Chapter Five

A week later Teaspoon was sitting in the doctor's office talking to Tompkins and asking if he felt up to testifying at the upcoming trial. If he didn't, they'd have to postpone it and possibly let the men go.

"I can testify," Tompkins had said.

"Good," Teaspoon answered. "I can't wait to get rid of Mr. Jones. He's  trouble."

"So how did you know it was Zachariah Jones?" asked Bill Tompkins.

"Special made boots, and Buck's tracking skills," answered Teaspoon.

"He tried to convince me to join him in organizing a protection committee. When I turned him down, he told me to think carefully before I gave him my final answer. That night he came back and I told him again I wasn't interested and that if he suggested it to anyone else I'd tell you, Tompkins explained.

Teaspoon nodded.

"He left and a few minutes later those other two showed up. They tore some bags open, knocked that shelf over on me, then left. I kept hearing things outside, but I couldn't get loose. The harder I tried, the more it hurt. Then the fire started. I don't remember much after that," Tompkins concluded.

"You must have heard them getting things squared away outside. I figure they started the fire inside your room in the far back corner and then went out the alley door before it got too big," Teaspoon said.

"So how's you find me?" Tompkins inquired.

"I didn't. Buck did," Teaspoon replied. He let that information sink in before he continued, "He thinks he must have accidentally interrupted their work. One of them knocked him on the head. He woke up inside the store and heard you holler."

Tompkins nodded. "Seems I remember him being there. He alright?"

"Left arm got burned a bit, head was hurting, but he's doing fine now. He has an offer for you. I think you should hear him out. Listen to the whole offer before you make a decision," Teaspoon said.

"An offer about what?" Tompkins asked.

"I'll let him explain," Teaspoon said. "I need to get back to work. Should I send him over?"

Tompkins nodded. He put his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes.

Buck entered quietly. "Mr. Tompkins, you awake?" he asked.

Tompkins opened his eyes and nodded. "I hear I owe you."

Buck shook his head, "No, Sir," he replied. "I'm just glad I was there."

The two men looked at each other for a few seconds. There was an awkward silence that Buck finally broke, "Your store is ready to reopen. Actually, the other riders have had it open for a few hours each day all this week. I was wondering if you would mind if I worked for you until you're ready to come back. I know how to figure, and I could check in with you every evening. Doc says I can stay here at his place so I don't have to ride all the way out to the station."

Tompkins just stared at the boy for a few seconds they he asked ," Why?"

Now it was Buck's turn to be surprised. "Sir?" he asked.

"Why would you want to help me?" Tompkins asked. 

"Because you need help," explained Buck. "I can't do my express job for a couple more weeks. You need to have the store reopened. People in town need supplies. Just seemed like a good idea. I mean . . . "

Tompkins interrupted, "Yes, you're right. It is a good idea. You said you could open tomorrow?"

Buck nodded. "I may not be able to work the full day. Depends on how my arm does."

"Fine. If you can, while you're there tomorrow do a quick inventory so I can tell you what to purchase to restock."

"Yes, Sir. I'll do that and tomorrow evening I'll stop by to see what you want me to do next, and to go over the day's earnings," Buck said with a sign of relief. "I'll do my best not to let you down."

Tompkins relaxed too. "I'm sure you'll do fine. Thank you."

Buck turned to leave. He stopped at the door. "Do you want us to get word to anyone? Is there someone who could come help until you're better? I could write, .. ."

"No," Tompkins cut him off. "There's no one. I don't want to trouble Jennifer. She's just getting adjusted to her new life. There's no one else. I'll figure out what to do when you have to go back to work when the time comes. Don't write her, please."

Buck said, "I can't. You'd need to give me her address. She hasn't gotten in touch with me since she left. I guess she isn't interested in staying friends."

Tompkins sat up. "Teaspoon said the money from the cash register was brought here."

Buck nodded.

"You see that bag anywhere?"

Buck looked around the room and found the bag. "Here it is," he replied as he lifted it from the floor.

"Look in there. It should have a letter in it," Tompkins said.

Buck brought him the bag. Tompkins opened it and dumped the contents on his lap. He looked through the pile. "There should be a letter in here. I hadn't read it yet, but there was a page with your name on it. I know I put it in the register. I don't know where it went."

"It will turn up," said Buck. "Don't worry, Mr. Tompkins. We'll find it, I'm sure."

"Buck?"

Buck turned to face Rachael.

"I think you should let Mr. Tompkins rest, and you should get some rest also. You have a big day ahead of you," she said.

Buck nodded. "I'll see you again tomorrow night," he told Mr. Tompkins. "And I'll look for your letter."

Tompkins nodded. "Thank you," he replied. "I'll look forward to seeing you tomorrow."
 

Chapter Six

Things were going well. The store was open, customers were returning, both Tompkins and Buck were continuing to get stronger, The trial of Mr. Jones and his accomplices was almost over and Teaspoon was confident that it would end well. The testimony of Noah, Buck, Jimmy, Barnett, and Tompkins had been very convincing.

"I can't understand why I can't find your letter from Jenny. I don't know where else to look," Buck said at the end of the first week, as he sat in Tompkins' room at Doc Wheeler's.

"Maybe I didn't put it in there. I guess it could have been in my pocket," said Tompkins.

"Maybe, but I'll keep looking just in case," said Buck.

Tompkins nodded and finished looking over the receipts. "These look good," he said. "You're doing a fine job."

Buck smiled at the praise. It was strange how friendly Tompkins was being. Buck hoped it didn't all change when he got back on his feet.

"Doc said I should be able to try standing at the end of next week," Tompkins said. "Maybe I'll be well enough in a couple of weeks to go back to work, at least part time."

Buck's smile grew. "That would be great! Don't feel you have to rush back though. Teaspoon said we could keep covering for you until you can get back to work."

"I appreciate that, but I really need to get back to work myself. I hate laying here doing nothing. I can't wait to get behind the counter again."

"Maybe when you start to work, we can still help out. At least until you feel well enough to working all day," said Buck.

"That won't be necessary."

Both men turned toward the voice.

"Jennifer?" said Tompkins at the same time as Buck said, "Eagle Feather?"

Jennifer Tompkins stood in the door smiling at both men. She put down her luggage and crossed to her father's bed. She sat next to him and took his hand. Then she faced Buck, "Thank you," she said.

Buck nodded. He stood to leave. "I need to get some rest so I can go to work in the morning. I'll see you both later." he left and almost ran into Rachael on the way out.

She smiled.

"You took it, didn't you?" he asked.

"Took what?" Rachael asked.

"The letter," Buck said.

Rachael nodded and pulled the letter from her pocket. "I needed the address and then I didn't have a chance to return it. I decided I'd give it to him after she was here because I didn't want to give away my surprise."

Buck took the letter and put it in the pocket of the apron he was still wearing. He hugged Rachael and went back to his room. He would give the letter to Tompkins tomorrow with an explanation. He went to sleep with a smile on his face and had wonderful dreams about spending time with Eagle Feather.
 

Chapter Seven

A month later, Bill Tompkins entered his store for the first time since the accident. "It's great to be back," he said as he hugged Jennifer. "Thank you for staying, Jenny. I hope you won't be leaving us again soon."

Jenny hugged him back, "You're welcome, Father.  I don't plan on leaving anytime soon. I plan to stay as long as you need me."

Buck turned to leave. He had helped Eagle Feather, Jenny, get her father to the store. He didn't want to be in the way.

"Where do you think you're going?" Tompkins asked. "Teaspoon promised me that you'd stay and help, at least this week. Maybe longer."

Buck stopped. "Yes, Sir," he replied and went to get his apron and return to work.

A few days later, Buck and Jennifer were closing up the store. "Your father is doing much better. I should be able to stop helping soon," Buck said. "I guess you'll be leaving again soon."

Jennifer signed, "Yes, Father is doing much better. That's good and also bad. I'm happy he's getting stronger, but I hate that it means I won't be seeing you everyday anymore since you won't be helping here. I'm not planning on leaving again."

Buck locked the door and put his arm around her shoulder pulling her close. "Really? That's wonderful, and you don't have to worry about not seeing me. I'll come visit anytime you wish." He gently kissed her forehead.

Jennifer smiled and looked up at Buck. She reached up and kissed him on his check. "I'm glad to hear that,maybe that means we can spend some time together outside the store. I'm always so tired when we finish working, " she said as she took his hand and led him to the house she shared with Tompkins.

"Father," she said as they entered. "We've brought today's receipts."

"Good," said Tompkins. "I just finished getting supper on the table. I hope you like stew, Buck."

"Sir?" asked Buck.

"Why don't you stay and eat? I have another favor to ask you and hoped feeding you would help you be more agreeable," Tompkins said.

"Yes, Sir," said Buck looking at Jenny.

"What do you want now?" she asked. "Buck really needs to get back to his real job. You need to quit borrowing him, or he'll lose it."

"Well, I figure I can start back full time next week. I was hoping you and Buck would do a complete inventory for me before then. I don't think I'm up to the extra hours and the physical work inventory requires, and we really need to be ordering if we don't want to be caught short on something."

"I'd be happy to help," said Buck. "We can start tonight."

"Good. Now sit down and eat. You'll need your energy," said Tompkins.

Jennifer and Buck nodded. They sat and enjoyed a nice meal and then headed back to the store.

"Let's start in the store room," suggested Jennifer. "That way we won't have to worry when we sell items from the front."

"Good plan," agreed Buck as he opened the door and lit the lantern. "I'll just get the ladder from out front. We still haven't fixed the other one."

They headed into the storage room and began to take stock of the many supplies Tompkins kept on hand.

After a few hours, they had completed the inventory of the shelves in the old, undamaged part of the room. "I think that's enough for this evening," said Jennifer. She started to come down the ladder, but she misplaced her foot and fell. Luckily, Buck caught her and she wasn't hurt.  She wrapped her arms around his neck, "Seems like you're always saving me," she teased as she playfully kissed him.

As Buck placed her feet on the floor, she changed her kiss from a playful one to one full of passion and desire. "I think I ought to thank you properly," she whispered as she ran her hands through his long, silky, brown hair and kissed him again.

Buck returned the kiss then reached his hands to her hair where he undid the ribbon that was holding it back. He mussed her hair as it fell loose. He pulled her towards him and kissed her again this time letting his tongue explore her mouth, as they both gave into the desire that had been building since Eagle Feather's return. 

As their passion overtook them, Jennifer's hands moved down from Buck's head to his shoulders. She began to unbutton his shirt as he began to work on her dress. They were soon both half undressed and their hands began to roam over each other's body.

Buck gently caressed Jennifer's breasts as she rubbed his shoulders. She turned her mouth from his and began to place tender kisses all over his chest. After a few minutes, Buck stopped her and began to do the same to her. When he reached her breast, he gently nipped the nipple. He teased it with his tongue until it was hard. Then he gently began to suck.

Jennifer moaned slightly and pulled Buck closer to her. She could feel the desire growing in him. She let her hands wander over his body until she found the ties that held up his pants. As he continued to fondle and suck at her breasts, she quickly undid his pants. She gently pulled away from him and began to kiss her way down his body. She dropped to her knees and pulled his pants down around his knees. She gently kissed his penis and then took it in her mouth. She placed her hands behind him and pulled him closer to her. She rubbed him with her tongue and gently sucked.

Buck felt himself growing inside her. He took hold of her hair and pulled her even closer to him. As he relaxed his hold, she pulled away as she continued to pleasure him. She would work her way almost all the way to the tip and then work back so that he filled her mouth.

Buck's knees buckled and he fell backwards onto the pile of sacks behind him. He stayed here,
half-standing, half-sitting as Jennifer quickly followed and once again worked her magic. He was ready to explode. She pulled him into her mouth as far as she possibly could and sucked harder. A moan of pleasure escaped Buck's lips as he released his seed.

Jennifer stood and stepped completely out of her dress. She turned back to Buck and once again began to kiss him. He met her mouth and kissed her forcing his tongue into her mouth. He moved so that she was now resting on the stack of bags. He started to work his mouth over her body. At the same time, he  gently moved his hands down her body. When his hands made it between her legs, he stroked her clitoris with his fingers  and then gently inserted one digit inside her. After a few seconds, he knelt down to allow his mouth to join his hands. As his tongue entered her, she put her hands in his hair and tugged ever so slightly. He looked up. She tugged again and he stood to face her. She kissed him and then whispered, "Take me now, please." She reached down and found his penis and guided it while gently caressing it, causing it to grow once more.

Buck entered her and she shivered with pleasure. She turned her attention back to his mouth where she again kissed him. This time she gently sucked his tongue when he put it into her mouth.

He began to thrust. Gently at first and then harder and deeper. She moaned with pleasure and wrapped her legs around him to pull him in even deeper. 

They both came at the same time and lay wrapped together and spent on the top of the sacks of dried beans. They lay this way enjoying the closeness of each other's bodies for a short time.

Jennifer finally wriggled out of Buck's embrace and kissed him gently on the cheek. She found her dress and put it back on. Buck worked at reassembling his own clothing and was ready when Jennifer turned to him to let him refasten her dress. When she turned to face him, he drew her close and kissed her again. She returned the kiss and then looked at the storage room.

"I'm . . ." Buck started.

"Don't," Jennifer interrupted. "I don't want to hear about being sorry, or how wrong this is. I've been waiting for this for a long time. At first I thought it was just because I wanted to hurt Black Wolf, but now I know if wasn't. I love you, and I want to be with you."

"Are you sure?" Buck asked.

"Ever since I received Rachael's letter. When I found out you were injured, all I could think of was returning to help you. I'd already written Father and told him that I was planning on coming back to Sweetwater, and that I would be happy to work with him, spend time getting to know him, but that I was coming to see if I could start a relationship with you. I sent a note for you also. Didn't you get it?"

"That's the letter Rachael took to get your address. She didn't give it back until you were here. I didn't worry about reading it because I figured whatever was in it you could tell me in person. It's probably still in my apron pocket," Buck said.

Jenny smiled. "I guess it doesn't matter now. I have talked to Father, and while he isn't thrilled, he does understand. He knows that if I have to chose, I'll chose you." She hugged Buck and stood with her arms around his waist. She let her eyes travel around the room. She sighed and said, "I guess we didn't make too big of a mess," she said as she finished her survey of the room. "Except for that one bag of beans. I don't guess we need to be selling that one to anybody."

Buck looked to where she was pointing. He agreed that they had pretty well ruined the one bag that they had rested on. "I guess that one is mine," he agreed. They changed the count on the inventory and Buck paid for the bag. He took it in one arm and Jennifer in the other. "Shall we?" he asked nodding towards the door.

Jenny wrapped her arm around his waist and they left the store. They put the beans on the buckboard and returned to Tompkins' house. As they entered, Tompkins said, "You decide to do the whole store tonight?"

He noticed the blush that touched both their cheeks as Jenny answered, "No, just the part that wasn't in the fire." She glanced at Buck who was looking at the floor.

Tompkins smiled to himself then quickly returned to his serious state. He knew what they'd done by their looks. It was the same look he and Sally had worn after their first time. Come to think of it, that had been in her father's store during after hours inventory. Oh well. Tompkins chuckled to himself. He had decided that there was no way he could face loosing Jennifer again, and he knew that meant he had to accept Buck. That wasn't as difficult as he'd expected it to be. After all, the boy had saved his life.

Tompkins cleared his throat. "From the way you two keep looking at each other, I'm guessing that you plan on courting Jennifer."

Buck nodded.

"I know she's pleased. I guess she told you about what was in the letter that was misplaced."

Buck nodded again. He felt the tension of previous encounters with Tompkins returning.

"In that case, I have a question for you," Tompkins continued.

"Yes, Sir?" asked Buck.

"How many bags of dried goods did it cost you? It cost me two sacks of flour and a bag of beans."