. Collins was holding a crying Angel, while the triplets stared at them in horror. She swept around them all, no sound was heard until they heard the door slam. As Sidney asked Manuel to take her to town, she swore she could hear Angel calling out for her.

“Mhmm mhmm mhmm…Rachel darlin’, I swear this must be the most deeeeeliiiiicious dinner I’ve ever had.” Teaspoon sat back in his chair and pat his round belly as he let out a satisfied sigh.

Rachel laughed, walked over to Teaspoon and wrapped her arms around him from behind. “You say that after every meal.”

Teaspoon grinned. “Yeah well…now I can’t wait to see what’s for dessert!” With that he pulled Rachel around and down into his lap, the two of them giggling like lovesick teenagers. Their nuzzling was cut short by an insistent knocking on the front door. “Who could that be?” Teaspoon asked, throwing Rachel a curious glance.

Rachel just shrugged as she climbed out of Teaspoon’s lap and opened the door. There stood Sidney, her eyes red and swollen, her long dark tresses pulled free from their chignon, her bags by her feet and a distressed look on her face.

“My God! What happened?” Rachel ran to embrace the distraught girl.

“That…man…is…an…ogre!” Sidney managed to say before collapsing into tears again.

Teaspoon stood up and walked over to the two women. “Did Buck do something to hurt you?” He asked cautiously.

Sidney shook her head. “No, he didn’t hurt me at all. We had an argument.”

Rachel smiled sympathetically. “I told you it was going to be difficult. Why don’t you come inside, have a cup of tea and tell me what happened?”

Ten minutes later they were seated at the table and Sidney was reliving the night’s events as she told Rachel what had happened. “Rachel, we were playing hide and seek. Angel hid in the room and I went in after her. I’m not a snoop! I admit, I was a little curious when I saw the picture, but I would have never intentionally gone into that room to poke around.”

Rachel patted her hand and squeezed it gently. “I know honey, but nobody’s been in that room since Sarah died, and I’m sure Buck was just in shock. I’m sure he didn’t mean what he said.”

Sidney gently blew her nose and took a deep breath. “Well, none of that matters now.”

Rachel smiled. “You’ve decided to forgive him?”

Sidney shook her head. “That bloke? Not in a thousand years. I quit.”

Rachel’s eyes widened. “You can’t quit Sid! That family needs you.”

Sidney laughed sarcastically. “No, what that family needs is one of those head doctors. What do you call them here in America? Shrinks?”

Rachel thought quickly. She had seen the interaction between Sidney and the Crosses and from what she had heard tonight, it was obvious that Sidney had made some kind of an impression on them. She got them to eat as family…that’s more than I was ever able to do, she thought to herself.

Teaspoon had been listening the to conversation and decided it was time to step in. “How about if you go back and give it one more chance.”

Sidney shook her head. “Uh uh. No way.”

“Weeeell, how about if it’s on a conditional basis?” Teaspoon continued when he saw the interest in Sidney’s eyes. “What if you and Buck lay down some ground rules between you two?”

“Ground rules? You mean like, I tell him what I think he should and should not do and he does the same?” Sidney’s curiosity was piqued.

Teaspoon nodded. “Exaaaactly.”

Sidney agreed to give it another go, but only on the condition that Buck agreed to the rules. A half hour later, Rachel and Sidney pulled up in front of the ranch again. Not a minute after they climbed down from the buckboard, they heard an excited squeal come from the front porch.

“Siiiiiiidneeeeeey!!” Little Angel came flying down the porch steps and flung herself at Sidney.

Sidney scooped the little girl up and hugged her. Then she realized that it was well past her bedtime and wondered what she was doing awake. “Why aren’t you asleep?”

The little girl just shrugged and buried her head into the crook of Sidney’s neck.

“You decided to come back.”

Sidney turned and found Buck standing in the doorway. “Only on one condition.”

Buck raised an eyebrow. “And that is?”

Sidney walked over to Buck. “That we lay down some ground rules here.” She looked down and realized that Angel had fallen asleep in her arms.

Rachel walked over and took the sleeping child from her. “I’ll put this one to bed.”

Sidney smiled and thanked her.

“So, are you going to come inside or stand out here all night?” Buck asked.

Sidney shook her head. “Not until we establish the rules.”

Buck sighed impatiently. “Fine, fine. What are the rules?”

“No more drinking in front of the children.” Buck was about to open his mouth to protest when Sidney held up a finger to silence him. “You are their father and it’s about bloody time you start acting like one. What you do on your own time is your business. But while those children around, you are to act like a decent human being.”

“You mean, not a grumpy, overbearing, smelly slob?” Buck threw Sidney’s words back at her and she blushed and looked down demurely. She had never spoken out of place like that before and it embarrassed her greatly. “Okay. I’ll agree to that-”

Sidney looked up, clearly surprised.

“But, only if you agree to a rule as well.” Buck continued.

Sidney nodded. “Alright.”

“You mind the children, not my business. What I do in my personal time is mine and only my concern.” Buck stated.

Sidney took a deep breath. “Fair enough.” She stuck out her hand and Buck accepted her handshake. “Now if you’ll excuse me, morning comes quite early around here and I have to get to sleep.” She picked up her bags and started to walk past him when he stopped her.

“Before…when I caught you and Angel…” he started, the tone of his voice clearly softened.

“Yes?”

Buck continued. “When I went to take the picture from you, you flinched and backed away. Why?”

Sidney set her mouth in a determined line. “Now who’s being the nosy busybody?” It felt good to throw his words back at him. “Now if you’ll excuse me. Goodnight Mr. Cross.”

“’Night.” Buck answered. As he watched her walk into the house, he couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to Sidney Bennet then she was letting on.

“Nooooooooooooooo!”

“Come on sugar-pie!”

“Nonononononononononono!”

“Come on now! Let’s show your daddy how nice we play together.”

Sidney woke to the sound of Angel wailing and jumped out of bed. She threw on her robe and raced down the stairs to see what was the matter. There, standing in the middle of the parlor, was Millicent Pennypacker. And there, sitting on the sofa, was Buck, wearing an amused expression on his face.

“Siiiiiiiiiiidneeeeeey!” Repeating her action from the night before, the child flung herself at Sidney.

“Is there something you want Miss Bennet?” Millicent asked, her voice dripping with sugar.

Sidney glanced at the two adults with confusion. “I, uh, heard yelling and I came downstairs to make sure everything was alright.”

Millicent, her back to Buck, smirked. “Yes, I can see you didn’t even take the time to make yourself presentable.”

At that point Sidney realized what a sight she must be, still dressed in her nightgown, her robe thrown quickly over her shoulder, her hair flowing wildly around her head, her face devoid of any make-up. She self-consciously pulled her robe closed with one hand as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with the other.

“Well, uh, my only concern was Angel. I thought she was in trouble-” Sidney started to defend herself, but Millicent cut her off.

“And as you can clearly see, Miss Bennet, she is not. Angel, myself and Buck were enjoying this lovely morning together.” Millicent turned to Buck. “Aren’t we darlin’?”

Buck just shook his head and laughed to himself. “If you ladies will excuse me, I’m gonna go see Manuel about that new foal that was born the other day.”

Angel’s eyes lit up. “Oooh, horsie! Can I go see the horsie daddy? Pwetty pleeeeeeeease?” Angel begged, throwing foul glances at Millicent.

“Why Angel-pie, I thought we were gonna play with your dolls?” Millicent asked, unhappy with the way her plans were being spoiled. That stupid nanny had to come down here and ruin everything, she thought angrily to herself. Oh well, that’s okay…I’ll have plenty of time to win Buck over…all I have to do is make sure Miss Nanny isn’t around next time.

Angel shook her head. “Nuuuuh uuuuuh!” She looked up at Buck, her grey eyes shining hopefully.

Buck couldn’t resist her. “Come on sweetheart.” Angel smiled and reached up for her Daddy’s hand. Buck reached down, took her hand, and the two of them walked out of the house.

After Buck and Angel left, Sidney couldn’t help but ask Millicent the question that had been burning in her mind. “Sooo, are you and Buck dating?”

Millicent flashed Sidney a contemptuous smile. “You could say that.”

Sidney continued cautiously. “Have you been here all night?”

Millicent howled with mocking laughter. “Why, are all British people as forward as you are little girl?”

Sidney blushed. “I was just curious, that’s all.”

Millicent’s eyes hardened and she approached Sidney. “Listen to me. Let’s get one thing straight here, okay? You are the nanny, that’s all. You take care of the children,” she spit out the word as if it were a curse, “and I’ll take care of Buck. You get my drift?”

Sidney lifted her chin in defiance and answered her curtly. “Very well, Miss Pennypacker. If that is all, I have things to do.”

Millicent smiled slyly. “Good day Miss Bennet. I’ll see my way out.”

After Millicent had left, Sidney growled with annoyance. “Why the nerve of her! To imply that I would be interested in that beast of a man! One would have to be blind, deaf and dumb to even think that an ounce of respect and decency existed in that…that…creature!” Sidney exclaimed.

But deep down she couldn’t help but wonder what the real Buck was like. She knew that he wasn’t always this way, and she wondered if she would ever have the opportunity to see the human side of him. She knew that it existed somewhere deep inside. She saw it every time he interacted with Angel.

Oh well, I do look like a mess and I should be waking the triplets soon, she thought wearily. It was another long day ahead of her. As she turned to walk upstairs, she didn’t see the form standing in the doorway to the kitchen.

“Oh lass, if only ye could see what I see…ye would know that there are feelings already bloomin’ in ye heart.” Mrs. Collins smiled as she spoke quietly to herself, before turning back into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Sidney entered her room still grumbling about Buck and Millicent. She washed up and changed quickly and headed towards Miguel and Ike's room. As she opened the door, she heard a shocked gasp.

"You're back!"

Sidney turned to see Star staring at her with wide, disbelieving eyes. "That's right." Sidney answered in a sing song voice. "Go get washed and dressed for breakfast."

"But you can't be back, you quit."

"I changed my mind, I like you all so much I just had to come back." Sidney said with a soft giggle. Opening the door she found Miguel and Ike out of bed and staring at her in wonder. "Don't ask, just get washed up and come down to breakfast, your father and Angel are ready and will be waiting." She said to the boys then turned to go downstairs.

Star looked at her brothers, "We'll show her, by the time we get through with her she'll wish she stayed away. We don't need her, I was taking care of everyone just fine."

Her brothers nodded silently, neither saying they had began to like Sidney.

Sid went downstairs to see if Mrs. Collins needed help and as she turned the corner of the stairway she bumped right into Millicent. Sidney's eyes opened widely in disbelief. "What . . .What are you doing here? I thought you left."

Millie smiled mischievously. "When Buck saw me leaving he invited me to stay for breakfast, he said I shouldn't leave on an empty stomach. Isn't he considerate?"

About as considerate as wolf on the prowl, Sidney thought. "Yes I find he's quite considerate." She said hoping the sarcasm didn't show up in her voice. "Please excuse me Miss Pennypacker, I was on my way to help Mrs. Collins."

Millicent stepped out of her way, and as Sidney went into the kitchen she said "It's so nice that the help, stays together."

Sidney flinched, she had never felt like she was beneath anyone, especially not here, but Millicent Pennypacker could do it with a few words and it irked her.

Mrs. Collins heard the low growl from behind her and smiled. Turning to Sidney she laughed, the young girl’s hands were fisted into balls at her side and she was staring daggers at the closed kitchen door. "Don't let that lass get to ye Sidney, that's just the way she is. Her father is the town preacher and he has made sure that child has never felt as if she were in the wrong about anything."

Sidney turned with a raised eyebrow, "Her father is the town Preacher?"

Mrs. Collins laughed loudly, "Yes, can you believe it?" Mrs. Collins smiled secretly as she asked Sidney, "So did ye see Buck this morning? His hair is combed and his beard is trimmed, he's not looking the mountain man anymore." The woman waited for Sidney's reaction.

Sidney shook her head, "What men will do for a woman." She said irritatedly.

Indeed, Mrs. Collins thought.

The women talked some more and went into the dining room to set the table. As soon as they left, Star entered the large pantry, her brothers standing as lookouts, and took exactly what she was looking for. The three conspirators ran out of the kitchen, the large can being carried by their leader.

A few minutes later, Buck sat at the head of his table with Millicent to his immediate right. "That's myyyyyyyy seeeeeat." Angel whined.

Buck smiled at his daughter sweetly, "Why don't you sit here?" He asked her, patting the seat on his left.

"Don't wanna, that's Star's chair." She said sadly.

Buck sighed loudly, he wasn't sure how to appease the little girl without making Millicent feel bad. He raised pleading eyes to Sidney. Catching the look, she nodded once to say she understood. "Angel, why don't you sit next to me?"

Millicent gasped, "You eat with the family? Buck really, how will the children learn where the help's place is if they have to associate with them during the family's private meal time too?" She said innocently.

Buck looked up at Sidney, she had said almost exactly the same thing her first night here. "Millie, as I've said to Sidney, we're not much for being proper. I thought it was a good idea to have Sidney sit with us, so the kids will get used to her being here."

Sidney smiled inwardly, Haaa haaa! she thought, then looked up at Buck, Millie? Just how close were the two adults? At that exact moment Millicent was thinking the same thing about Buck and Sidney.

"You call her by her given name?" Putting her hand on Buck's she squeezed it gently, "Forgive me I shouldn't be poking my nose into your business." She said contritely.

Buck gave her a beaming smile that made Millicent's heart stop as he told her it was alright. Sidney rolled her eyes.

Appeased, Angel sat next to Sidney as Miguel and Ike entered the dining room. Sidney looked at them. They're up to something, she thought, they're acting too nonchalant not to be. As the boys sat down they looked up and saw Millicent at the table smiling broadly. The two boys looked at their father questioningly, but said nothing.

"Where's Star?" Buck asked.

A quick look of uncertainty passed Ike's face quickly. Buck missed it, Sidney didn't. "She'll be down in a minute, she ah . . . forgot something in her room." The boy said.

Just then Mrs. Collins came in with her cart full of the family's breakfast. She began placing the food on the table, a good morning said to everyone, although hesitantly at Millicent. As she placed the freshly baked biscuits on the table, Millicent grabbed the older woman's elbow. "I don't suppose you have honey for the biscuits?"

The two boys at the table stiffened as both Buck and Angel's eyes lit up at the prospect of having honey. Mrs. Collins looked at Buck, "I was sure we did. I thought I bought some when I last went to Mr. Thompkins. I must've been mistaken because I can't seem to find it, but I'll put it on the list for my next trip to the store."

"That's alright," Buck said kindly, then looked around the table. "Where is Star?" He said impatiently.

"I'll get her." Sidney excused herself from the table and went upstairs. Not even a minute later Star entered the dining room, a satisfied smile on her lips which fell as soon as she saw Millicent sitting next to her father, the woman's hand lovingly caressing her father's.

The family was waiting for Sidney to come back down, when a scream pierced the air. The family ran into the foyer, and Mrs. Collins came out of the kitchen in time to see Sidney descend the stairs, her hair wet, glossy and sticky. A small cut above her right eyebrow bleeding moderately. She was caring a can.

With her head held high Sid walked up to the housekeeper and handed her the can. "I seemed to have found the honey," She whispered.

"What the hell happened to you?"

Millicent gasped at his outburst, "Buck, your language." She said offhandedly. However she was inwardly excited at the "Savage" side of the man that could make her insides tingle and her heart race.

Sidney looked down at the triplets, who in turn all stepped back in fear. Turning her attention to Buck, she smiled. "I was upstairs and decided I wasn't hungry, this is an old English . . .ahh . . . .beauty regiment. It traces back hundreds of years." Sidney hated to lie, but she would handle the children herself.

Buck arched an eyebrow, "An English beauty-"

Sidney raised her finger at him, cutting off the rest of what he was going to say. "Please eat your breakfast without me." She said and turned to go back upstairs, the honey dripping from her hair as she walked away.

The family ate in silence and Buck left to drive Millie home. Sidney came back downstairs, no longer bleeding but her hair still sticky. She went into the kitchen where she found Angel sitting with Mrs. Collins. Mrs. Collins covered her mouth partly in shock, and partly to stifle a giggle, the poor lass.

"I can't get the honey out, I'm going to go out to the creek to wash it out. Would you mind watching the children?" Sidney said.

Mrs. Collins nodded silently, and Sidney turned to leave. "Don't you dare laugh." She threw over her shoulder. As soon as the young woman was out of earshot, that's exactly what she did.

The heat of the day was getting to Buck, making him feel sweaty and sticky. After dropping off the buckboard at the stables and handing the horses to a young boy who worked there, Buck decided he would go for a swim in the creek.

Sidney swam in the cool waters, loving the feel of it against her bare skin. It had taken nearly an hour to get the sticky honey out of her hair and she decided to take a few minutes for herself as she plotted her revenge on the triplets. Sidney ducked under the water and swam, unaware of the man headed in her direction.

Buck went to a spot behind the oak trees to undress, as he removed his shirt he looked at the water, it's smooth surface calling to him invitingly. He threw his shirt over a low hanging branch just as Sidney broke the surface gasping for air, a wide smile on her face as she swam around in a few circles happily. Something snapped in Buck, as he watched her. Emotions he hadn't felt in a long time seemed to surface again. He knew he shouldn't be watching her, but he couldn't make himself turn away. Sidney began to sing a bawdy tune, that he was sure a proper English nanny should never know the words to, and he was intrigued. She wasn't exactly what she pretended to be. Buck smiled.

His smile faded as his children's nanny began to swim to the edge of the creek. Turn away, he commanded, you shouldn't be watching her. Yet there he stood.

Buck watched as the young English woman stepped out of the creek, the water trickling down her firm body, her wet hair sticking to her back as tendrils stuck to her breasts. When she bent to pick up a towel, Buck couldn't stand it any longer and groaned. As soon as the sound escaped his lips, he dropped to the ground. If Sidney saw him, there was no way to tell what she'd do. It was going to be hard enough to look at her without seeing her naked and wet.

Sidney wrapped the towel around her and looked around. She could have sworn she heard a sound coming from the trees. Seeing nothing there, she immediately thought that maybe there was a wild animal loose and hiding somewhere in the thicket. Not taking any chances, she dressed quickly and practically ran from the creek.

Buck heard her leave and jumped into the creek, thankful for the cold water.

Sidney was setting the table as the triplets entered the room for lunch. The three looked guiltily at their nanny who just smiled broadly at them. They all sat quietly and stared at their plates. Several moments later, Buck entered carrying a giggling Angel in his arms. Sidney saw a look of jealousy pass across Star's face. Buck looked at Sidney and blushed intensely, and quickly turned his face.

Angel climbed out of her father's arms and ran to Sidney. Tugging at her skirt, she motioned for her nanny to bend down. Kneeling between Buck and Angel's chairs, Sidney waited to see what the little girl would do.

Angel brushed a tendril of hair off of Sid's face, and lightly touched the small cut above her right eyebrow. Leaning over, the little girl kissed it. "I make ouchie feel all better. Now it's your turn daddy, you do your medicine now. Kiss my Sidney." Mrs. Collins came in at that moment and she and the triplets all looked at Buck, wondering what he would do.

Buck's eyes opened in surprise as he stuttered looking for an excuse. Sidney smiled shyly, "I don't think I need your daddy's medicine. I'm sure you are stronger than he is." She said as she hugged the little girl.

"No one is stronger than my daddy." Angel said.

Buck cleared his throat and looking for an excuse to change the subject he turned his attention to the triplets. "What you three did today was inexcusable. After lunch I want you all to go to the stable, where you will be punished."

Sidney looked at Buck with wide eyes, "Punished for what?" She asked innocently.

Buck stared at her in disbelief, "For the honey, do you think I don't know they did it?"

"I would assume you wouldn't try to make me seem like a liar Mr. Cross-"

"Buck." He interrupted.

"What?"

"Call me Buck, if you let me call you by your name the least I could do is let you call me by mine." He said more gruffly than he intended to. "And I don't care if it's proper or not." Sitting back in his chair he folded his arms over his chest, "Continue."

Sidney was momentarily taken aback, and she noticed how he couldn't look at her without blushing. Clearing her throat she went on. "As I was saying, I don't like being called a liar. I told you the honey was a beauty regiment." Buck raised a disbelieving eyebrow. That did something to Sid's senses, funny how she had never noticed how it softened his features when he did that.

Gathering her wits, Sidney began putting her plan in action. "I was talking to Mrs. Collins earlier, and she told me that Star, Miguel and Ike's birthday is coming up soon. I thought it would be nice to have a party."

"A what?" Buck asked.

Sidney held up her finger to stop any protests. "I think that a party would be a good thing for them, let their friends come over, and maybe some of your extended family. Let everyone see how the ranch is doing."

"After what those three did, you want to reward them with a party?"

Sidney held up her finger again, Buck wasn't sure if it was endearing or annoying. "As I've said before, they didn't do anything, and yes I'd like to give them a party."

Buck looked around the table, the children all stared at him with hopeful eyes. There was nothing he could do, if Sidney didn't want him to punish them then he wouldn't. "Fine, let's have a party."

The children cheered, the sound echoing through the house. Mrs. Collins looked heavenward and smiled. "Sarah darling, there's finally some happiness in this house again."

On to Chapter Six

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