Teaspoon and the boys separated from the buggy when they reached town, having decided to spend the afternoon exploring town on their own. They wandered until they found a friendly looking little restaurant and stopped for lunch.

They ended up in an area of town that reminded them more of Sweetwater. It had more of a small town feel, although the smells of the big city were still there. They passed a schoolhouse, a livery, and a small grocery. Small children ran through the streets, dogs chasing at their heels. All three men felt more relaxed than they had since arriving in St. Louis. Buck especially felt less conspicuous, seeing an occasional Indian amongst the people.

They stopped to watch a game of chance being played on a sidewalk near a saloon. Small silver cups moved across a small table and people wagered on the location of a small pea inside. They all glanced over their shoulder at the sound of a wagon approaching at a fast rate of speed. But only Ike saw the small child toddle into its path.

Kicking his horse into action, he raced along the road, reaching down to scoop up the child, and continued out of the wagon's path himself. The wagon driver pulled his horse to a stop as Ike rode back to the child's mother, who was waiting on the boardwalk outside the general store. Buck and Teaspoon joined him and the wagon driver started his horses back up, at a slower pace than before. After accepting the woman's thanks, they rode on.

The city definitely held things that neither of the two riders had seen before. Teaspoon had traveled more and some of the sights weren't a surprise to him. They saw people displaying unbelievable wealth and men so down on their luck that they begged for money in the streets. A blind man wandered the streets, capably finding his way around with the use of a long, thin cane, while another staggered drunkenly through the crowd, bumping in to people just to be shoved away. They rode through an area of shacks, human waste littering the street, just to enter an area a few short miles away with houses larger than any they had seen so far.

Buck silently mused as to what any one family would need with a house so large. They were practically big enough to house his whole tribe!

They passed buildings with signs on them advertising variety shows, fashions from Paris, fine imported cigars, and fancy wines. They stopped in front of one of the cigar stores and Teaspoon purchased a few for after dinner that night. He also found a store that sold flowers (Buck thought this strange. Wildflowers could be picked for free on the prairie) and purchased a bouquet for Anna. Then they headed back to the hotel to change.

At the appointed time they were waiting in the lobby waiting for Majors. A couple walked by them, the woman glancing at Buck with a look of disdain on her face. When the man's wallet slipped from his pocket and dropped silently to the carpeted entryway, Buck squared his shoulders picked the wallet up and followed him out, returning the item to him and his companion. The man uttered a reluctant thank you and he and the woman hurried on. Buck shrugged slightly and rejoined his friends. A short time later Majors arrived and they climbed into the carriage.

Anna was a wonderful hostess. She paid extra attention to making sure that the three men from Sweetwater were comfortable and enjoyed themselves. When supper ended she suggested that they retire to the parlor, where she had brandy waiting and had hired three musicians to play for the evening. Buck had never heard music like this. Anna told him it was called chamber music.

As the evening went on Buck got a little restless. The men were all exchanging stories, and while he had been raised to listen to the stories of the elders, he didn't think that there were too many learning experiences to be gained tonight.

He wandered out on to the veranda, watching the night as the music played in the background. It was a clear night with a bright half moon and a sky full of stars. The crickets were singing along to the music from inside. He sat halfway on the railing, sipping coffee from a fancy china cup. Anna appeared at his elbow.

"I wondered where you disappeared to." She said, leaning her palms against the railing.

"It's a beautiful night. I just thought I'd get some fresh air."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea. Mind if I join you for awhile?"

"No. No, of course not."

"I was hoping to get a chance to talk to you. Alone. We haven't had a chance to get acquainted. I'd like to learn more about you."

"Like what?"

"Anything. Where you come from. What you enjoy doing, when you're not working and saving ladies in runaway carriages." They both laughed softly. "That type of thing."

"I'm not sure what to tell you."

"Let's start simple. Where did you grow up?"

"In a Kiowa village in northern Kansas. At least until I was thirteen or so. Then I went to a mission school."

"What about your family?"

"There's only my brother. And the other riders. They've become family."

"What happened to your parents?"

Buck hesitated a moment before answering, and Anna began to think that maybe he wouldn't.

"My mother died a long time ago. I never knew my father."

"I'm sorry if I got too personal."

"It's all right."

Anna paused a moment listening to the music. She began to sway slightly. She suddenly turned to Buck.

"I like this piece. Dance with me." When he hesitated, she approached him, taking his hands and putting them in place. "Dance with me! Come on." She began moving across the veranda stones, pulling Buck along with her in time to the music until Buck took over the lead. When the musical piece ended, she held on to him and started dancing to the next song.

"And just where did you learn to dance?" she asked as they moved in small, gentle circles.

"I don't know. Here and there I guess."

"Well you do so very well. I find you very fascinating, Buck Cross."

"Me? Why?"

"I'm not sure. You're just different from anybody I've ever met." She released his hand as the music ended but didn't move away. Buck made a move to step back, but she grabbed his hand, keeping him close. She stepped a little closer, reaching her hand up behind his head and drew him closer, giving the surprised young man a long kiss. He didn't resist and he wasn't sure himself why. Then she moved back, turning on her heel and returned to the parlor.

Buck stayed outside, confused and bewildered, trying to figure out why she had kissed him. Ike wandered out ten minutes later to tell him that Teaspoon was looking for him. It was time to go.

Buck fell asleep that night with the lingering scent of Anna's perfume on his cheek and the memory of her kiss on his mind.

On to The Conclusion!

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