Chapter 1

Buck raced his horse toward the sound of gunfire. He pulled it up short at the top 
of a hill, trying to access what was going on below him. 

Three men were firing on a wagon. The wagon's occupants, a large man dressed in a tan coat and hat and a tall slim young woman with long straight blond hair, were trying to defend themselves with a single rifle. Even as Buck watched, the man 
was hit by a well-aimed bullet and fell to the ground. The blond woman scampered to his side, checking him just briefly before picking up the rifle and firing at the intruders. He knew who he'd be helping. He gave his horse a kick and headed into the melee. 

He galloped on, his gun drawn and firing. One of the men fell over. Another man turned his attention toward Buck. Buck felt a bullet graze his right arm, but disregarded it as he dove off his horse and took cover behind the wagon, his gun firing once again. 

"Get under the wagon!" he yelled. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a flick of 
long blond hair as the woman did as he said, her rifle firing as soon as she settled underneath. Buck thought there was something familiar about the figure, but he didn't have time to think about it. 

One of the men moved his position, exposing himself just briefly. But his partner sent a volley of bullets at Buck and the woman, keeping them under cover long enough for the man to move closer. But the man made a fatal mistake in the next second, by popping up to fire. Buck's bullet dropped him. 

The last man decided that the odds were no longer in his favor and retreated toward his horse twenty feet away. Buck chased after him on foot, raising his 
pistol one last time. The man fell from his saddle. Behind him Buck heard the woman cry out. 

"Father!" He turned to see her run to the still form lying on the ground. The voice was very familiar. Buck got his first good look at her. 

"Eagle Feather?" He said under his breath, not believing his eyes. Then he 
realized that the man on the ground must be Bill Tompkins, the storeowner at first Sweetwater, then Rock Creek, during the time Buck rode for the Pony Express. He ran toward the two people. Jennifer Tompkins was lifting her father's head into 
her lap. 

"Jen! Is he alright?" Buck said as he kneeled by the woman's side. She looked at him like he was a ghost. 

"Buck? It's you?" she said as she stroked her father's face, then turned her attention back to the man. 

"Just my luck. To be rescued by a no good half breed." The man said as he struggled to sit up. 

"Good to see you too, Tompkins" Buck answered the crotchety man. Buck was never really sure just how much of Tompkins' attitude to take seriously. Instead 
he helped the man sit up. Tompkins had been wounded in the shoulder and was bleeding profusely. Buck helped the man remove his jacket so he could examine the wound closer. Thankfully there was an exit wound. Tompkins would be all 
right, with some bandages and a little rest. 

Buck went over to the wagon and rummaged around in it, finding a shirt that he ripped into bandages. He also found a bottle of whiskey that he would use to disinfect the wound. Then he helped Jen move her father over into a grassy area under some trees and he went to work. The young woman helped him, the two working as one. Then she pulled blankets from the wagon and made her father comfortable. 

"I can't believe it was you that helped us." She said as she studied the young man before her. Buck was using the numerous branches on the ground to make a small fire. It was late in the day and Tompkins needed some rest. Besides, Tompkins horses had wandered off, as well as his own, during the gunfire. He would go looking for them as soon as the fire was going and he knew the two were settled. 

"I could say the same thing. When did you come back to the area?" 

"I came back to see my father a few weeks ago. He wanted to go to Sweetwater 
to check on some the store he still owns there." Buck saw a shy smile cross her face and he returned it. 

"That's great. I've been living in Sweetwater. Well, outside it at the old Pony Express station. Been looking after the place for Emma. Lou and Kid have a ranch nearby." 

"What were you doing out here? We're at least two days ride from Sweetwater." 

"I had to go to St. Joe for Teaspoon. He's Marshall back at Sweetwater again and needed someone to escort a prisoner. I was just heading back." 

"Lucky for us you were. Right Father?" The older man mumbled, not wanting to admit that Buck had just saved their lives. Buck just smiled again and shook his head slightly. 

"I'm gonna go look for the horses. I'll see if I can catch some fresh meat too. There's a stream just over that rise if you need fresh water." He stood and trotted off in the direction in which his horse had gone. 

"You could at least be nice to him. He did save us you know." 

"He wouldn't know what to do if I was nice to him." Tompkins muttered. 

"No, he probably wouldn't." Jen said as she got up to go to the wagon. She pulled out the coffeepot and a pan, as well as supplies to make coffee and cornbread as part of their supper. 
 

Buck returned an hour later leading his horse and one of Tompkins'. He carried a pair of rabbits, which he and Jen skinned then skewered with green sticks, and set them over the fire to roast. Jen had already made coffee and Buck helped himself as she made corn cakes and placed them in a pan to bake on the coals. Buck sat near the fire to wait, sipping at his coffee. Then she set about bandaging the scratch on Buck's arm, something she hadn't noticed in all the excitement. 

"How do you like it back east?" Buck finally asked to break the silence. 

"It's alright I guess." Jen answered, glancing at her father who was dozing. "I still feel as though I don't fit in. So I thought I'd come back for a visit, see if it would work out back here, after some time had passed." 

"Will it?" 

Jen shook her head negative. 

"We're just too different I guess." 

"So what are you going to do?" 

"I'm not sure. I've got a lot of thinking to do." Tompkins stirred and the young woman stopped talking. A few minutes later, their meal was done and the three 
ate quietly, making small talk when necessary. Buck helped Jen clean up the dishes and they all retired for the night. 
 

Chapter 2

Buck woke before the others. Slipping out of his bedroll, he grabbed a clean shirt from his saddlebag and headed to the creek. Just a few yards upstream was a small waterfall, just tall enough to stand under and let the water sluice over him. He looked around, then stripped and waded in. The water was surprisingly warm, not cold enough to raise goose bumps. Buck figured it was because the creek was so shallow. The sun warmed it well enough during the day and it didn’t loose much heat during the mellow nights. 

He wasn’t complaining. 

He made his way over to the falls, stepping underneath the narrow spout of 
water, letting the water flow over his head. He tipped his head back and let the water run through his long hair and over his face. It coursed over his body, down his chest and stomach, past his manhood and down his muscled legs. It felt good. He stood there for several minutes, letting the water relax him. Then he knelt 
down to pull up a handful of sand from the creek bed. He used it to scrub at his skin, scouring road dust and dirt from his body. 

Jen lay on her stomach in the bushes watching. She had not been away from her Lakota family so long that she had forgotten how to be stealthy. 

In an Indian village, there are few secrets. Nudity, while not flaunted, was also unavoidable at times, and was not something to be ashamed of or embarrassed by. So she had seen naked men before. 

But it was different seeing Buck naked, and she wasn’t quite sure why. Was it because she found him attractive? 

Buck was not a large man, average height for a Kiowa, and slender. But Jen was not displeased by what she saw. His chest, like his jaw, was finely chiseled, his 
abs developed by years of hard work, his stomach flat. He was lean and athletic looking. Her eyes dropped lower and studied the muscle between his legs. Jen smiled. Very nice. He turned a little as he scrubbed at his skin, giving her a view 
of firm, round buttocks. Yes, very nice indeed. 

She continued to watch as he rinsed the sand from his body, his hands running over his chest, his shoulders, and his stomach. Jen held her breath as he reached his maleness, his hand rubbing and brushing any sand off that might have made 
its way there. A tingling sensation took over her body, especially the area between her legs. 

She backed out of the brush and headed back to camp. When Buck arrived a few minutes later, she had coffee brewing and breakfast started. A smile crossed her face whenever he wasn’t looking at her. 
 

Buck helped Tompkins into the wagon and hitched his horse and the one of Tompkins’ horses he had found. Then he climbed up beside Jen and they headed toward Sweetwater. It took them a little over two days to get there. Buck didn’t want to push too hard for fear of over tiring Tompkins. 

When they did arrive, he drove Tompkins straight to the doctor’s office. Then he took Jen to the hotel. 

“I’d let you stay out at the station but…” he started to say. 

“It wouldn’t look right.” Jen finished for him. “Besides, I should probably stay 
near my father.” 

“Yeah, that’s true.” He stood in front of her, not sure what to do. He knew what he wanted to do. Over the past two days he had begun to feel something for Jen. He wasn’t sure quite what it was, but he knew he had an overwhelming desire to kiss her. 

She solved everything for him. Leaning in she gave him a quick kiss. 

“Thank you for everything. It seems as if you’re always there when I need you most.” Then she turned and walked into the hotel. Buck stared after her, watching the way she walked, her shoulders squared off, her chin up, confidence showing whether she felt it or not. He finally turned and swung up on his horse, his eyes going back to the hotel door time after time. With a shake of his head he turned away and headed towards home, stopping at the Marshall’s office and then Kid 
and Lou’s to let them know he was back. 

Sleep that night was slow in coming. 

 
Chapter 3

Buck rose early to start on the chores. He wanted them done this morning so he could spend the afternoon with Jen. He started a rabbit stew in the bunkhouse, then headed to the barn. 

The station house wasn’t working as an active ranch, but since Kid and Lou’s 
place was still being constructed, some of the horses they were raising, with Buck’s help, were corralled here. Buck got them fed and watered and cleaned out the stalls. There were a few chickens in the coop and he fed them. 

Buck was trying to break a particularly stubborn grey mustang, and he debated taking some time to work with it, but he decided he didn’t have enough time 
before Jen arrived. He decided to catch a fast shower instead. He went in to the bunkhouse and grabbed a towel and clean shirt, then headed around to the side of the bunkhouse. 

He stepped into the shower stall. Teaspoon had built the shower shortly after the Pony Express had started up. The tank above collected rainwater, but during dry periods they were able to pump enough water up from the well to bathe with. 

Stripping down and laying his clothes over the stall wall, he pulled on the chain 
that released the water flow. 

The noise of the water covered the sound of the horse’s arrival. Jen heard the water and followed the sound around the corner of the bunkhouse. She could see Buck’s head above the shower stall before he saw her. A slight blush rose to his cheeks when he spotted her leaning against the bunkhouse wall, but he continued to wash, letting the water rinse soap suds from his body. 

“You’re early!” he called as he rinsed off. 

“No I’m not. I’m right on time.” 

“Then I must be running behind.” 

“Take your time.” She called back. She walked closer to the shower. Turning her back, she leaned against the wall so they could talk. She heard the water release once more. 

“How’s your father feeling?” he asked as he grabbed the towel and began to dry off. She could hear the material as it rubbed against his wet skin. 

“He must be feeling better because we had a fight already this morning.” 

“What about?” Buck grabbed for his trousers and slipped them on. 

“I told him I was coming out here for lunch…” 

“…and he disapproved of you coming to see a half breed.” Buck finished for her. 

“He’s just overprotective really. He’s afraid I’ll get hurt. Or I’ll want to go back to the Lakota after being around you.” 

“I’ll make you want to go back to the Lakota?” 

“Like I said, he’s overprotective.” 

“Well, he’s never really liked me either.” Buck put his boots on. But his hair was still really wet and he didn’t want to put his shirt on just yet. He reached for the comb. Jen glanced over her shoulder at him. 

“Actually, I think he learned to like you. He just won’t let you know it. It would be admitting he was wrong and you know he won’t do that.” She motioned him out of the stall. “I’ll comb your hair out for you.” 

Buck hesitated, not used to anyone helping him with such things. But he picked up his shirt and walked out of the stall and they walked around to the bunkhouse porch. He sat on the steps and she sat behind him and began to comb out his hair. 

“Anyway, the doctor is letting him move into the hotel tomorrow morning. Doc would have allowed it today, but I talked him out of it. I really wanted to come out here. Maybe that was selfish.” Jen shrugged. 

“I’m happy you did.” 

“You are? So am I.” Jen pulled the comb through his hair one last time. “Done.” She said. 

“Thank you.” He stood and slipped his shirt on. She reached up and began to button it. Buck was unsure what to think about this intimacy, but he wasn’t going to complain. “Lunch should be about ready.” 

“What are we having?” They turned and headed into the bunkhouse. 

“I made a rabbit stew with wild onions and cattail tubers.” 

“It smells wonderful. I haven’t had cattail tubers since I left the Lakota.” Jen looked the bunkhouse over. It hadn’t changed much since she had been here 
last. It was apparent that Buck was the only one living there, but he kept it immaculate. The only change she noticed was the addition of several Kiowa artifacts. A war drum hung on one wall, a pipe right below it. A hand woven basket sat on the table, and several others holding herbs and dried plants sat on the counter. The smells reminded her of the Lakota village and she felt a twinge of homesickness. 

“Rose hip.” She said as she fingered the contents of one of the baskets. “My mother made a tea with rose hips. It was very good.” 

“Do you know what else she used? We could make some if you’d like.” 

Jen looked over the baskets and saw that he had most of the ingredients. He 
filled a kettle with water and Jen added the necessary ingredients. Then he set it over the fire to steep. While it heated and brewed, he pulled bowls and spoons from a shelf and sat them on the table, and unwrapped a bundle of biscuits Lou 
had brought over that morning. 

“Just when did you learn how to cook?” she asked to make conversation. The 
stew did smell wonderful, the spicy aroma making her mouth water. 

“My mother died when I was young. Red Bear’s wife taught me. I guess she figure 
I would never get a wife after Little Bird was taken, and I would have to cook for myself or starve. Either that or she might be feeding me for the rest of her life.” 

“Who’s Red Bear?” 

“My brother. He’s a Kiowa war chief.” Buck began to ladle stew into the bowls. 

“And who is Little Bird?” 

“She was to be my wife. But she was returned to the white world when she was twelve summers.” 

“She was white?” 

“Yes. I saw her a few years back. She has married and lives in St. Joseph.” 

“Did you see her when you were there?” Jen was surprised by the twinge of jealousy she felt. But then she had been engaged before too. 

“No. Her husband doesn’t really approve of me either.” 

“I’m sorry.” 

“It’s alright. She’s happy. That’s what counts.” 

“Are you happy Buck?” 

Buck paused before he answered. It was something he didn’t really think about. 

“I’m not unhappy.” He finally said as he handed her a bowl of stew. He watched her as she digested his answer. “What about you Jen? Are you happy? Because I don’t think you are. Not really.” 

“I guess I’m not. I don’t fit in back east. I don’t fit in with my father.” She took a 
sip of the tea he had just poured. “The only person who seems to understand how 
I feel is you Buck.” 

“That’s because we’re both torn between two worlds.” Buck sat next to the young woman. His hand reached out to touch her shoulder in a gesture of comfort and understanding. 

“That’s how I feel. Torn. Is there a place that we can feel happy, Buck? A place where we fit in?” 

Buck turned the woman to face him. He placed his hands on her cheeks, his thumb brushing away the single tear that rolled down her cheek. 

“You always have a place here Jen.” 

“Have things changed that much in town? Have they finally accepted you? Or do they still see a half breed and they tolerate you? Do you really fit in here Buck?” 

“Some things don’t change Jen, and there’s nothing anyone can do to make that happen. Sometimes you have to accept what is given and learn to work with it. 
The townspeople tolerate me, yes. But some have truly accepted me. And I have 
a group of people that I call family. They see me for who I am, not what I am. 
They don’t judge me by my heritage, but accept and love my spirit. They would welcome you with open arms for who you are Jen.” 

“What about you Buck?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“Do you welcome me with open arms?” 

He answered her with a kiss. 
 

Chapter 4

Buck was the one to break the kiss. Jen’s mouth followed his as he pulled away, 
not wanting to stop. But then they both looked a little embarrassed. 

“I’m sorry…” They both said as one, then burst into laughter. Her hand rested on his chest as they laughed. They returned to their meal. Buck cleared away the bowls when they finished and Jen helped him wash them and put them away. At one point he turned and found himself face to face with her. He resisted the urge 
to kiss her again. 

What’s going on Buck? He asked himself. This is Jen. What are you doing? 

“I thought maybe we could go for a ride. It’s a lot cooler down by the creek. We could stop and see Kid and Lou on the way. I know they’d like to see you again.” 

“I’d like to see them, too.” 

But the pair never made it there that afternoon. As they finished cleaning up from their noon meal, Jen got a mischievous grin on her face. She didn’t know why she did it, it was certainly unlike her, but she did it anyway. It was as if some stranger took over her body. 

Jen reached over and picked up a glass of water from the table. Tapping Buck on the shoulder she dumped the glass over his head. There was a brief pause, then Buck’s face split into a smile. Jen broke into a run, Buck hot on her heels. 

She was fast, keeping ahead of him for several yards. He finally caught up to her 
as she entered the prairie grasses near the stationhouse. His arms managed to grab her around the waist and they both went tumbling to the ground. They were both breathing heavy from laughter and running. 

But as they caught their breath, Buck found his head dipping, beyond any conscious control, and their lips met. When her hand came up behind his head to encourage him, the kiss became more passionate. His lips parted and his tongue entered her mouth, running along her teeth. He sucked on her lower lip and her tongue joined his. Her hand caught his and brought it to her breast, then unbuttoned a few of the buttons on his shirt, so she could run her hand over his smooth chest. When he didn’t move to unbutton her blouse, she did it instead, pulling her camisole aside so his hand could find her bare breast. 

His hand cupped her breast, his fingers finding her nipple and gently pinching it. 
His mouth moved feather soft across her neck down to her chest, where he took 
in her breast, kissing it, sucking gently, her nipple hardening in his mouth. Her 
hand dropped between his legs, feeling the arousal already starting. 

“Buck,” she said throatily, “I want you.” 

He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. He wanted her too. Needed her. And it came as a total surprise to him. 

“Let’s go up to the house.” The words were hard to force out, his throat constricting. He stood and held out his hand, helping her to her feet. Gathering her in his arms, he kissed her again, his hands moving down her back to her derrière, which he gave a slight squeeze. Then he took her hand and led her to the station house. 
 

The man watched from a distance. He had watched the Kiowa carefully over the last six months, plotting his revenge. He knew when the Kiowa had moved back onto the station property, knew his routine, knew that he visited the house just a mile away daily. But today his anger peaked. He saw the long blond hair, knew the way the woman walked. Eagle Feather. With that half breed Kiowa. He would have her again. She belonged to him. 

He moved away from his perch, planning. 
 

Buck opened the door to Emma’s house. The place was kept spotless. Buck never knew when Emma and Sam might show up. Lou helped him clean it. The place was always dusted and swept, with fresh linens on the bed. 

He closed the door and kissed her once more. His hands went up to her blouse, taking care of the few remaining buttons. His mouth went down her neck once more as she stood before him. When she gained control of herself, she pulled his shirt from his trousers, unbuttoned it and slid it from his shoulders. Her hands 
went around to his back, massaging the muscles, gripping his shoulders as she pressed herself against him. Her hand came back around and played with his nipple. Then it dropped back down to his crotch. She rubbed him through the 
fabric and he gave out a low growl of pleasure. 

Gathering her into his arms, he carried her upstairs. When he put her down, it was in the bedroom, the feather bed looking very inviting. He kissed her again, his mouth claiming her lush lips, until she pushed him away a few inches. Reaching behind her, she unhooked her skirt and let it drop around her feet. Kneeling down, he helped her step out of it and untied her shoes, slipping them off her feet. She stood before him now wearing a camisole and pantaloons. 

Buck held his breath as she stepped out of the last few items of clothing and 
stood before him naked. Her breasts, while not large, were firm, her figure slim 
and tight. His eyes moved down her, taking in the pinkish color of her nipples, the blond hairs between her legs. 

“You’re beautiful.” he breathed out. Her hands reached forward. Buck stopped 
her, removing his boots and socks. Then he let her hands move forward, working the fasteners of his trousers. She slowly pulled them down, kneeling as she did, 
but not touching him. He stepped out of them and she tossed them aside. Then 
she stood and entered his arms once more. 

She could feel his arousal pressing against her stomach, and a tingling sensation started running through her veins. He picked her up again and carried her over to the bed, lying her down gently and climbing up beside her. Her hand traced a line down his cheek and his mouth found hers. She gasped slightly when his fingers 
slid between her legs, quickly finding her opening, and sliding inside. His thumb rubbed her bud as his fingers massaged her. He worked slowly, his hand below, 
his mouth on her breast. Her hands finally moved, caressing his back and down to his buttocks, squeezing the firm muscles. 

She felt uncontrollable shudders take over her body as Buck’s fingers continued to rub her. Her back arched and her breath came in gasps. When she was finally able to exhale, his mouth covered hers. 

She let her hand drop between his legs, touching his flesh for the first time. Her fingers wrapped gently around him. She could feel an immediate reaction as he began to harden. She moved her hand up and down his length, moving the 
foreskin as she did. The head of his member was exposed, the muscle swelling as she touched it. Her hand darted across the muscle, cupping his scrotum and squeezing each of his balls gently, then running back up to the head. One finger danced over the end. Buck’s eyes were closed, his head laying back as she kissed his throat, his Adam’s apple, his collarbone. His hand moved back to her nether lips. She was still moist and ready for him. 

“Buck…” He cut the words off with a kiss. Her hand led him to her, her legs spreading to take him between them. He shifted so he was on top of her, the 
head of his manhood gently pressing against her opening. He felt a slight bit of resistance as he began to push in. He stopped. 

“Jen?” he said, his voice deep and husky with desire, but puzzled. 

“Yes Buck, you’re my first.” She answered the unasked question. He started to 
pull away, but she held him in place. 

“Are you certain?” 

“I’ve never been so certain of anything in my life.” She reached down to touch 
him again, holding him as her hips moved forward, wanting him inside her, now. 
He moved gently forward, pressing carefully against her. She let out a quiet gasp as her hymen ruptured, then she spread her legs wider, her knees bending. He moved onward, sliding deep inside her, his hand supporting her back. She moaned again as tremors overtook her once more. 

He made slow tender love to her, wanting this to be for her. He was amazed at what she had just given him. He had assumed that she had already been with someone, with the Lakota warrior she had been promised to. His hips moved gently, their hands moving over each other, touching, rubbing, pinching, and caressing. His hand went back between their legs, rubbing her as his hips moved against her. Her breathing became shallow and he knew she was near. And so 
was he. He tried to hold out for her once more, pulling out, sliding back in. But she was tight and he didn’t have much longer. Her back arched again, her internal muscles clamping around him, a moan escaping her lips. 

He almost didn’t pull out in time. She held him inside, not knowing she did it. The head of his manhood was barely out of her before he erupted. Her hand touched 
his muscle as he released time and again. 

His mouth sought hers as he rolled over to his side. Her leg followed him and lay over his thigh, her fingers stroked his chest. They both fell asleep, a tangle of 
arms, legs, and sheets. 

He awoke an hour later, feeling her eyes on him. 

“I was hoping you’d wake up soon.” She said, a twinkle in her eye. 

“And just why would that be?” 

“This is why!” she exclaimed as she reached below and grabbed him. The rest of her followed and he felt her mouth take him inside her. 

“Jen! I thought…” 

“Just because you were my first doesn’t mean I don’t know a thing or two. I grew up in a Lakota camp you know.” She answered looking up briefly, then returning to work on him. 

Buck knew what she meant. Families shared a one-room lodge. He remembered waking more than once to the soft sounds of Red Bear and his wife making love. 

He was suddenly glad that she had seen and learned. Her hand moved up and down his shaft as her mouth sucked on the head and her tongue traced a pattern down the vein to his scrotum. When her mouth took one of his balls in he thought he would scream. His cock hardened almost immediately. 

“Whoa!” she exclaimed, surprised at the reaction. 

“Come here!” he took hold of her hand and pulled her onto his lap, facing forward. One hand came around between her legs, playing with her curls before finding her nub again. The other went to her breast. His mouth found her neck. She turned her head to kiss him. She could feel his manhood, erect, and rubbing against her thighs. Reaching down she guided it toward her opening where his hand had already made her moist. She was ready and didn’t want to wait. 

This time was definitely going to be different! He watched as Jen directed him in, her muscles expanding to accept him. He could feel her legs quiver slightly as he went deeper and deeper inside her. Then she began to move on top of him. His hands cupped her breasts and he kissed her shoulders as she began to move faster, coming quickly. He pulled out of her and she lay back next to him, her hand touching him. One eyebrow cocked upward in question. 

“Yes?” he asked her innocently. 

“What are we going to do about this?” 

“I was hoping you’d have an idea.” 

“Hmm. Why I think I do.” She started to climb out of the bed. 

“Just where are you going?” 

“I thought I’d take a walk. Get a little exercise.” 

“I’ll give you a little exercise!” Buck scrambled out of the bed after her. They chased each other around the room, Jen using the bed to separate them. When 
he jumped up on the bed and off the other side he caught her, her laughter 
slowing her down. His arms wrapped around her waist as they laughed, his erection lay between her thighs. When Jen grabbed the brass frame at the foot of the bed Buck slid inside her. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and looked 
back at him, pleasure on her face. She braced herself as he started to move, his hips pumping into her, her hips joining in the rhythm. His hands went to her upper thighs, holding her. She was already moaning in pleasure, her back arching. Her arms and legs threatened to give out as her whole body shuddered. 

He held her, easing her down to the floor. He took hold of her legs as he kneeled between them, opening her to him, and placed her feet against his chest, using a pillow from the bed to prop her hips up slightly. Then he entered her, his member hot and swollen, needy. She groaned with pleasure immediately. He needed to move in her, wanted to move in her, and he began a steady pumping movement, his hips grinding into hers as he moved himself around in her, just to pump again. She pulled his head down to hers, thrusting her tongue into his mouth, then released him so he could continue. 

She began to make a steady sound, not a pant, not a gasp before she cried out. 
He pulled out, his manhood swollen and ready to burst. She immediately grabbed hold of it, wanting to help him finish. He leaned back against the bed frame as she took him into her mouth once more. She slid him in and out, sucking on the tip when she got there, then slid him back inside. He knew he was going to come and tried to stop her, but she grabbed hold of his buttocks and continued until he emptied himself. Then she released him and crawled up to straddle his lap, 
leaning against his chest, holding his now limp member in her hand. 
 

Chapter 5

They made love all afternoon. When they were both totally exhausted, they slept. Buck awoke first, slipped on his trousers and went outside. The sun was just going down. He went over to the bunkhouse and retrieved the leftover stew and some dried herbs and plants. 

Then he heated some bath water. He was concerned that he had been too rough and that Jen would be sore from the afternoon’s activities, and he thought a 
warm bath with rosehips and mint might help. He had plenty of water waiting for her when she came down the stairs, still naked. Buck met her at the bottom of the steps. 

“I thought a warm bath might feel good.” He said, still breathless at the sight of her. 

“Only if you join me.” 

“Maybe in a few minutes.” He moved forward and picked her up, cradling her in 
his arms. Then he carried her over and placed her in the tub. She sank down in the fragrant water. 

“Mmmm. This is nice.” she murmured. He picked up a sponge and began to run it over her shoulders and down her legs. Then he stood and unfastened his trousers. Jen moved forward and he slipped in behind her. She contentedly lay back against his chest, his arms wrapping protectively around her. They soaked there until the water temperature cooled, no need for talk. 

When she stepped out of the tub, Buck wrapped her in a warm towel and dried her off. She did the same for him. They ate some of the leftover stew. Jen headed 
back upstairs. Buck cleaned up the tub area and turned down the lamps. Then he followed her up. 

Jen had put fresh linens on the bed and she lay there, wrapped in the towel. As 
he entered the room she opened the towel for his view. Her pale skin still held a pinkish glow from the warm bath, her nipples were erect from the change in temperatures. 

He dropped his towel and moved toward her. His mouth was hungry and he took possession of hers. His hands began to move, gently moving over her body. His mouth soon followed, stopping at her breasts and spending several enjoyable moments there. But then he was on the move again, his tongue entering her 
navel. As he moved down still further, he grabbed hold of her and moved her 
closer to the edge of the bed. Kneeling down, he placed her legs over his 
shoulders, kissing her behind the knees as he did. His lips then moved over her thighs before finding the spot that would please her most. 

His thumb and finger separated her lower lips, one finger finding her nub. His mouth joined it there. He kissed and licked, occasionally biting gently as he 
rubbed her with his finger. Her legs began to quiver and she couldn’t stop herself from trying to move her legs closer together. Her fingers tangled in his hair as shudders overtook her body. 

They both moved up onto the bed and he lay beside her, taking her into his arms. She lay her head against his chest, moving her leg between his. He shifted 
position and let her put his member inside her. They fell asleep. 
 

~*~*~
 

It was well after midnight when a noise caused Buck to awaken. He lay there tangled in Jen’s arms, listening. The mustang was stomping nervously in the breaking corral. 

Buck had been having trouble with a coyote and been awoken this way many nights. He slowly disentangled himself and, grabbing his trousers and boots, 
made his way quietly down the stairs and onto the porch. He stopped there and 
put on his pants and boots, then moved quietly toward the bunkhouse. He didn’t have a weapon up at the house. He decided to get the bow he had under his bunk so a gunshot wouldn’t wake Jen. He was anxious to get back to her warm body 
and soft touch. 

He was passing the barn when he heard the noise. Before he could react 
something hard smacked into the side of his head and everything went black. His assailant gave him a hard kick in the ribcage and, when getting no reaction, left 
the young man for dead. 

Black Wolf entered the house silently, locating Jen by the slight creaking of the bedsprings as she shifted in her sleep. He crept up the stairs and approached the bed, observing the woman he was once to marry. She lay there, barely covered in white sheets, sleeping peacefully, a satisfied smile on her face. His anger boiled inside him. He reached out his hand to cover her mouth, suppressing the scream that came instantly to her lips, grabbing her wrists to keep her from fighting back. Then he slugged her, knocking her unconscious. He gathered her up in the sheets, grabbed her clothes from the floor, and carried her out to his horse. 
 

Heavy dew settled over the ground in the early morning hours. It was this 
wetness that aroused Buck. He fought to open his eyes. His head felt heavy and the pain was almost more than he could take. His hand came up to feel the side of his head and came away wet and sticky. He tried to push himself up, but his head swam and he couldn’t focus his eyesight. His right arm gave out and he fell to the ground, unconscious once more. 

As the sky to the east began to lighten he awoke once more. He managed to push himself up onto his hands and knees, his vision still swimming. He forced himself 
to his feet and staggered toward the house, falling twice before reaching the 
porch. He tripped on the stairs, landing hard and rolled onto his side, clutching his broken ribs until the pain subsided. The he struggled to his feet once more and managed to enter the house. 

“Jen!” he called out weakly, barely a croak. Gathering a lung full of air he called 
out louder. There was no answer. Half crawling, half climbing, he made his way up the stairs and into the bedroom. It was empty. 

He lay there for several minutes, trying to gather his strength. His vision came 
and went. He knew he was badly hurt, but he also knew that Jen was missing. Somehow he found the strength and ability to make his way to the barn. There 
was no way he could even consider picking up the saddle, so he pulled himself carefully onto the horse’s bareback. Leaning against his mount’s neck he walked the animal out of the barn. 

His intention was to go get Kid and Lou. He needed help. But as the horse walked into the yard Buck’s vision cleared a bit and he saw the set of tracks leading away from the house and toward the hills. Help forgotten, he followed the tracks. 
 

Chapter 6

“Get your hands off me! I’m leaving and you’re not going to stop me!” 

“You are going nowhere Eagle Feather. You will stay with me.” Black Wolf 
grabbed hold of Jen to keep her from moving away. 

“No I won’t. Some time you will have to sleep. And I will be gone. I’m going back 
to Running Buck.” 

“So you can lay with that Kiowa mongrel again?” 

“You have no choice. I am no longer yours. That ended the day you killed April 
and my mother!” Jen referred to an incident that occurred after she was first returned to the white world. Her mother had decided to return to the Lakota with Jen’s half brother Two Ponies. April and her husband offered to give her a ride 
close to the camp. Black Wolf had killed April and her husband and had taken Shining Eyes back to camp. Black Wolf had then shot Shining Eyes, her mother, as she moved in between Black Wolf and his intended victim, Eagle Feather. 

“You are too late. The Kiowa half-breed is dead. I bashed his brains in. I only wish that I had taken the time to remove his hair. It would have made a good trophy.” 

Jen felt a hard knot develop in her stomach. Buck, dead? It wasn’t possible. 

“No…” It came out in a whisper. Then anger overtook her and she struck out at him, her hand connecting with his cheek in a stinging slap. He grabbed hold of her tighter and they began to struggle. He ended up throwing her onto the ground 
and managed to tie her hands once more. Even though she was bound tightly she still struggled and fought. Black Wolf straddled her and, grabbing her head 
between his hands leaned over and forced a kiss on her. When she bit his lip, he slapped her again. And continued to hit her, over and over. 
 

“Morning Teaspoon! Where’s Buck?” 

“Buck’s missing. Jennifer Tompkins is too. We’ve got a big problem.” The Marshall stood near the station house where he had been searching for sign of Buck. 

“He was suppose to come over to the house for breakfast and help with the 
corral. When he didn’t show, Lou and I came to check on him. He was, um, well a little occupied yesterday.” Kid replied as he and Lou followed the older man 
toward the barn. 

“Tompkins was raising a fuss this morning because Jen hadn’t returned last night from visiting out here. So I came out to get her for him. I just got here a little bit ago myself. And I found this.” He stopped near the barn. The pool of blood was obvious. So were the signs of the person lying here struggling to his feet and heading toward the house. 

“There’s blood in the house and in the barn too. His horse is gone. It appears he followed some tracks that way.” Teaspoon pointed to the hills. 

“And Buck’s hurt badly.” Lou stated the obvious, still looking at the amount of blood soaking into the ground. 

“Yep.” 

“Then lets go help him.” 
 

Buck sat his horse in a stand of trees, using his ears as much as his eyes to find 
the trail again. It was around noon. He had been trying to track the horse that had taken Jen all morning, but his eyesight kept fading in and out. He knew he should have gone for help, realizing that he had no weapon other than his knife in it’s 
boot sheath, and he was in no condition to use even that. He had had to stop frequently, sometimes passing out and even falling from his horse. This did 
nothing to help his aching ribcage and the sharp pains in his head. 

If he was able to judge things properly, he figured he was less than an hours ride from the station house, but it had taken him around six hours to get to this point, after taking so many stops and having to back track repeatedly. 

But he knew he was very close now. He could hear voices, angry voices, just a short distance ahead. But he needed to be sure that Jen was there. As he moved closer the voices got louder and he could tell for sure one voice was a woman’s. 

He carefully made his way to the edge of the camp. He saw a Lakota warrior. As 
his vision swam in and out he saw that the man sat atop a woman. When he saw the blond hair he knew he had found her. He kicked his horse onward, barely holding on, and galloped into the clearing. 
 

Black Wolf found he enjoyed slapping Eagle Feather. In fact it excited him. He would teach her a lesson. Reaching down he ripped open the blouse he had 
allowed her to put on, exposing her pale breast to his view. His hand reached 
down to touch it, pinching her nipple roughly. When the dazed girl failed to react 
he took hold of her nipple and twisted it until she cried out in pain. She roused herself enough to spit in the man’s face, receiving a hard smack across the face 
for her trouble. 

Fully aroused, he reached down and pulled on her skirt until the fabric was torn or bunched enough to give him access to her private area. She struggled between 
his legs, but this only excited him more. Holding her tied hands with his left hand, he used his right hand to push aside the fabric of his breechcloth, pulling out his engorged member. Using one of his legs to part hers he moved to enter her. He was going to enjoy this! He had waited a long time for it. 

He was so intent on his actions that he didn’t hear the horse until it was almost on him. Buck threw himself off the horse and collided with Black Wolf, knocking the man off of Jen and onto the ground. But it also knocked the wind out of Buck and 
he felt the sharp pain of his injured ribs. Buck rolled on the ground and Black Wolf was quickly on top of him, grabbing him by the hair and slamming his head against the ground. Buck’s head swam and he fought back the waves of nausea that threatened to overtake him. 

“Jen! Run!” Buck managed to get out. Going by instinct more than vision Buck reached up and grabbed one of Black Wolf’s arms, his weak right arm pushing against the man’s face. He knew he had no chance of fighting the Lakota off. All 
he hoped was to slow him up so Jen could get away. He knew he would die in the process. He was sure he was dying anyway. He had accepted that during his search. 

He struggled anyway, the will to live not giving up. But his right arm suddenly 
gave out. He tried to use it to grab hold of the warrior, but it wasn’t doing what he expected it to do. He felt a sharp, burning pain in his upper chest, heard Jen’s scream and a gunshot. Then what little vision he had left went black. 

Teaspoon, Kid and Lou hurried to the encampment as fast as they could. By the time they got there Jen was cradling Buck’s limp form in her lap as silent tears 
ran down her face. Black Wolf lay dead a few short feet away, the victim of one of Kid’s well placed bullets. 

 
Chapter 7

They stood on the porch of the station house, Teaspoon, Kid, Lou, and Tompkins. Jen had insisted on staying with Buck and the doctor had finally relented. 

Teaspoon, Kid and Lou had wasted no time when they had come upon Buck and 
Jen in the encampment. Teaspoon and Kid tried to find the makings of a travois as Lou helped Jen. The two women used the sheet that Jen had originally been wrapped in and bound the knife wound on Buck’s chest. Black Wolf had tried to drive it into Buck’s heart, but Buck had grabbed at him and shifted the entry 
wound toward the left shoulder. Still, the wound was serious and bleeding heavily. 

When Buck was finally transferred to the travois, Kid rode off toward Sweetwater for the doctor. Everyone feared that Buck would not make the trip into town, so they had decided on returning to the stationhouse. 

They carried him upstairs to the bedroom, Teaspoon trying to settle him as Lou 
put water on to heat so they could sterilize bandages and have hot water to clean his wounds. Jen stayed by his side, talking to him, helping Teaspoon when she could. It seemed like forever before the doctor arrived, Tompkins in tow. 

The small group spent the time pacing. Tompkins grumbled a lot about the riders being nothing but trouble, Buck especially, but was cut off by three sets of glaring eyes. 

“I telegraphed Emma and Rachel.” Kid said distractedly, his eyes darting to the doorway. 

“We don’t really have much to tell them yet Kid.” Teaspoon said softly. 

“I know. I just said that Buck was seriously injured and we’d let them know anything further.” When Teaspoon looked at him quizzically Kid added, “They 
need to know Teaspoon. They’d be mad if they didn’t. Neither of them were able 
to be there when Ike… Anyway, I also tried to locate Jimmy and Cody.” 

“You’re right, Kid.” 

Everyone’s attention was suddenly at the door as the doctor walked out. The man shook his head as he wiped his hands on a towel. 

“I’m not gonna lie to you. It doesn’t look good.” The man said. Kid immediately 
put his arm around Lou’s shoulders. 

“Go on Doc.” Teaspoon prompted. 

“The chest wound is bad enough, but he was fairly lucky there. If that were his 
only injury I’d say he’d have no problem recovering with a lot of rest.” 

“But…?” 

“But the head wound is bad. Whatever he was hit with should have killed him. I don’t know how he did what he did. He’s still breathing anyway.” 

“What are you tap dancing around Doc?” 

“He’s in a coma. I have no way of telling if he’ll awaken or not. Head wounds are…well, we just don’t know enough about them. We don’t know what’s going on in there well enough to know how to treat it. And I’ve got to repeat myself, the wound is very bad. I’ve never seen anyone survive a blow to the head that severe.” 

“Can we see him?” Lou asked quietly. Kid’s arms tightened around her shoulders. They both knew they were facing the death of yet another member of their extended family. 

“Go on up. I’ll be there in a moment to show you how to care for him.” 

Kid and Lou entered the house. The doctor stopped Teaspoon and Tompkins 
lagged behind with him. 

“Teaspoon, I need to be very blunt with you. He’s got two cracks on the head. 
The one on the back of his head isn’t life threatening. But the first one, well, I’m certain his skull is cracked. It is very rare for anyone to survive an injury like that. And if they do they’re rarely the same.” 

Teaspoon studied the man’s face, then nodded, his voice catching in his throat. 

“What about my daughter?” Tompkins demanded. 

“I took a few minutes to examine her. She’s bruised and sore but she’ll be all 
right. There are marks on parts of her body,” the doctor paused, trying to find the right words, “But she says that the Indian didn’t harm her anymore than slapping her around.” 

“But her clothes were torn. Was she raped?” 

“She says she wasn’t.” 

“And what do you say? You examined her didn’t you?” 

“She says she wasn’t and I’m taking her at her word. She’s a strong girl and is perfectly alert. I have no reason not to believe her.” 

“Okay. Well, let’s go up.” Teaspoon entered the house and climbed the stairs. Tompkins stayed on the porch, preferring to fret and stew over his own ideas of what might have happened. It was for the best. After all, the man was recovering from a bullet wound himself. And Jen didn’t need the added stress of dealing with her father just yet. 

Teaspoon stopped in the doorway. If anything the boy lying in Emma’s bed looked worse than when they’d found him, despite the fact that the blood had been cleaned away. He was very pale, especially for him, and the bandages around his chest and head did nothing to help that. The doctor had shaved some of the hair from around the wound and the balance was pulled away from it and tied back. 
Jen wouldn’t let him shave off anymore than necessary. 

Worse yet, he was barely breathing. Teaspoon had to study him very hard to see the rise and fall of his chest. And he was very still. Teaspoon couldn’t even see movement behind his eyelids, which you could see occasionally when someone was just sleeping. 

Teaspoon squared his shoulders and continued into the room. He stopped at Jen’s side. 

“You okay?” he asked softly. She nodded. Then he knelt at Buck’s side. 

“I don’t know what’s happening in that head of yours right now Buck, but you’ve got a roomful of people praying that you get better real soon. Now I know you, 
and I know you wouldn’t want to disappoint us.” Then he stepped aside to let the doctor instruct them in Buck’s care. 
 

Kid and Lou moved in to the bunkhouse. Kid took care of the horses at both homes and helped as much as he could with Buck, but Lou and Jen did most of the work the first two days. They both lovingly kept him washed and clean, fed him broth and talked to him. The doctor had told them to turn Buck on his side regularly. It would help prevent bedsores and, hopefully, pneumonia. 

On the morning of the third day the doctor arrived with a passenger. Emma stepped down and silently entered her house. She removed her hat and lay it on the table, looked around, then went upstairs and into the bedroom. Jen was resting, lying on a cot near the bed. Lou sat on the edge of the bed, gently spooning broth into Buck’s mouth. She jumped slightly when she heard Emma’s voice. 

“I remember doing that for Ike once. And now it’s Buck.” 

“Emma!” Lou exclaimed in a low voice, not wanting to wake Jen. She rushed into the woman’s arms. “I’m so glad you came.” Then she added in a whisper, just in case Buck could hear, “It’s not good Emma. The doctor doesn’t think he’ll make 
it.” 

“I know, Lullabelle. I rode out with Doc.” She gave the girl an extra squeeze then stepped toward the bed, pausing for a moment. “I couldn’t stand the thought of not being here. I wasn’t for Ike. I’ll always regret that.” Then she moved over to the bedside, kneeling by him. Her hand reached out and stroked his forehead. Kid came up the stairs, alerted by the doctor that Emma was here. He placed his arm around Lou’s waist and she turned burying her face in his chest, relief that there was help and worry for her friend overcoming her. She cried silent tears as her husband held her. They both listened as Emma talked to Buck. 

“Buck? It’s Emma. I need you to wake up. Do ya hear me Buck? I want you to 
wake up so we can talk. I’ve got so many things to tell you and the others. In fact I’ve got news that only Sam knows. Wake up so I can tell ya.” When he didn’t respond, she just sat there, stroking his hair. 

“Okay Buck, you rest a bit. We’ll talk in a little while.” She stood and walked over 
to greet Kid. The doctor entered the room and began to examine Buck. The three old friends stepped into the hall so the doctor could work. 

The doctor exited the room a half an hour later shaking his head. 

“No changes. He’s no better. But he’s no worse either. I’ll be back in the 
morning.” Kid walked him outside as the two women went back to his bedside. Emma sat on the edge of the bed and hummed a lullaby. 
 

The family fell into a routine. While they all knew that caring for Buck could consume all their time, by choice, as the days went by they realized that they 
had to start living some sort of life again. Emma reluctantly went into town for church services and for supplies once a week. Lou resumed helping Kid with their own homestead as well as caring for the stock located at Emma’s. They 
convinced Jen to finally leave Buck’s side and get some real rest and once rested and somewhat recovered herself she would spend time in the garden Buck had planted after his return to the station. 

Jen had had a huge fight with her father the day Buck was injured and she was kidnapped. Tompkins of course wanted her to return to town with him. She had refused, wanting to help care for Buck. Tompkins had stormed off with the doctor, returning three days later, the day Emma arrived, to try again. When she still refused, he left, vowing that she would have to come to him if she wanted him for 
a father. 

No one knew that his gruff attitude was out of concern for Jen and not dislike for Buck. He really did like the boy, but whenever Buck and Jen got together, heartache for Jen, and himself, always followed. The first time the two had met Tompkins wife had been killed. Then Jen left him to go back east. 

When Jen had come back to try a second time as a family, Buck had shown up in her life again. And it looked like she had been hurt again. And could be even more so. He could tell by his daughter’s actions that she was having some feelings for the half-breed. This in itself would not be a life Tompkins wanted for his daughter. Besides, the boy probably wouldn’t even live past the next few days.