CHAPTER 1

Buck and Cody wandered into the Silver Springs Saloon. The scent of whiskey and cigar smoke filled the air. The smell almost turned Buck's stomach as he continued to survey his surroundings. Cody approached the bar, "Two sarsaparillas, please."

A voice came from behind him, "And a whiskey." Cody turned around to face the direction of the voice setting his eyes on the slender figure. As Buck approached them the bartender replied, "I'm sorry, we don't serve ladies."

"I don't see no ladies here."

With that Buck turned his attention to the angry saloon go-er. She was dressed in dust covered slacks and jacket. Her long sandy brown hair poked out from under her tan hat and hung down her back in a tight braid. As he trailed his gaze down her body his attention was quickly grabbed by the pearl handled Colt hanging on her left hip very obviously placed for quick access. He noticed a very delicately painted single red rose adorned the handle. His eyes trailed back up her body to meet her glare. Buck couldn't help but stare. Those were the most beautiful green eyes he had ever seen, but there was an anger behind them he couldn't place.

The bartender now turned his attention to Buck. "We don't serve Indians, either." No sooner did he get the words out of his mouth was he staring down the barrel of that pearl handled colt.

"I said there ain't no ladies here, now serve me my drink or you're gonna be eatin' the barrel of this here gun. While you're at it, get this gentleman his sarsaparilla," motioning to Buck.

This wasn't the first time Buck and Cody had found themselves caught in the middle of a saloon standoff, but they were caught off guard about who exactly was ready to do the shooting. As she released the bartender from her grips he quickly placed the sarsaparillas and whiskey shot on the bar and darted off to the other end, his knees shaking with every step.

"If you ain't a lady, what are you?" Cody questioned as she re-holstered her weapon.

She downed her whiskey shot, "Ladies wear fancy dresses and speak proper hoping to impress some young suitor. Do I look like that holds any importance to me?" Cody shook his head.

"I'm a woman." She turned her attention back to Buck. "You a half breed?" Buck stared at his drink ignoring her. "Well, half breed, you're welcome."

"I didn't ask for your help," Buck continued looking down trying desperately to avoid eye contact with the woman and those sparkling eyes. "Consider it my good deed for the day," she replied as she turned her back to the two riders.

The saloon doors violently swung open causing a hush to fall over the crowd. All eyes turned to the dark figure standing at the opening. "Jane Marks?" the gruff voice shouted across the room. Buck turned his attention to the gun clad woman as she turned her attention away from the doors and back to the bar picking up the bottle of whiskey. As she poured another shot the question was repeated. "Jane Marks?"

"Who's askin'?" she shouted in no particular direction before taking a swig of the shot.

"Jack Roberts. I'm calling you out on behalf of my brother, Matthew. You shot him in Willow Springs and now it's time I return the favor."

"Be out in a minute" she stated almost too calmly. With that the dark man turned his back and headed out of the saloon.

Buck gave Cody a worried look as their eyes focused on Jane. Cody was the first to speak, "Are you really gonna take on a man like that?"

"Not the first time," she replied. Jane grabbed the bottle of whiskey, took another swig and headed for the door.

"Cody, maybe we should go out there." Buck's worry grew with every second.

"Why? This ain't our fight, besides, that there is a woman who can handle herself. Did you get a look at that rig?"

"Something tells me this isn't gonna be a fair fight, Cody. Just come on." Buck moved for the door as Cody took a sip of his sarsaparilla, rolled his eyes and followed.

Once outside they find Jane standing no more than 20 paces away from her target with hand ready. Her eyes fixed on the dark man ahead of her. As Cody watched the scene unfold he picked up a reflection bouncing off something metallic in the store window across the street. He went for his gun, but was beaten to the punch by the sound of Buck's weapon firing beside him. At that moment, the dark man drew his gun, but was quickly out drawn by his female opponent and fell dead to the ground. Jane just stared at the body as she re-holstered her piece.

She turned to her two followers ready to give them a scolding when she caught the glint of a rifle to her left. She ran toward Buck and Cody leaping in front of them as two shots rang out. Buck hit the ground hard with the rough woman lying on top of him. The seconds passed with almost no movement from either as Cody re-holstered his revolver turning to the two lying motionless on the ground. "Buck!" Suddenly, Cody could make out Buck's arm moving below the feminine body. Soon both began moving and rolled over to sit up.

"Damn it, half breed, stay outta my business." She clutched her left arm as the blood flow became evident. Buck stood and offered his hand, but she quickly slapped it away trying to balance on one foot to stand. To no avail, Buck reached around to both of her arms and steadied her up to her feet. She just stared angrily into his eyes. "I don't need any help."

Cody replied, "Seems to me, those dead bodies tell otherwise."

"I knew they were there. For every snake you can see there's another one waiting in the brush. I was buying my time until you idiots started shooting." Buck smiled to himself. He had said almost the exact same thing once to a young and overly confident James Hickok.

Jane turned toward the horses waiting outside the saloon.

"Where are you headin'?" Buck followed close behind.

"A little town called Sweetwater. Anymore questions that don't concern you?" She shot back at him as she attempted to mount her horse with one hand.

Cody made his way up to them, "What're you doing in Sweetwater?"

Jane's frustration with the whole situation became evident in her eyes, "I'm meeting someone there, now if you don't mind I need to get going."

"You really should have someone take a look at that," Buck motioned to her arm.

"I've had worse." She began pulling her mount from the pole.

"We work in Sweetwater; we can at least accompany you there and make sure you don't get lost. The doc there's real good." Buck and Cody went to mount up.

"I don't need no company, half-breed. I know my way just fine." She glared once again at Buck.

"The name's Buck Cross and that there is Billy Cody. Think of it as another good deed. If we tag along with you, I won't have to listen to his singing all the way home." Buck gave her a quick smile.

Too tired to argue she gave in. "Fine." All three reared their horses and began to gallop out of Silver Springs.

Buck shouted, "Hey, Jane, you're welcome." He smiled at her in accomplishment.

Returning only a half smile Jane shouted back "Hey, Buck, the name's Dani." With that she kicked her mount into a run and headed down the trail.