Buck spent the day helping Kid to work with the new horses then took a shower and dressed for the party being given in his honour. He dressed in clean black trousers, a blue even weave shirt and his black vest. Tucking his medicine pouch into his shirt he carefully brushed his hair back and tied it with a leather thong. While he was not ashamed of his Indian heritage, he did not want to push it into the townsfolk's faces. The townsfolk had troubles he knew of late with Indians stealing their stock and some crops and he knew that trouble was coming. He just hoped he didn't have to become part of it. Leaving the bunkhouse he crossed to the house and waited on the porch watching Kid and Lou's ranch hands setting up huge picnic tables covered in red and white checkered cloths, placing big bowls of food and a basin full of punch onto the tables.
Turning to knock on the door, he entered when he was acknowledged and walked through to the kitchen where Kid was collecting some plates from his cupboards. 'You ready for this Buck?' Kid asked quietly shaking his head.
Buck watched his friend carefully, Kid was wearing a simple black suit and white shirt with a string tie. His hair slicked back and tucked behind his ears, he looked as uncomfortable as he always had in formal clothes. Buck knew he only wore them because Lou requested it, but he did appreciate that it was also for him on this occasion.
'I couldn't deprive your lovely wife of a party could I?' Buck laughed at the expression on Kid's face.
'Are you gentlemen ready to go to the party?' Lou spoke from the stairs, both men returned left the kitchen to meet Lou when she descended the stairs. Buck was not prepared for the site of Lou in a party dress. She stood at the top of the stairs dressed in a pale pink dress, the green velvet low cut at the neck to reveal a demure amount of cleavage, but covered with delicate lace to the high neck. The bodice body hugging to the tight waist and full flowing deep green velvet skirt. Her just below shoulder length hair was wound into delicate ringlets, clipped back with feathery clasps. She proceeded down the stairs slowly and at the bottom step she accepted a light kiss from her husband and a kiss on her hand from Buck before she spoke.
'How does a girl get an escort to a party?' she laughed softly
'Why I believe you have two here ready and willing Miss Louise.' Buck spoke kissing her dainty hand.
She accepted an arm from each of them and walked between them to the porch and her waiting guests. She stood on the porch between two of the most handsome men there and watched as her friends from the town walked and rode from their homes to hers. This was the first party she had given as a married woman and was very unsure of herself and her hostess abilities.
'Lou, I'm going to go and help Jimmy, are you alright if I leave you with Buck. I won't be gone long.' he knew how worried Lou was about the party being a success, but he also knew that he had to let her fly on her own.
'We'll be fine Kid.' she answered as he ran down the stairs and across to the corral
'Have you seen Jenny yet?' Lou asked as they walked down the stairs.
'Lou I don't know if I'm doing the right thing. she deserves so much better than me.'
'Dammit Buck. There is nobody better than you. If you don't tell her how you feel you are not only a fool but the worst kind of coward.' Lou left his side and walked across to Jasmine, one of her newest friends and a waitress from the saloon. Buck wandered around the party for a short time absently watching Lou while he greeted people as they spoke to him. Lou had definitely blossomed while he had been away, whether it was the fact that she was now open about her feminity or her response to being bathed in Kid's love or a combination of both, she was now the beautiful woman the boys had all known she could be. Buck was sure sorry that he had not been there for the transformation. Escaping the noise of the fiddle band that was playing beside the bunkhouse, he went to sit atop the corral rails and just watch the party for a while. He had been sitting there for some time when, he sensed more than felt someone beside him. He almost fell off the top rail when he heard their voice.
'I thought I'd never see you again Buck.' A husky feminine voice spoke.
Trying to recover from the shock of hearing her voice so close, he turned slowly to face the tiny blonde beauty who stood so demurely before him.
'Jenny, How are you?' he jumped down and took the hand she proferred for him kissing it gently.
'I'm fine now that I have come home.' she answered him softly her melodic voice wrapping him in its spell.
'Have you worked things out with your father?' Buck asked.
'He and I tolerate each other, his new wife doesn't like me at all, so life is interesting with them' she explained.
'When did you return?' he was amazed at the serenity on the face of the tiny enchantress who had taken his arm and was walking him away from the party
'Just after you had left to return to your people, I was so saddened that I had missed you, but you have returned safely and have made me the happiest girl in Rock Creek.' she smiled up at him
Buck was starting to think that the young woman who had so captivated him had been touched by the sun and was not exactly herself
'I came back to Rock Creek from the East to ask you to marry me Buck.' she spoke softly watching his face for his reaction.
On to Chapter Four