CHAPTER ONE

I OWN NOTHING EXCEPT THE ORIGINAL CHARACTER OF ERIN

I know absolutely nothing about Kiowa courting rituals. The courting customs are made up by me. I do not intend to offend anyone as I am focusing on writing a romance, not historical fiction.

Running Buck Cross sat on his bed in the bunkhouse. He was alone, and he was glad for it. He needed time to think.

He and Erin, Emma's niece, had been courting for only six weeks, but Buck already knew he loved her more than he had ever loved anyone. He had every intention of marrying her, if she would have him, and had already begun the courting rituals practiced by the Kiowa. The problem was, Erin had no idea that she was participating in the Kiowa pre-engagement customs. Buck had convinced her to wear a courting braid, but had not explained the entirety of its significance. The braid was placed in the hair of a maiden being courted by a brave. The brave wove the braid as a symbol to the village that he had every intention of asking for the maiden's hand as soon as he was able to gather the necessary horses to present to her family. While tribal customs did not forbid any other braves from trying to win the maiden's heart during this time, most young men respected the braid and stayed away from the maiden.

The next step in the courting ritual involved the presentation of a necklace made by the brave's mother. The necklace was a symbol of the acceptance of the maiden by the brave's family and was her invitation to join his family. This occurred when the brave had offered the necessary horses and was waiting the standard week for the maiden's family's response to the request for her hand in marriage. The maiden accepted the necklace only if she wanted to marry the brave.

Buck had never formally participated in the courting customs as he had been too young to officially court Little Bird. His mother, however, had been excited about the idea of a possible future marriage for Buck and had begun making the necklace as soon as the announcement was made that the two would marry when they became of age. She had finished the necklace about two weeks before her death.

Buck reached under his pillow and pulled out an old scrap of deer hide. As he unwrapped the hide and reached the precious object inside, he remembered his mother's words: Give this to the maiden that holds your heart. Buck couldn't help but feel his mother knew in her heart that he wouldn't marry Little Bird. She had referred to the maiden that held his heart, not specifically Little Bird. His mother had always been wise and astute.

The necklace was a simple one, made of deer hide and small purple and gold beads. A small red stone dangled from the bottom center. It was beautiful. Watching his mother making the necklace was one of his most favorite memories. He knew how much this necklace meant to his mother, not only in the precious hides and vegetables she traded to obtain the materials, but for what it represented: happiness and a family of his own for her son. Buck has spent years thinking he would never find a woman he loved enough to give his mother's necklace to, but he had in the past few months.

Erin had come to Sweetwater for a long visit with her aunt. Buck felt he had loved her since the first moment he saw her, but he knew it was most likely infatuation with her beauty. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, but what made him fall in love with her was her kind nature. She truly held no malice in her heart for anyone. Well, except for those girls eyeing me a few weeks ago, Buck thought with a small grin. She truly tried to do always be the best person she could be, and she was accepting of all people no matter their circumstances or previous sins.

Buck wanted to give the necklace to Erin. He would ask to marry her tomorrow if he thought it wouldn't scare her away. It had been only six glorious weeks since she had asked him to dance at the last Sweetwater social, and he didn't think she had any idea how serious he was about her. Buck knew she loved him and cherished their courtship, but he just knew his feelings had to run deeper than hers.

Buck turned the necklace over in his hands. Should I give it to her? Is it wrong of me to not tell her that we are going through the Kiowa marriage customs? She does have a right to know. But what if I tell her and she decides she doesn't want to be so devoted just yet and she decides to not let me court her anymore? I couldn't take it if she did that.

Buck debated back and forth for a few moments, wanting to scream in frustration. These steps meant so much to him, so what harm could it do? He was the only one who knew what everything meant. Eventually, if she decided she would have him for her husband, he would tell her everything and they could have a good laugh at how frightened he was. Her husband, Buck thought dreamily. In my heart she's already my wife.

Buck sat up and rewrapped the necklace. Placing it in his pocket, he set off to find his girl.