Cricket's mother rousted the girls in the morning and there was a flurry of activity in the room as Cricket and Violet got dressed up for church. They took turns doing each other's hair into very sophisticated up dos. Right before looking into the mirror, Violet showed Cricket a trick and pinched the apples of her cheeks. Both girls looked into the mirror and decided it was time to go. They rushed out of the house telling Cricket's parents they wanted to walk.
"Will you look at that," Cody said watching two pretty ladies walk by on their way to church.
Buck and Jimmy looked over to where Cody was pointing. They both smiled appreciatively looking the ladies up and down. Buck felt his lips curl into a goofy grin and then it struck him who he was looking at.
"Cody, that's Cricket and Violet," Buck sputtered. He tried to look away, but couldn't.
"Are you sure, Buck?" Jimmy asked feeling a little dirty. "Cricket and Violet are just little girls, and well, those two are ladies."
"Of course I'm sure, Hickok," Buck said. "Look closely."
Jimmy and Cody both looked over and quickly averted their eyes after they recognized them too.
"We're going to hell, Hickok," Cody said.
"Yes, we are," Jimmy agreed.
"But what a way to go," Cody said smiling.
"Cody!" Jimmy and Buck said together and pulled Cody's hat over his eyes.
Jimmy and Cody decided to go to church and repair the damage to their souls, while Buck began chopping firewood and muttering to himself.
It was a warm day and Buck was working up quite a sweat as his stack of chopped firewood grew. Buck took his shirt off and put his vest back on over his bare chest. He couldn't believe he had been looking at Cricket that way. Cricket was his friend. She was too young for him to have been thinking of her that way even if he didn't recognize her at the time. Buck pulled his work gloves back over his hands and began chopping more firewood.
At the end of church Cricket and Violet stepped outside. Cricket looked over to the station and found Buck. He was chopping firewood and by the look of the pile he was making, she thought he might be troubled. Nobody needed that much firewood this time of year. He was chopping as if on a mission. Cricket was concerned.
"Violet, I think there's something wrong with Buck," Cricket said leading her friend over to the Pony Express station.
Buck was so distracted by his own thoughts he didn't even hear the girls approach.
"Buck, is everything alright?" Cricket asked.
Buck jumped back startled by the intrusion to thoughts. He looked over at the object of his frustration. She looked older. It was disconcerting.
"I'm fine, why?" Buck stammered setting the ax down.
"You've got enough firewood chopped to heat the bunkhouse throughout the next couple of winters," Violet answered gently.
"Oh," Buck said holding his vest closed with crossed arms. "I guess I had a lot on my mind."
"Anything we could help you with?" Cricket asked.
"No, no, I don't need any help," Buck said quickly.
"Okay," Cricket said, "Well, we just stopped by to say hello."
Cricket and Buck just stood there not knowing what to do or say next. Violet covered her mouth with the tip of her hand and tried very hard to suppress her urge to giggle.
"Um, hello?" Buck said in an unsure voice.
"Well Cricket and I have to go now, don't we Cricket?" Violet said trying to diffuse the awkward scene that was unfolding in front of her.
Cricket acted like she didn't even hear Violet.
"Violet fixed this dress up for me and did my hair," Cricket announced.
"You look very pretty," Buck said. He cringed a little inwardly as soon as the words escaped his lips. Now he was in a bind. He couldn't say he didn't mean it otherwise it would hurt Cricket's feelings and she was beaming. But at the same time he meant it more as a compliment to Violet. He didn't want to lead Cricket on. Although it wasn't a lie, she did look pretty.
"She sure does," Lou said coming to Buck's rescue. "Let me see."
Cricket let Lou twirl her around. Cricket and Violet started to tell Lou all about the dress and their slumber party as Lou deftly led them away from the station.
"You handled that well, Buck," Cody said as he put a hand on Buck's shoulder.
Buck put his face in his hands for a few seconds then abruptly grabbed the ax and started to chop more firewood.
Lou put her arm around Cricket as she started to walk the girls back toward their waiting parents. None of them was aware of the presence of Maryellen who was seething from behind a nearby maple tree.
Maryellen had had it with Cricket. She wouldn't listen so she must be dealt with. Maryellen didn't know what she was going to do. She almost, even though it was sort of accidental, killed Cricket the last time they clashed so she really wasn't sure what would make the girl see reason. Maybe she should attack the thing she cared about most: Her precious Buck. Maryellen flashed an evil grin as a plan formulated in her mind. With any luck she could get courted by Lou and see the Indian hang by the end of the week.
Maryellen gathered her friends on the way to school the next morning and told them the plan. Hattie was a little uncomfortable with the whole thing but the other girls pressured her into following the plan. They just needed to find the right opportunity or if all else failed they needed to create the opportunity. The four girls watched as Buck took the handoff from Kid and rode out of town. He was gone for at least part of the day so they would have to wait until he came back. All they needed to do was get him away from the station alone.
After school the girls gathered again and watched as Buck rode in and handed the Express pouch to Cody. He disappeared into the barn to take care of his horse. From the barn he went into the bunkhouse. It surprised them all when he came back out again. He had changed his clothes and had a bed roll at his side. He started walking toward the outside of town and he was alone. This was the opportune time. The other three girls helped Maryellen get all set up. They helped her tear her dress and messed up her hair. Audrey even smacked Maryellen a couple of times to split her lip and to cause some light bruising on her face. Hattie and Melanie rubbed some dirt on her face and clothes.
The three friends looked over their work and pronounced it perfect. They left Maryellen out in the elements for the final piece of distress. Of course she had some blankets to keep her warm and took shelter in Melanie's parents' barn, but that was beside the point. Maryellen would stumble into town in the morning with quite a story to tell.
Buck just needed to clear his head. It seemed drama with Cricket happened in spurts. It had been mostly quiet for weeks and now this. The poor girl had been through a lot lately and it seemed knowing him was doing her way more harm than good. He knew he promised Cricket that he would be her friend even though those girls teased her. He was starting to have second thoughts especially after she nearly drown, that maybe he shouldn't be her friend anymore. It would be safer for her.
On the other hand, none of this was her fault and she shouldn't be punished for what a few spoiled girls were doing. Maybe if he just tried to stay on the fringe he could be a friend and not become drawn into the conflict. Maybe that was the better course of action. Buck sat back against a tree, closed his eyes, and let the noises of twilight fill his thoughts. There was nothing he liked better than to hear the sounds of the earth. He needed to do more of this. In the white world he sometimes felt his connection to the earth weaken. It was times like now where he just needed to listen to the earth and know he was alright. He decided to stay the night and listen to the sounds he had been too busy to hear. In the morning he would pray to the rising sun. Maybe he would get some clarity then.
About an hour after sunrise, Buck walked back into the station and went to sleep. He had been up all night meditating and he was kind of tired. He had the day off today and the others were out doing chores. Breakfast was over, so his sleep wouldn't be interrupted. Buck was just about asleep when he heard a lot of yelling. It sounded like Teaspoon was defending one the riders again. Buck just wanted to sleep so he put the pillow over his head. He didn't want to know what one of his friends did now. He was sure he would find out anyhow and just hoped it would be later.
Buck heard the bunkhouse door open and tried to pretend he was asleep. Maybe the person who entered would turn around and leave. His hopes were dashed when he heard Teaspoon's voice.
"Wake up, Son," Teaspoon said while giving Buck a gentle shake. "I need to ask you some questions."
Buck sat up confused. Why would Teaspoon need to ask him anything?
"Teaspoon, I just got in," Buck said, "Can't this wait until later. I didn't see anyone do anything."
"Buck, I need to know where you were last night," Teaspoon said seriously.
"I was out by that stand of trees near widow's knoll, why?" Buck answered.
"Anybody see you?" Teaspoon asked.
"No," Buck answered.
"Damn," Teaspoon said.
"Teaspoon, what's this all about?" Buck asked with his concern growing.
"A young girl was attacked last night," Teaspoon answered soberly. "She said you done it."
"Teaspoon, that's crazy," Buck said defensively, "I would never do something like that."
"I know," Teaspoon said. "Since you ain't got no alibi for last night I'm gonna have to lock you up."
"Teaspoon, you know I didn't do it," Buck protested and sitting upright.
"I'll sort it out, Buck," Teaspoon reassured him. "But I'm going have to put you in jail until I do. You'll be safer there."
Buck could hear the rumbling of the crowd outside and looked back at Teaspoon. "The people out there don't want me in Jail do they?" he asked.
"No, they reckon you're guilty," Teaspoon answered. "Jimmy, Kid, Noah, and Cody will help me get you to the jail safely."
Buck swallowed hard and looked at Teaspoon with an expression of panic.
"It'll be alright, Son," Teaspoon said putting a hand on Buck's arm. "I'll make sure of it."
Teaspoon and the riders got Buck safely across town to the jail. Buck walked into the cell and laid down on the cot. This was not how he had envisioned his day. He knew this was a giant mistake, but he couldn't prove it. Teaspoon had the riders taking turns hanging around the jail just to make sure no one decided to take the law into their own hands. After he calmed himself of the worry, Buck was able to drift off to sleep.
Cricket sat on the jailhouse floor and poked her face between the bars of Buck's cell. She was really worried. Maryellen had gone too far this time. She was angry, but couldn't keep her focus on that anger. She looked at Buck. He was sleeping and he looked so pretty. She remembered a part in her book where Tristan was framed for murder and Helena kept vigil next to his cell against her father's wishes. Metal bars could not quiet their hunger for each other. Cricket stifled a giggle and pulled out the book and turned to the page she was looking for.
Tristan paced nervously in his jail cell. He knew why he was there. He was there because of his love for Helena. Well, the bars of his cell could not contain the love he felt for her. He saw her come through the doors of the jailhouse and the look on her face stopped his heart. He reached for her from behind the bars and she came like a moth to the flame.
Tears trembled on Helena's eyelids and slowly found their way down her cheeks. It was so unfair that her Tristan was here. He would never hurt anyone. Helena pressed her body up against the bars. Swallowing the sob that rose in her throat, she looked deeply into his eyes. Tristan reached his work worn hand up and held her delicate face. He didn't know what his future held if he had one at all. He suddenly pulled her toward him crushing her body against the bars and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss left her warm and confused, but she knew there was hope. She broke the kiss and vowed to save him.
She sighed heavily and Buck began to stir. Cricket knew what she needed to do. She needed to clear Buck's name and that would start with a visit to Maryellen.
Maryellen was still at the doctor's office resting. Cricket knocked gently on the door and the doctor let her in. She asked if she could see Maryellen. The doctor took her name and went inside to check on his patient. Cricket looked around the room. There was all manner of interesting contraptions hanging on the walls and the whole place had a peculiar smell. Cricket figured it must be a mixture of all the medicine that gets kept around a doctor's office. The doctor came out a little while later and told Cricket she could visit with her friend for a few minutes.
Cricket walked in the room where Maryellen was resting and sat down in a spindle chair next to her bed. Maryellen just looked over at her and smirk.
"I wondered how long it would take you to come here," Maryellen said tauntingly.
"I know Buck didn't do this to you," Cricket said accusingly. "I want you to take it back."
"I could be persuaded to do that," Maryellen said cloyingly. "If..."
"If what?" Cricket asked. She would do just about anything to clear Buck's name.
"I warned you to stay away from Lou," Maryellen said angrily. "Now you can see I meant it."
Cricket's expression hardened. She hated that Maryellen was using her friends as pawns.
"What do want me to do?" Cricket asked almost emotionlessly.
"I want you to get Lou to court me," Maryellen said. "The two of you looked pretty chummy, and I want you to use your influence on him."
"Then you'll tell the truth and clear Buck's name?" Cricket asked seriously.
"Then I'll think about it," Maryellen answered smugly. "I'm sure I can come up with more things for you to do for me too."
Cricket got up and walked toward the door. She was too angry at Maryellen to think straight and she needed help with the plan. She decided to wander back to the jailhouse and see if Buck was awake yet.
Buck was still sleeping so Cricket sat back down on the floor and put her head between the bars again. She was frowning and moping. Teaspoon looked at her curiously.
"Are you alright, Sweetheart?" Teaspoon asked.
"No, Teaspoon, I'm not, but I'm in better shape than Buck," she answered.
"Anything I can do to help?" he asked.
"Maybe," Cricket answered. "I'm going to try to clear Buck, but I don't have a good plan."
"I'm pretty good with plans," Teaspoon volunteered. "Maybe I can help."
"I went to see Maryellen," Cricket said.
"Oh, I see," Teaspoon commented.
"She said she'd think about clearing Buck's name if I did something for her," Cricket reported. "I knew she was lying."
Teaspoon's eyes narrowed. He had questioned Maryellen himself and warned her about what her accusations could do to another person. He wanted her to be sure, because it wouldn't be so easy to undo if she was mistaken. Now to find that Maryellen was playing a game with Buck's life, really got Teaspoon's dander up.
"I'm sorry, Teaspoon," Cricket said turning to look at Teaspoon. "This is entirely my fault. If I had just..."
"Cricket this ain't your fault," Teaspoon said with controlled anger. "That girl is just mean spirited. Buck and Rachel both have been telling me how she's been tormenting you."
"But that's just it," Cricket defended. "If I didn't like Buck so much she would have just left him alone."
Buck slowly opened his eyes as he listened to the conversation happening in front of him. He tried to control his anger at the situation. He knew none of this was Cricket's fault. She was as much of a victim of this girl as he was. Honestly, he had been feeling almost the same things as Cricket. He thought knowing him was bringing her pain and torment, but now he realized that Maryellen was just bad to the core and it wouldn't have mattered. Maryellen wanted to hurt Cricket and she'd find a way to do it no matter who else she hurt in the process.
"Sweetheart, that girl is unhappy and just plain mean," Teaspoon said. "If it weren't you, it'd be someone else. You didn't do anything wrong."
"Yeah, but..."
"No 'buts' about it," Teaspoon said, "Now why don't you go to on over to the station. The rest of the boys are there trying to come up with a plan too and I think you could help them out with that."
"Alright, Teaspoon," Cricket said getting up to leave. "Will you tell Buck I came by to check on him?"
"I sure will," Teaspoon said grinning as he watched Buck close his eyes.
Cricket wandered over to the bunkhouse and heard the riders trying to talk over each other. She opened the door and moved to the table and sat beside Jesse. She put her elbows on the table and propped her head up and just watched as Jimmy and Kid argued with each other on the best way to help Buck.
"What's the matter, Cricket?" Jesse asked over the others. The other voices faded and looked over at the forlorn girl sitting at the table.
"I went to see Maryellen," Cricket said, "Tried to make her see reason. It's hopeless."
"Come on, Cricket," Jesse said, "You never give up. I know there's a plan in your head somewhere."
"It would never work," she said.
"Why don't you let us be the judge of that," Kid said kindly.
"Well, you see, she has a crush on one you riders," Cricket said, "And she said she would be willing to 'think' about changing her story about Buck if I set her up with the rider she likes. It is hopeless. There is no guarantee that she would change the story if I did and that would draw another person into her web."
"Well, I think that should be our decision," Cody said, "I would be willing to escort her somewhere if it helps get Buck cleared and I think the rest of us would too."
Cricket squirmed a little.
"Well, who does she have her mean little eyes on?" Cody probed.
Cricket muttered something so softly the other riders couldn't hear her.
"I'm sorry, Cricket, but I don't think any of us actually heard you," Kid said.
"It will never work," Cricket said frustrated. "She likes Lou."
There was shocked silence and then a few laughs as the boys processed the information.
"I think you underestimate this revelation, Cricket," Cody said smiling. "I think we can beat Maryellen at her own game."
"Hold on," Kid said protectively, "I don't think it is a good idea for Lou to get involved. Her secret might get out."
"I think that should be Lou's decision," Jimmy said standing square to Kid as if making a challenge.
"And I really do think it should be my decision," Lou said with a bit of sarcasm in her voice, "But thanks for your concern, Jimmy."
The bunkhouse was quiet for a few moments as the riders and Cricket tried to figure out a plan.
"I want to do this for Buck," Lou said finally. "I'll deal with the consequences. Buck's life is on the line not mine."
"Lou, are you sure?" Kid asked.
Lou looked at all the faces around the table and nodded. "Let's try not to let my secret out, but if it comes to that I'm prepared to let it out," she said.
Cricket started to cry silently to herself. Lou noticed and asked the boys to give her a few minutes. The boys obliged and left Lou and Cricket alone in the bunkhouse.
"Hey, Sweetie, what's the matter?" Lou asked.
"This is all my fault," Cricket lamented. "If you all weren't my friends then none of this would ever have happened."
"Look at me, Cricket," Lou said turning Cricket's face toward her.
"I won't let you take responsibility for Maryellen's bad behavior," Lou admonished. "This is the right thing to do. Buck is like a brother to me and I would do this to save him no matter what kind of trouble he was in or what caused it. I would do it for any of them."
"Well, then I have an idea," Cricket said wiping her eyes. "I mean if you're up to it."
"Should I get the rest of the boys in here?" Lou asked.
"Yep, I'm going to need everyone's help if we're going to pull this off," Cricket said, "It is time Maryellen learns exactly who she's dealing with."
"There's my girl!" Lou said smiling.
A/N I'm in tech rehearsals for theatre production this week so the last chapter might not get posted until the weekend...
