He watched her from a distance. She was running toward her home with her school books over her head. The rain was getting heavier and the sky was a thick, grey cloud above them. He bit his trembling lower lip and blinked away the tears. This was the last time he would ever see her. He knew that, and though it was his own stupid decision he knew he couldn't regret it. He had to leave. Watching her day after day hurt too much to stick around. The riders would all go their separate ways soon and he would be all alone in a couple of months anyway. Maybe less than that. A fat, salty tear fell from his eye and he sniffled with a gulp in his throat. His body felt all cold inside and his hands were two whitening fists. His hair stuck to his face like glue and his thick eyelashes were wet and heavy. Rain dripped from the tip of his nose and chin, falling over his already soaked jacket and trousers.

Cami half ran, half limped through the already muddy grass up to her house, one hand still holding the books and the other clutching her jacket tight around her body. She didn't see him, and she didn't feel him. Her mind was elsewhere, and she couldn't let it go. It was an image in her head that had been distracting her the entire day in school. It was an image of him, all naked, in her arms. They had made love, over and over and over again, and it had been heaven. Even though she was uncommon to the feeling, she knew with him it would be beautiful; magical. As she jumped the steps up to the front door two at a time, she could almost feel him there in her arms. She tried to imagine what he would smell like, but she knew it would be something sweet and masculine. With her eyes closed she remained on the porch for a second, lingering with the image of his gentle features, his chest, his arms, his legs... And some more private areas she could only wonder what they looked like. She relished this feeling; of having him so close to her in her head, and the feeling of his presence somehow in the air.

Suddenly she stiffened and looked around. Was he really there? She scanned the area with a disappointed sigh. All she saw was the back of a man on a horse, riding away from town, at least three hundred yards off on the road. In the rain she could only make out a sand jacket and a brownish horse. She felt sorry for this man, whoever he was, since he obviously had to ride out in that terrible weather. She hoped he would find shelter somewhere. Her thoughts drifted again and as she kicked off her boots inside the door she was again lying in his strong arms, with his soft breath on her cheek. Pure magic.

Jimmy cursed loudly and tapped Teaspoon's shoulder. The older man was plaiting a rope out on the bunkhouse porch; feeling quite good sitting there watching the rain and hearing it smatter against the roof. It had been raining for four days already and they all knew it wouldn't stop for several days to come. Typical Nebraska fall, Teaspoon thought.

"I hope that wasn't directed at me," the marshal spoke.

"No, it was at the dang rain!" Jimmy cried, a warning eye from Teaspoon shushing him. "I wanna talk to you," he demanded instead.

"Then talk," Teaspoon said.

Jimmy seemed quite uncomfortable, as if he feared the answer to his question.

"What is it, Jimmy?" Teaspoon probed.

"Is there something we outta know?" the young man asked.

"About what?" Teaspoon asked without looking up. He heard feet walk across the boards and knew Kid and Lou had both joined the conversation.

"About Buck?" Jimmy tried to refresh the older man's memory.

"If there was somethin' about Buck you needed knowin', I'd tell you. Wouldn't I?" Teaspoon asked and looked up.

"He's been gone an awful long time," Kid spoke inquiringly.

"So? It's rainin'," Teaspoon stated the obvious.

"No matter how much it rains, it ain't ever took no rider four days to Fort Laramie and back!" Jimmy cried.

Teaspoon sighed deeply and eyed the three riders. He knew it was time they found out the truth. Buck's box stood empty underneath his bed, looking like it always had, only it was empty now. And so was Ike's. His bed had been made with care, like always, only he would never sleep in it again. They deserved to find out. They were still his family, however different they all were. He only wished he had been able to convince Buck about that.