DISCLAIMER: The Young Riders is the creation of Ed Spielman, and the property of Ogiens/Kane productions in association with MGM/UA television. This Story is created for entertainment purposes only, no infringement intended. Not to be copied without permission from the author.
'Father. No' Jenny cried as her father stalked up and pulled her from Buck's loose embrace
'No Injun will ever touch you again.' Bill Thompkins raged as he pushed Buck to the ground. Infuriated Jenny pulled herself out of her fathers grip, racing to kneel at Buck's side.
'You are coming home with me Jennifer.' Thompkins spoke clearly.
'Go Jenny' Buck spoke quietly 'He's your father, we'll sort this out tommorrow.' Buck was dismayed by Thompkins attitude, but he was crushed by the devestation on Jenny's face as he sent her away.
'He can't treat you like this.' she cried as Buck lifted himself from the ground.
'Jenny, please do as he says, we can talk to him together tommorrow when we are all calm.' he hugged her tightly then released her, desperate to ease her pain. Jenny pulled herself out of his embrace and stalked past her father away from the party and across town. Buck watched her go and then turned on her father. 'I don't care how you treat me but don't you ever treat her like that again' Buck spoke his voice full of venom.
''I'll treat my daughter any way I see fit' Thompkins answered.
'She told me how you treat her. How the thought of touching something that an Indian has touched repulses you. How you can't bring yourself to touch her the way you do your other child. How your friends whisper about her behind her back. You are such a good father.' he spat.
'What do you expect?' Thompkins tried to explain 'she has lived like a heathen. She isn't pure anymore. I'll never find a man who wants her' he stopped ashamed of what he had just said.
'I asked your daughter to marry me tonight, and she accepted. So you can stop looking for a man who will overlook her lack of purity' he accussed 'Jenny is pure and sweet and good, I love and accept her, and she will be my wife.' Buck pulled himself up to his full height waiting for an argument from Thompkins.
'My daughter will not be marrying an Injun.' Thompkins spoke, turned and walked back into town.
Jimmy who had been standing in the shadows, listening and waiting to come to Buck's assistance if he needed it, came forward and patted Buck on the back
'Are you alright?' he asked softly.
'Yeah, I forgot this town and it's hatred' he spoke.
'You can't blame them, the indians are stealing their livestock and crops, and killing people.'
'Only because they are being herded onto reservations with no food and no hunting' Buck explained flatly.
'What are you going to do about Jenny? Did you mean what you said' Jimmy asked changing the subject.
'Every word. I'll go and see him in the morning, see if I can make him see sense, and ask for Jenny's hand' Buck spoke.
Buck walked away from his friend and passing the others silently, he walked into the bunkhouse. Flopping onto his bunk, he stared at the ceiling going over in his mind, the events of the evening playing over and over in his mind. He hadn't thought that the one person could be so happy and so devastated in one night. He thought he knew Thompkins and his hate of Indians. He had even understood some of that hatred when he found out that his family had been stolen and held captive. Hearing the door open, he closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep, not wanting a long drawn out conversation with Jimmy.
'Buck I know you're awake' Kid spoke 'Lou sent me to find you.'
Buck rolled over and rested his head on his hand 'What does she want?' he smiled not able to be angry with Lou.
'Jimmy told us what happened. What are you goin to do?' he asked pulling a chair up to Buck's bunk side.
'I'm going to go and see Thompkins in the morning, and asked for Jenny's hand in marriage.'
'He'll never agree to that.' Kid replied.
'Well I won't be going away. He'll have to give in eventually. It dawned on me tonight that Jenny and I are meant to be together, here with our family. Now that I know that, Nothing will ever stop us. We're like two halves of the one whole.'
'Don't have to tell me. I know how that feels. You know that Lou and I will help you in any way that we can' Kid spoke holding out his hand to Buck to help him up. 'Lou said to bring you back to the house for some coffee and cake.'
'I'll be over in minute, I just need a couple of minutes alone.' Buck spoke softly.
'Sure, but don't be too long.' Kid put the chair back and walked out of the bunkhouse.
Several minutes later, Buck entered Kid and Lou's house and found them seated entwined on the sofa in the living room, a pot of coffee and a large chocolate cake on the coffee table in front of them.
'I hadn't realised it was so late' he apologised.
'Everybody went home about an hour ago, nobody was very festive anymore.' Lou answered.
'I'm sorry I spoiled your first party Lou.' Buck apologised, sincerely sorry for spoiling her night.
'Buck, you have nothing to be sorry about, Tompkins spoiled the night, not you.' she smiled as she spoke as she cut a piece of cake and handed it to him, then turned more serious.
'What are you going to do?' she asked.
'I have to wait and see what Thompkins will do when I ask for her hand. But first I want to ride over to Blue Creek in the Morning and buy her a betrothal ring. I want to do things properly.' He tried to appear happy for his friends sake but he knew that his immediate future would be stormy and troubled.
'Kid and I have spoken about it, and well we have decided that if she wants to leave her fathers home, she is welcome to stay here with us. She doesn't have to feel alone in the world' Lou explained to him.
'He'll cut off the station's credit.' Buck shook his head at their plans.
'You let us worry about that.' Kid answered 'He knows what it means to cross the Pony Express.'
They talked for a while, Buck finally seeing that with his friends help He and Jenny may be getting the start in life together they needed. He returned to the bunkhouse hours later for a little sleep, before setting out for Blue Creek to buy the ring that would signify the start of his new life.
Back to the last chapter
Back to Ridingtall
Back to Tall Tales
On to the next chapter
