Chapter 25

A few days later Buck went into town, he had some business he needed to take care of. Tompkins had the door to the general store wide open, even though it was only early morning, it was sweltering. Buck was thinking it be a nice day to hit the swimming hole later with Lou...and maybe make use of the little cavern behind the waterfall again. Buck walked into the store, pausing a moment to let his eyes adjust to the dimness after being out in the bright sun.

"Mornin' Buck!" Tompkins called when he saw the Kiowa, while he helped a young woman with her purchases.

"Mornin' Tompkins." Buck said in greeting as he began to wander the store.

Buck paused and looked at a display of fancy smelling soaps and wondered if Lou would like them but quickly dismissed the idea when the smells reminded him of Kathleen. Buck made his way towards the ring case as the other customer left.

"How's Lou and that baby doing?" Tompkins asked coming over to Buck when they were alone.

"Doing good, Rider is growing. You should come out for a visit and see him. I know Lou would be glad to see you." Buck told him as he scanned the contents of the display.

"You finally gonna ask Lou to marry you?" Tompkins teased nodding his head towards the rings on display.

Buck laughed, "Actually were kinda already married, at least through Kiowa traditions."

"That so? Didn't know there was a tribe around these parts anymore." Tompkins stated, raising an eyebrow.

Buck knew what he was thinking, even though he had come to accept him, Tompkins still had a thing against Indians and he had good reason knowing what had happened to his wife. "No there aren't. My brother Red Bear came and performed the ceremony and then left right after to return to his people."

"Ah… so you're not going to have an actual white marriage?" Tompkins asked, he was trying not to sound racist, he had the upmost respect for Buck and Lou both and he wanted them to be accepted in town.

"Oh, we are. I asked Lou a few days ago." Buck told him, a little smirk turning up his lips.

"So, you need rings." Tompkins said with a grin.

"I need rings." Buck replied with a little nod of his head.

"See any you like? I can always order something different." Tompkins told Buck, knowing he'd point Buck in the right direction if Buck tried to pick a ring other than the one Lou had wanted.

Buck scanned the contents of the display again. None of them screamed Lou, at least until his eyes landed on a simple silver band with a little turquoise stone. Buck made a face as he debated with himself. It wasn't what one would call an engagement ring nor a wedding ring, but none of the others felt like Lou and there was even a matching silver band for him. Buck scratched the side of head and sighed, "I dunno… I like this one but it doesn't seem good enough for a wedding band."

Tompkins chuckled when Buck pointed to the exact ring that Lou had picked out for herself. "Buck, I have it on good authority that, that is the perfect ring for Lou."

"She picked it out, didn't she?" Buck asked an amused smirk on his face.

"Yup. Had me make sure I had a matching band to go with it." Tompkins told Buck.

Buck laughed at that, "Guess those are the ones then."

Tompkins took the rings from the case and brought them over to the counter to put in little bags. "So, when is the big day?" Tompkins asked as he figured up the total.

"I don't know yet. Probably just gonna have a small ceremony out at the ranch anyway. Just family and few friends, you'd be invited of course." Buck told him with a shrug.

"Ya ain't gonna be married in the church?" Tompkins asked a little surprised.

"Naw… the town may accept me for the most part, but they still don't like me in church with them on Sundays. I can't imagine they'd want me to get married there. Gonna be hard enough getting people to accept mine and Lou's marriage, might as well not add fuel to the fire." Buck explained, it pained him that he'd never truly be a valued member of Rock Creek, no matter what he did, he would always be just a half breed.

"I understand Buck." Tompkins told him, because he really did understand. He himself had not even wanted Buck to shop in his store not all that long ago. Some people would never accept him completely. "You just let me know when the big day is and I'll be out there."

"Thanks Tompkins … that really means a lot to me and Lou." Buck said as he passed over the money for the rings.

"You tell Lou, I'll be out to visit soon. See ya later Buck." Tompkins said shaking Buck's hand.

"Later Tompkins." Buck replied, tipping his hat as he made his way out of the store, the rings safely stowed in his pocket.

Buck made his way over to the Marshall's office to pay Sam a little visit, only to have Sam almost run right into him as he hastily exited his office. "Where's the fire Sam?" Buck asked laughing.

"Buck! Just the person I was coming to see. Step inside." Sam said, relief written all over his face as he opened the door to let Buck go in ahead of him.

Buck walked in the office and took a seat in one of the chairs in front of Sam's desk, Sam going around to his chair, "Is there a problem Sam?"

Sam sat down in his chair, propping his feet up on the desk and lighting a cigar before answering Buck, "Maybe."

"Maybe? Can ya give me a little more details Sam?" Buck asked leaning forward, arms resting on his knees.

Sam sighed and blew out a large puff of smoke, "I got more information on Ms. Devlin."

"And? She's gone, got fired for her lies." Buck said leaning back, crossing his foot over his knee.

"Thing is Buck … I'm not sure she's gone gone." Sam told him, causing Buck to sit up straight.

"What do you mean? Have you seen her? Do you have any reason to believe she's still in town?" Buck asked in rapid fire.

"Now I ain't seen her and ain't got any reason besides my own gut." Sam told him relaxing Buck a little.

"Then why do you think she's not gone?" Buck asked perplexed.

"Well the thing is, I got a little more information on the incident at the finishing school. Seems, Ms. Devlin had become obsessed with the other young lady involved, who was being courted by a wealthy young man. Devlin doesn't seem to take rejection well. It seems that the young lady did not agree to the bunking together." Sam explained.

"Wait… Sam are you saying Kathleen forced herself on that other girl?" Buck asked, his brows knitting together.

"That seems to be the case. Caused the poor girl to be kicked out as well even though she had done nothing wrong, her fella wanted nothing to do with her. Kathleen ruined the young woman's life because she was unhinged, obsessed. Much like the way she seems to be with you, Buck. I don't think we've seen the last of her. Not with everything y'all have told me she's tried since coming here. She's not well Buck. The director of the finishing school had recommended Mr. Devlin put Kathleen in an institution for treatment." Sam told him.

Buck rubbed his eyes with his hand, pinching the bridge of his nose. Of, course he would have gotten involved with someone mentally unstable. "So, what do we do? We don't know if she's coming back, and I can't have her cause anymore problems for Lou."

"Unfortunately, ain't nothing we can do… not until she shows herself again. Just be on your guard Buck, that's all I'm saying." Sam said, blowing another puff of smoke out.

"Thanks Sam, I'll be on my guard." Buck said as he stood and made his way to the door, turning back, "Oh, I almost forgot why I stopped by, Rachel said to tell you and Emma to come out for dinner tomorrow night."

"Sounds good, we'll see y'all tomorrow. Emma's been on me about taking her over to visit that baby. She ain't been feeling to good herself and hadn't felt like she could ride over by herself." Sam told him, as he put out his cigar.

"Is she alright? She doesn't need a doctor, does she?" Buck asked, he hated Emma was sick.

Sam smirked, "Not for about six more months give or take, I wager."

"Emma's pregnant?" Buck asked, excitement lighting up his face.

"Maybe… don't know for sure. But I'm pretty positive she is." Sam told him a little smugly.

"Lou will be so excited if she is." Buck told the lawman.

"Keep it to yourself until we know for sure. Hate to disappoint anyone." Sam replied.

"My lips are sealed. See ya later Sam." Buck said, opening the door to leave.

"See ya tomorrow Buck." Sam called back as Buck walked out of the building.

Buck returned to his horse, his eyes looking all around him. Surely the she-devil wasn't stupid enough to come back here? Buck shook his head as he mounted up and headed home. He decided not to tell Lou about Sam's suspicion about Kathleen. No sense in worrying her over something that would probably never happen and if she did come back, Lou still had the letter revealing her past. No Buck wasn't worried at all.