Printers Daughter
Chapter 9

(Author's note: This is the happy conclusion to the story about Buck and his father. Earthdragon: don't worry, Buck's temper will show up soon.

Teaspoon is like the mentor I had when I was in training to become a Kiowa warrior. Older, wise, and caring. He puts on like he is a country bumpkin sometimes, but I have learned that inside he is a man wise in the way or the world and caring. So I talked to him about my father.

When James Cross first arrived in Rock Creek, he checked into the hotel. Then he went to the Marshall to ask about me. Teaspoon's first question was if I believed Mr. Cross was my father?

"Yes," I told him. "I was told two different stories about my father growing up. There was the Kiowa version, and then there was the story my mother told me. What James Cross told me lines up with what my mother said." I paused. "This is all very hard. When he was done telling me his story he apologized and asked me to forgive him."

"What did you do?"

"I walked away and came here."

Teaspoon sat for a minute thinking. "Well Buck, I don't know about the forgiving thing. That's something you've got to work through for yourself. But walking away from him like that, well, that's just plain rude-even to a white man. You ought to apologize for that. And I'm thinking you ought to spend some time talking to him. This might be the only time you get to talk to your pa. You have a chance to find out what kind of man he was and is. You ought to take it." After a moment he added, "Don't worry about your next ride. I'll have someone else take it. This is too important."

As usual, Teaspoon was right. I found my father-it is so very strange to think of calling someone that-at the Hotel, sitting in the lobby. He stood up when I came in. "Father, " I said, "I was rude when I left earlier. Please for give me." My father nodded. "I cannot make up my mind so suddenly. Can we take some time to talk? I want to know about you before" I paused "And after."

My father nodded his head. "I want to learn about your life as well, but that can wait. Shall we start with getting something to eat?"

I've learned, since my earliest days that the best way to learn about an individual is to not just listen to what they say, but also to watch their body language, etc. Watching my father talk was eerie. My Kiowa mentors had taught me that facial features and certain body language things are passed down from father to son, from mother to daughter. I had found this to be true. Watching my father talk was like watching myself. He tapped his fingers the same way when he was thinking. He had the same way of holding his head at certain times. How could this be? He never saw me. And yet, there it was. I bet he even snores when he sleeps.

After eating, we walked around town, still talking. I even took my Father over to the Express bunkhouse to meet the other riders. To say they were surprised was an understatement. The day flew by. All too soon I walked him back to the hotel. We had plans for breakfast.

Our plans for the day were changed during breakfast. A telegram messenger boy had a message for Father. As he read it he started cursing quietly. "Damn it Buck, i have to go back and fix a problem at the sawmill. Your brother is doing well, but there are some clients and certain problems that only I can handle. I was really hoping something like this wouldn't come up!"

We finished breakfast and then headed over to buy Pa's stage coach ticket. We only had a couple of hours. He went back to the hotel to pack. I went back to the bunkhouse. I had a neck piece that my mother used to wear. She said my father had given it to her. I intended to give it back to him. I had other mementos of her.

A bit later we met at the stage coach stop. It was time for the important things to be said. I gave my father, my Pa, the necklace. He recognized it. There were tears in his eyes. Then I told him that I forgave him. Yes, he did bad things with far reaching effects, but it wasn't my place to judge him. He cried, I cried, we hugged each other. It felt real good.

All too soon the stage was there and I was waving goodbye to a father I hadn't know I had. Then I walked over to the Marshall's office to let Teaspoon know how things had gone.

"So your Pa's off?" Teaspoon asked. I nodded. "You manage to forgive him?"

"Yes. I hadn't intended on it, but I kept seeing my mother and Maggie telling me it was right to do so. And in the end it was right."

"Well, that's good. Real good." Teaspoon picked up a set of papers. Before he left, your Pa asked me to give you this. He understood that you might not choose to forgive him, but he wanted to give you this anyway." He handed the paperwork to me.

First I read the letter from my father.
"Dear son,
I am writing this in a hurry. I wish we had more time. Hopefully you and your lovely bride can come visit me at some point. I know your brother would like to meet you. Or maybe I can come see you in Wyoming. It sounds beautiful.
Before I left home I talked to your brother about how to help you, should you indeed turn out to be my son. The saw mill and house go to your brother-he's my first born. But you deserve something too. Jimmie and I agreed on money. Now I'm glad we did. Please use this money to help start up your horse ranch. It's not as much as I'd like to give, but it's a start.
I am so very glad that we had a chance to connect.
Your loving and very proud father,
James Cross"

Then I looked at the paperwork from his bank. It was a very sizable amount of money and would help a great deal in starting the ranch. When I looked up at Teaspoon I knew I had tears in my eyes.

" I'd recommend you put that money in the bank. When you do leave, you can get a bank check. Easier to transport and less likely to be stolen."

"Thanks Teaspoon." He knew I didn't just mean the advice about the money. What an adventure this turned out to be! I was whistling as i went to the bank. Boy did I have a letter to write Maggie!