Cami sighed in relief when the children finally left for home and the church was once again empty. She had told her parents Mr. Cross was coming over again from Cottonwood - where he now lived - and had requested a picnic by the creek behind the church. The whole story was true, except that the cave where Buck lived was located between Cottonwood and Rock Creek. She had informed Buck that he now officially lived in Cottonwood, but part from that the only thing she had lied about was their relationship to each other. She knew her father would be bleeding mad if he found out, but she couldn't contain herself around Buck. And he seemed to feel the same way.

Finally she heard the sounds of a horse trotting down the road around the church.

"Buck!" she called and picked up her skirts dove-blue.

Buck looked up to see his angel run toward him with a big smile on her face. He grinned from ear to ear when she ran into his arms, and hugging her felt more natural than anything else in his life. He kissed the top of her head and chuckled at her giggle.

"Hi," he smiled and kissed her pretty lips.

"You came, finally. I've been waiting," she scolded and kissed him back."

"Your parents, are they okay with this?" Buck asked as he lead his horse toward the spot where they had planned their lunch. "

Are you kidding?" Cami laughed. "They couldn't be happier to finally see me in the presence of another male creature!"

Buck laughed. "What about Gordie?" he asked and she growled at him before breaking out in a wild laughter. Buck calmed down and pulled her close again. "I'm happy to be that male creature."

Cami smiled warmly and sat down in the grass. "Here'll be fine, won't it?"

"Perfect," Buck agreed and sat down also, after pulling the bridle off his horse so he could graze freely.

The afternoon was turning into early evening when the two finally moved from the creek. Buck was just turning around the corner of the church, when Cami stopped him abruptly.

"Your shirt isn't buttoned correctly!" she giggled and reached for his collar. Buck waiter for her to fix it for him, thoroughly enjoying her face so close to his. He grinned at her when she looked up, stealing a deep kiss from her already swollen lips.

"Thanks," he whispered and Cami nodded.

"Done."

Buck's arm around her waist fell limply to his side when he saw a boy watching them from the church steps. They both looked up with the guiltiest expressions on their faces.

"Michael," Cami sighed in relief and hurried to her brother. "What are you doing here?"

"Mother told me to go look for you," the boy said.

"But she knows I'm with Mr. Cross?"

"She was worried."

Buck approached the siblings with a frown. "Something wrong at home?" he asked.

"No, Michael's just looking out for me," Cami smiled back.

"I saw you at the creek," Michael said with a redness spreading up his cheeks. But it was nothing compared to the crimson cheeks of her sister and looking up to Buck he saw the same scarlet color there.

"What exactly did you see?" Buck asked and rubbed his hands together. They were clammy.

"Just two people in love," Michael said; Buck and Cami glanced at each other.

"You can't tell mom," Cami warned. "She will tell father."

"I know," Michael said. "I won't tell. If you don't lie to me."

"What have I lied about?" Cami asked somewhat agitated.

"You haven't been to Cottonwood. There's red mud over there, and none of your horses had any traces of that on them."

Buck's face parted in a smile. "You're observant," he said.

Michael looked shy suddenly, and he turned away. "No, I just know that, that's all..."

"You know anymore?" Buck probed.

"Some," Michael admitted and turned back to face his sister and her boyfriend.

"You know, I could teach you..." Buck started with a sly grin. "If you promise not to tell anyone you saw us together," he cocked an eyebrow and the boy contemplated for a moment.

"Deal."

Buck pulled out his hand and held it to Michael. The boy never hesitated; he clasped the Indian's hand and shook it firmly.