"I'm sorry, Buck. It's just a lot to take in. I'm not ready to be married, but if I have to be, I know you're the one I would choose. I've never loved anyone as much as I love you, not even Kid. But I don't want to quit riding. I love working for The Pony Express, & I haven't got nearly enough money saved to get Jeremiah & Teresa out of the orphanage &…"
"Shhh, Lou. It's okay. Think about it for a while. I'm not asking you to stop working for The Express because I love it too. I want to help you get Jeremiah & Teresa from the orphanage. I know how much all this means to you & I'm glad you would choose me. Why don't I let you get some rest, & we'll talk about this later?" Buck interrupted, standing up.
"No, Buck, please don't leave…for long anyway. I mean, I guess you'd better go & tell Red Bear to prepare for the wedding. To prepare for OUR wedding." She looked up at him & smiled. Today was her wedding day, & she knew it was their destiny, she had dreamt about this very moment. Buck told her a long time ago that dreams foretold one's destiny.
"Are you sure? You really want to go through with this & marry me?" Buck questioned.
"Yeah. It is after all, our destiny." She announced thoughtfully, smiling at her fiancee. Although she hadn't been with the Kiowa long, she quickly adapted to their ways & beliefs. It amazed Buck how much she really loved him.
"Okay, I'll be back soon." With that, he left to tell his brother.
Back in Sweetwater
The wedding plans were under way. Tory had designed her dress & was hurrying the dressmaker to finish it. She had organised the whole event without even asking Kid's opinions or for his help. He didn't even know when he was getting married. Nobody told him anything. He was feeling left out, both of his wedding, & with his friends. It seemed that ever since he announced his engagement, his family had been avoiding him. He needed his friends around him, he needed his FAMILY around him, now more than ever! 'Am I doing the right thing, marrying Victoria?' he asked himself.
"Course not. You're a fool." Came the reply from behind him. He turned around & his face met with a familiar fist, knocking him to the ground.
"Jimmy, damn it. What did I ever do to you? Why the hell do you keep using me for you're punching bag?" He bellowed.
"Why do you think. You need it. You've been blinded by her witchcraft long enough & everyone here is sick of it. She doesn't love you she just wants something. Only thing is, I don't know what that is!" Jimmy replied.
Kid just stared at Jimmy & then walked away. He knew Jimmy was right, & he intended to find out what Tory's real reason was. He walked to the barn, saddled Katy, & rode off in the direction of Sweetwater Hotel.
Send Helen FEEDBACK
Return to The Wild West Book Store