'Can you tell which tribe?' Teaspoon asked quietly, the first to break the silence but implicitly trusting Buck's intuition.
'There's a broken arrow by the horses' he looked up concerned at their reactions. It doesn't look right Teaspoon, they wouldn't leave anything behind. They could be trying to tell us something. Buck looked up and pushed his hair back from his forehead ready for a fight.
'What could they be telling us?' Noah spat sarcastically 'One by one your friends are going to come back and take our scalps' he continued
'Noah calm down' Teaspoon spoke and pointed at him 'I don't know what you problem is son but that was uncalled for'
'Is it, ask him Teaspoon. He's he only one with anything to gain so far' Teaspoon looked between both boys confused, Bucks eyes flew to Lou's wide eyes.
'Lou can I talk to you alone please' he rapidly walked to Lou's side and led her away from the others before she herd something that would change their relationship irrevocably and force him to leave his home.
Realising that something was wrong, he waited until Lou and Buck were some distance away before he spoke again. 'This had better be good Noah' Teaspoon spoke quietly 'I heard in his own words, that he's in love with her, Kid and Jimmy have been taken by Indians. Doesn't that feel a little strange to you'
'I don't think that you of all peopled would use Buck's heritage against him. They boys are brothers to him, as you are.'
'It's just strange is all' Noah shrugged. Teaspoon crossed to stand in front of Noah and prodded him in the chest with his forefinger.
'This is your last warning son, leave him alone, what you have told me goes no further. You think they haven't had enough tragedy. I will not have that girl or that boy hurt. If you can't put your feelings behind you, then I want you to go back to the way station, but I would hope that I am not wrong about you, although I hope you care enough about Kid and Jimmy to stay.'
'You know I care Teaspoon' he spoke truly chagrined 'I just can't help but think that it is strange'
If what you are saying is true, then he will need all our support not suspicion, he loves those boys as much as we all do' Teaspoon stated looking into Noah's eyes seeing the acceptance of what he said reflected there.
He wouldn't be here now if he didn't care Ike who had been silently watching the heated exchange signed, not wanting to be drawn into a heated argument about his best friends loyalty.
Buck and Lou walked for some distance in silence, he took her hand in hi content to just walk and take her away from the arguments that he knew were taking place behind them. He knew that with the two men she loved missing, her emotions would be stretched to breaking point and he didn't want to have to add to her misery, however, now that they all knew how he felt about her it was only a matter of time until one of them unwittingly let it slip to Lou. As much as he hated the fact that she would then know of his true feelings, it could cause the close relationship they now shared to be strained or worse. If he felt that his revelation had caused her any discomfort he knew that regardless of the pain it would cause him he leave the way station and their lives, he couldn't bear to see her hurting anymore than she already was.
'Lou' he started his voice husky with the depth of his emotions ' I have something to tell you. I know that it will hurt you and I am truly sorry for that but I can't help the way that I feel' he looked into her already tear ravaged face and wished that he didn't have to do this.
'Buck you don't have to do this' she murmured almost sure she knew what was coming grateful to Buck for trying to save her possible embarrassment
'Yes I do. You have a right to know, before someone else tells you' he spoke almost absently.
Lou pulled him by the hand to turn him to face her, taking both of his hands in hers, she looked into his eyes and turned her tremulous smile to him.
'Buck I'm not stupid, do you really think that I don't know how you feel.' she could see that he doubted her and continued to talk ' I hate the fact that my being with Kid hurts you' she paused 'Don't tell me it doesn't I see your face when I'm with him' she spoke 'but I love Kid and I couldn't imaging life without him by my side, and Jimmy sometimes I don't understand what he wants from me, but you' she stroked the side of his face and cupped his cheek in her hand 'You wear your heart on your sleeve. I only have to look into your face to know what you are feeling or how you are hurting. I know that I hurt you, but I also can't imagine not having this closeness with you.' he drew her into his embrace and rested his chin against her hair
'I know that you and Kid are two halves of the one whole, and I would never come between you, I just didn't want you to be hurt by anything anyone else say' he spoke his heart, at least a little at peace knowing that he would not have to leave the way station.
She pulled out of his embrace and looked into his liquid eyes and spoke waiting for her revelation to sink in
'I knew how you felt long before my fall.'
On to Chapter Six
