Buck and Kat arrived at the ranch early with her things. Breakfast wasn't even ready yet and the ranch's inhabitants were just getting around.

"You two are up awful early." Kid observed as he met the wagon in front of the barn.

"Lot to do today." Buck said shrugging. "Wanted to get Kat out here early and get to work." Buck explained, hoping no one would realize he hadn't come home last night.

Kid walked to the side of the wagon and helped unload Kat's things. Cody heard the exchange from the porch of the bunkhouse. He had spent the night there and knew Buck hadn't slept in his own bed. Cody hoped Buck had done the right thing.

"Morning Cody!" Kat called brightly as she noticed the young man. Cody's glare quickly melted as Kat approached him.

"Hi Kat." Cody grinned as he reached out and gave her a hug.

"Where's Lou?" Kat asked when the embrace was broken. "I'll help her with breakfast."

"At her house." Cody nodded toward the small house behind the barn. Kat looked like she could fly, and it pierced Cody's heart. He thought she looked too happy to have any idea what had happened to Buck the day before. "Kept Buck out a little late, didn't you?"

"A lady never tells." Kat said playfully as she pecked Cody on the cheek, then hurried off to see Lou. Cody watched her for a few moments, hoping she would be okay.

Cody looked back toward Teaspoon's house and saw Buck and Kid walking toward him. He couldn't help but glare at Buck, knowing what his friend had done.

"Sleep well Cody?" Kid asked cheerfully as he approached the blond.

"Yeah." Cody smiled at Kid. "Since I didn't have Buck snoring all night." Cody knew he was known for his big mouth, and he wasn't going to keep it shut while he was angry.

Kid didn't know which way to look. Cody stood in front of him, looking smug as Buck's face went red. Buck stared at the ground, aimlessly kicking at dust. Cody looked pleased the secret was out.

"We got a lot of work to do." Kid said uncomfortably, wanting to completely ignore Cody's enlightenment. Buck quickly followed Kid to the barn. Cody practically growled in anger, but followed to help with the chores.

Buck couldn't believe Teaspoon had done this to him. He was the lucky one sent for supplies for the posse. He didn't like being in Tomkins store to begin with, and today it was a thousand times harder. He was hoping Tomkins would add a little faster, since Buck wanted to get out of there before Jen saw him.

"Hi Buck." Jen said brightly as she walked out of the back room.

Buck cringed at being caught by the woman who had, until today, brought him so much joy.

"Hi." Buck muttered, not looking up at her.

Jen's father looked up at Buck questioningly. Tomkins knew that sooner or later the half-breed in front of him would be his son-in-law. While the shopkeeper wasn't thrilled with the idea, he had to admit Buck had a good heart and was probably just as good as any man he could have chosen for his daughter. But, Buck's behavior today had him completely confused.

Before Tomkins could finish totaling Buck's purchases, a customer came in and interrupted his thoughts.

"Jen." Tomkins said. "Why don't you finish helping Buck, while I help Mrs. Wallace."

Jen nodded and took her father's place at the counter.

"Posse going out again?" Jen asked.

Buck just nodded, still not looking at Jen. Part of it was the way his proposal had ended. But part of it was guilt. In one night with Kat, he had betrayed Jen.

"Worried about it?" Jen asked, fishing for what was bothering him.

"No more than usual." Buck shrugged. Catching the thieves had been buried so far in the back of his mind, he hadn't thought much about it.

"I hope you're back in time to meet Matthew." Jen said cheerfully enough that it sent daggers through Buck's heart.

Buck shifted uncomfortably. The last thing he needed was to be reminded of the man who was keeping Jen from marrying him. And he didn't need to meet the guy. Buck already hated him.

"He'll be here day after tomorrow." Jen said. "And he's staying at least a week." She rambled excitedly.

"I'm sure I'll be back in time." Buck smiled through the pain for Jen.

Buck paid for the purchases and turned from the counter.

"Where'd you get that?" Jen asked, catching a glimpse of the gold watch Buck had hanging out of his vest pocket.

"What?" Buck asked.

Jen nodded toward the pocket and Buck looked down. He almost cringed at the sight of the watch. Not because of where it had come from, but because it was much too nice for him to be carrying around everywhere.

"An old friend." Buck smiled slightly, hoping he wouldn't have to explain who the old friend was.

"May I see it?" Jen asked innocently.

Buck shrugged and gently handed her the watch.

"It's beautiful." Jen admired. She wondered who Buck could possibly know that would give him such an expensive gift. She opened the watch cautiously and admired it. "What's this mean?"

"What?" Buck asked. He realized he hadn't even opened the watch since Kat had given it to him.

"My savior." Jen read aloud, looking at Buck questioningly as she closed the watch and handed it back to Buck.

"I really need to go." Buck said quickly, trying not the let on that the engraving had him just as curious as Jen. "I'll tell you later.

Buck turned away again and hurried for the door.